Sapphics are, stereotypically, a superstitious group, but Kiara is the most into the woo out of anyone I know. She’s been doing little rituals since I’ve known her, and Val always indulges her, even though she’s not a spiritual person, herself.

“It makes her so happy when I participate,” Val explained to me once. “So I can’t say no.”

Kiara places a yellow cushion on the floor for me so it joins the other two already there. But as I sit down, I realize I have no idea what I’m manifesting. A new job? I’m happy with my current one, and if this modern love project does well, it’ll hopefully make things even better. A new relationship? I’m happy with how things are with Celeste and me. Even though it’s temporary.

Stumped, I sit down on my cushion and stare into one of the candles.

Kiara starts by asking us to share what we’re manifesting.

“A promotion,” Val says. “They’re making me do twice the amount of work I signed up for, and it’s time I got better pay for it. Or find a better job, but I like working with you two, so… we’ll see. What about you, hon?”

“A better place in the Ticketmaster queue for Beyoncé’s next tour,” Kiara says rapidly, like she’s recited this multiple times. “Life’s been good lately, but I still haven’t fully recovered from us missing the Renaissance tour! As cool as the movie version was, I need to see my queen live and in the flesh!”

“Don’t worry, babe,” replies Val. “Next time, it’s going to be all hands on deck. I don’t care if we need to go on PTO to virtually stand in line or what, because we are getting the tickets before the scalpers drive up the prices.” She makes a determined fist.

I feel a twinge of guilt. Trying to get tickets for the Renaissance tour was yet another thing I missed while I was wrapped up in my life with James.

“I’ll help, too,” I say. “I’ll take the whole day off if I need to.”

“Aw!” Kiara wraps us both in her arms. “I love you guys!”

Both my friends then turn to me.

“How about you, Gemma?” Val asks. “What are you manifesting?”

I let out a nervous laugh. “Well, I was thinking about how everything is finally good for me now, too. I’m almost done with the project for Evelyn. And my thing with Celeste—”

Kiara gasps, cutting me off. “That’s right! How’s that going?”

“It’s been great,” I reply. “I’m really happy right now. I almost wish it didn’t have to end so soon.”

“Soon?” Kiara says with a frown.

“Yup. We’re only seeing each other until we finish this project. Afterward, Celeste is returning to LA and that’ll be that.”