His Rejected Luna

4.

Celeste

Challenger Learning Center

Tallahassee, Florida

Thankfully, my group hadn’t gotten very far without me. Even though it was my last day working at the learning center, I didn’t want to leave with a poor impression. I wasn’t the type of person to just phone it in, and I still wanted to count on Kevin for a glowing recommendation. After all, I was planning on finding another job after my wedding day.

The thought of my impending nuptials and Mr. Nix made my stomach coil into tight knots. What was that guy thinking? It practically went without saying he wasn’t the first man to make a pass at me during a tour, but usually it was just that—a pass. No one had gone so far as to lay a hand on me, much less kiss me before.

And it was right out of my dream, too.

I was literally living out what I’d dreamt the night before, except, well, I’d cut it short. Something about that man made me feel like an asteroid trapped in a planet’s gravity belt. Heck, what’s wrong with me? Hot or not, I hadn’t invited those advances, and I was an engaged woman. It didn’t matter if I’d felt drawn to him or not, I shouldn’t have even been thinking about the guy. It was probably just an after-effect of the dream.

Doing my best to ignore my sticky wet panties, I guided the group to our lunar landing exhibit. I was halfway through explaining the landmark event when someone joined our group. I turned, about to query where the latecomer had been, when we locked eyes.

You, I thought venomously.

I felt the skin prickle on the back of my neck and turned back to the group, but Aiden and I only looked at each other again as I continued my monologue. I can’t believe this man has the nerve to continue the tour after that stunt!

But I wasn’t going to let him get the better of me, and I certainly wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of thinking I was still thinking about him. It still seemed entirely unreal to me that I’d actually dreamed this man up the night before, and yet here he was.

It’s not like I’m a psychic or something. These dreams aren’t real, after all.

I needed to stop puzzling over it. As good as I was at my job, it did require at least some of my thought process, especially if the little girl in front kept asking questions.

I certainly wouldn’t ask her to stop. That was the best part of my job, really, introducing children (especially girls, because I could see myself standing there) to the wonders of science and space.

He must be a celebrity or something. I probably scanned over some article he was in and forgot about it. Saw a picture.

That made sense. There was no other reason I could have pictured him exactly. Not with those eyes—

Celeste!

There was something off about him. It was this strange, magnetic pull, except it wasn’t something warm and fuzzy. It made you feel like you’d follow him anywhere. It felt like jumping off a cliff, but you couldn’t see the bottom, and you didn’t know when you’d hit or what you’d hit.

Yeah, he’s definitely a celebrity.

Those types of people had a natural charisma, for better or worse, and it would certainly explain his brazen attitude. He was probably used to women fawning all over him. In fact, making eye contact with him was probably giving him an invitation.

Ugh. Gross.

It certainly put a damper on the dream I’d had the night before, but that was probably for the best anyway. I felt kind of strange dreaming about anyone besides Ben. While I hadn’t admitted this little detail to Abi, I’d spent quite a bit of time this morning Googling what it meant to have a s*x dream about someone who wasn’t your partner. The internet assured me it was a perfectly normal phenomenon and didn’t indicate there was anything wrong with me, but a few sites had suggested the same thing my best friend had: Ben and I weren’t sexually compatible, and my subconscious was exploring other options.

It’s too late to get cold feet now.

He had popped the question, and I had said yes.

Did I think things would get better if we were engaged? Yes. Yes, I did. Were they getting better right now? No, not really. I knew, academically speaking, this probably didn’t bode well for tying the knot, but… breaking up with him weeks before the wedding seemed like a particularly cruel act, and it wasn’t like he was a bad person. Not at all.

You’re overthinking it, Celeste. Lots of people probably lose their s*x drive right before a wedding because of nerves. He’s probably just nervous, like you. The wedding night will be great, and after that… well, one step at a time.

“Excuse me?” The little girl at the front of the group asked, interrupting my anxious thoughts. She fiddled with her ponytail. “Are we going to get to see the sky projector today?”

I beamed at her, honestly relieved to get out of my own head. “Yes!” I answered cheerfully, forcing my uneasy feelings to the back burner. I motioned with a hand as I led my group away from the lunar exhibit toward the planetarium’s theater. “Our tours always end with a showing.”

It was a short walk to the theater, and I opened the door to allow everyone inside. To my relief, Mr. Nix didn’t loiter near the door, taking a seat just like everyone else. As soon as the projection started, I slipped away. Normally I’d hang around—I never got tired of viewing the night sky—but right now I needed to talk to Abigail.

Fortunately, Abi was in the projection room as usual. I pulled her to the side as soon as she was done fiddling with the machines.

“Abi,” I hissed, glancing around, even though I was sure we were alone. “You will never believe what just happened.”

“What?” she asked, spinning around in her chair. Her expression changed once she caught sight of me. “What happened?”

I snorted and shook my head, still unable to shake the feeling he’d left me with. “Some guy kissed me on the tour.” Somehow that wasn’t even the wildest part. “Abi, he looked just like the guy from the dream I was telling you about. Like, right down to the eyes.”

Abi frowned, leaning back in her chair. “Oh hell, Celeste, you had me worried there for a second.”

I scowled. “I’m being serious.”

She looked dubious. “Celeste, I love you, and I know you are not the type of girl to go around kissing strangers, and that was even when you were single.” She stared at me a moment longer, however, and the doubtful expression suddenly crumbled, giving way to horror. “Oh my God. Celeste! You’re serious!” She wheeled closer to grab my hand. “What the f**k? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I frowned, giving her fingers a little squeeze. “I was stunned for a second, but once I pushed him off, he got the picture.”

I think he got the picture anyway. He didn’t follow me or touch me again. It still unnerved me, though, when he opted to finish the tour, but maybe he was just trying to play it off like it didn’t happen.

Whatever. That guy doesn’t deserve to live in your head rent free. I literally just met him. And I’m not seventeen! I can’t just form an obsession with a man I don’t know.

Abi exhaled, pursing her lips. “You’re sure? I can call Ray down from security if you want.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine.” I didn’t want to make a big scene on my last day, no matter how out of line he’d been, and especially if he was a celebrity or someone prestigious. The learning center was popular, but it was still a museum. It wasn’t like they had money lying around if the guy accused me of something and tried to sue. Besides, that would definitely ruin my chances at a future career. No one would care whether or not I was telling the truth. I’d be labeled as a woman who cried wolf.

My friend gave me a long look and then sighed, sitting back and letting go of my hand. “If you’re sure.” I nodded, so she shrugged and looked back toward the theater. “At least show me the guy, yeah? I know it’s your last day, but if he comes back…”