By Chance: Fate Finds You

Six --{-@

"You better f*****g dish. NOW."

Ari sat on the couch, putting her mug on the end table, and pulled her legs up into the seat cushion with her. "That was not the blind date. That was a guy who I brought home from work last night."

Cady dropped her purse on the kitchen counter, and turned to open the cupboard and grab a mug for coffee, "THAT was walking s*x, and your answer was not an answer. Details."

She filled her mug with coffee, added one tiny squirt of chocolate, and came over to sit over on the couch as Ari recounted everything from the night before.

"...and then we came back here," Ari finished, shyly taking another sip of her drink before setting it down again.

Cady wasn't finished, "AND?" she inquired, waving her hand in an encouraging motion. "You what? Did your taxes? Played Monopoly? Vacuumed the rugs?" she grinned knowingly, "How was it?" she asked, waggling her eyebrows over another sip of coffee.

Ari didn't take the bait to give details. Instead she asked, "What's up with the surprise visit?"

Cady knew she wasn't going to get any more than she had already gotten, "You weren't answering my texts, so I went by the club to see of you had fallen asleep in your office again. When I went in, your purse and phone were on the desk but you weren't, so I grabbed them and drove your car here. Keys are in my bag."

Cady the Life Saver. Ari blew her a kiss as thanks before standing and putting her hand out for Cady's mug. Cady handed it over, and Ari went to the counter to get her another cup of coffee for both of them, adding appropriate amounts of chocolate to each. She returned to the couch and handed her friend the fresh refill and sat down again. Cady looked at her over the rim of her cup expectantly.

"Are you going to tell me the name of the Adonis that walked away like he was already in love, or what? Wait! He wasn't actually Adonis, was he??"

Ari cackled loudly, "No, he is not actually Adonis! He was mortal, he just boned a goddess. That was Bin."

"Bin....?"

Ari balked as she realized she didn't know his last name. Or how old he actually was. Or anything at all. Did he like seafood? Did he have any nasty habits, like chewing with his mouth open or taking food into the bathroom? Ari didn't know!

Cady caught the hint, and giggled into her coffee, "Looks like you'll get more chances to find out. So does this mean the blind date is -" she finished her sentence by making a slicing motion across her throat with her hand.

Ari's smile faded, "Probably not. I already confirmed plans, and I really don't want to deal with my mom."

As if on cue, Ari's phone buzzed in her bag that was sitting next to Cady's on the counter. Ari got up and fished it out, checking the screen.

"We should stop talking about her. It gives her power," she said as she flipped the phone to show Cady that it was her mother texting.

She turned it back to herself, swiping to read the text.

it read, followed by several emoji hearts.

"Ugh, she's sending me something. Judging by lack of details, I'm not going to like it."

Cady snickered, "Probably a love potion. Don't drink it if it's purple."

Marian did have a knack for acquiring more than the average mortal when it came to magical items and whatnots, even for the lover of a god. Apparently, creatures and gods couldn't even resist her nagging.

"I'll be on the lookout."

--{-@

Cady had left a couple hours ago, leaving Ari to go about her usual routine. She'd tidied up, made some some lunch, called the club to let Kenzie know she was okay. She was sitting on her couch with her laptop, looking over the rest of the month's events calendar, when the doorbell rang. She gave a little startled squeak, nearly toppling her computer, but recovered quickly and got up to answer the door, curious.

No one was there, just a small package, wrapped in green paper. Mother, she remembered. This was a familiar supernatural delivery system, where the package delivered itself. Her mom used it often. Ari picked it up and brought it inside, opening it as she went.

Inside was a cute pink jewelry box, with a note on top 'Something pretty for my Pretty. Happy birthday. Mom.' it read. Ari smiled as she opened the top to reveal a simple gold chain with a Delicate 'A' attached as a charm. Mom didn't forget to get her a real gift. Ari smiled softly, thinking about how maybe the woman wasn't so terrible after all. Still, she sniffed it and looked at it carefully to make sure it wasn't soaked in love potion or anything. Deciding it was safe, she put it on and waited for a few seconds. It felt fine, Ari thought guiltily. Her mom was just being nice for once. Ari put the box down and went to get ready for her the date, turning her wrist back and forth to let the think chain twinkle in the light.

--{-@

Ari stood in front of her rows of clothes in her closet. What to wear? She didn't want to come off as desperate, or even overtly interested, but she also didn't need a report going back to her mother that she had purposefully blown the date.

Mucca was pretty swanky. She finally opted for the black off-the-shoulder sweater she'd bought the day before, with a baby pink silk camisole underneath, and a her sharkskin black pencil skirt.

Cute, dignified, simple.

She brushed her hair into glossy waves and pinned one side up with a simple gold comb. Foregoing her usual style, she kept her makeup muted to pinks and browns, and didn't bother with any eyeliner. She checked herself out in the mirror.

"I look like I'm going to an interview," she whined.

But she was wasn't she? Interviewing for a job she didn't really want? Interviewing for a job her mom got her? Ari shook her head. She needed to get out of this s**t mood if she was going to give it a real shot. She had promised to try, and she kept her promises.

"Here's your one chance, Fancy, don't let me down!" she sing-songed as she turned away from the mirror.

Popping the shimmery gloss she was wearing to reapply later into her purse, she grabbed her things and went out the door.