“I’m gathering everyone downstairs for a game,” I say.

“A game?” Eden asks.

“This is a game I play with the guests who elect to do the group readings since we have more unstructured time.”

“Can I ask you something first?” Rick asks.

“We don’t need to drag her into this. This is between us,” Eden says.

“I was describing the revelation that came over me at the Moon Men event last night. It explains why I personally am attracted to a nontraditional relationship.”

“She knows about our situation,” Eden says sheepishly. She looks down at her feet, knowing how much more information I have from our reading. That Eden is having a secret affair, that she is craving monogamy with this new man. She doesn’t know I saw her and Adam on the lawn later that night. Either way, I would never betray her confidence. That’s her fate, not mine.

“She also knows why I’m about to ask you to change it,” Rick says to Eden. We both look at him, but I’m not connecting the dots.

“What’s the number-one tenet of polyamory?” Rick asks.

“Communication,” Eden says.

“And specifically, consent,” Rick says.

The dots are merging for me now.

“I once had an experience where the woman suggested I didn’t have consent. In the arrangement you and I have, there’s nothing unsaid. We are up-front and honest with each other, and with any potential third partner. There’s nothing implied. It’s all express.”

“I don’t see what that has to do with the past and this woman,” Eden says.

“I was horrified when I’d learned what she thought of our encounter. Horrified. I am not that guy, Eden.”

“I know. Of course, I know that.”

“I have spent my whole adult life leaning into express consent as if the quantity of encounters where I received it could erase that one terrible interaction where I didn’t have it.”

“That actually makes sense, from a psychological perspective,” I add, reminding them that I’m witnessing this very tender and private moment.

“What if we try monogamy?” Rick asks.

Eden’s face lights up. “Are you sure?”

In my reading Eden thought she was choosing between two men, one who represented a past decision, another who represented a future promise. She had never considered that the same man could be both.

“I haven’t thought about it for long, but it came to me as strong as—”

A bolt of lightning illuminates the sky outside the window. The three of us turn to watch its beauty fade. A crash of thunder follows two seconds later.

“As strong as that,” Rick says.

“That seems like a perfect note to go downstairs and gather the rest of the group for our friendly little game. You two can go first,” I say.

I walk down the main stairs into the living room, where a full dance party is happening. No one notices me cross the room and pick up my sound bowl. I give it a quick tap with my fingertips.

“I thought we’d play a game,” I announce.

Rick and Eden take the center seats on the couch, cuddled together. Aimee turns off the music and the group files into the living room.

“What the hell is this?” Adam asks. His voice is nearly a shout, as if he didn’t realize the music had stopped. Eden looks up at him, a quick glance no one else would notice if they weren’t already paying attention to their dynamic. Adam recovers but takes a seat in one of the chairs with a huff.

“This is a game I play with the guests who elect to do the group readings.”

“Truth or dare?” Ted guesses, his voice slurring on the th in truth.

“It’s called fate or free will. I’ll ask about something that happened in your lives, and you say whether you thought it was fate or free will. I will look in your chart to see if I can get an indication of what forces were at play.”

“Oh, this sounds fun,” Margot says. “Can I go first?”

“Actually, Eden and Rick were here first, so they’re up. Okay, your meet-cute—fate or free will?”

“Fate, for sure,” Rick says.

“When was it?” I ask.

“Fourth of July, 2020.”

“During the pandemic and a Venus retrograde in Gemini. For both of you that’s two strong checkmarks on the side of free will.”

“It wasn’t fate?” Rick asks.

“Does that mean we’re not supposed to be together?” Eden asks.

“It means your meeting was a random encounter, but your souls can still be fated,” I say. “Soulmates can’t miss each other. The Universe will keep trying until you get it right.”

I look over at Adam, who wears a grimace. He doesn’t like me supporting his current girlfriend leaving him. It’s my time to pounce.

“Adam, you’ve opted out of a lot of my activities, which is obviously your free will, but I have a special question you’re fated to answer this weekend.”

“When do I get to go?” Margot asks.

I slip my hand into my pocket again and tap the voice recorder. “Fate or free will, your biggest fan falling for you?”

“Did you just say his biggest fan falling for him?” Aimee repeats. “I knew it.” She jumps up from the edge of the couch and runs out of the room. Even with the storm raging outside, her stomping and cursing echo through the house. Aimee returns with her arms full of novels. As she makes her way to the couch, they tumble from her grasp with a thud, leaving a tail behind her. I don’t understand, but my moment is already getting away from me.

“It’s you. You’re trying to steal my husband,” Aimee says. “You left me a note that says I shouldn’t be here. I’m in your way.”

“What? No. Aimee, you’ve got this all wrong,” I say. She’s confused and thwarting my plan with her projection.

“I saw the books in the library. I thought Adam would be so happy. ‘Rini’s a fan of your work.’ But so are thousands of women. I didn’t put it together.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask. “Those are Audra Rose novels.”