There’s been a slight change of plans. No big deal. Apparently one of the panelists dropped out, and she’s being replaced. I know you did your research on everyone to ask them specific questions, but you may need to improvise a little,” Alisha says reassuringly. We stand together backstage at The Theatre at Ace Hotel, waiting for the live podcast to start.
“Do you know who it is?” I ask suspiciously. Please don’t let it be Bennett.
“They didn’t say. It’s supposed to be an all-women panel, though,” she says, as though reading my mind. “There will be four of you up there.”
I push down the growing stress about my article that was sent out yesterday. Since it went live, it’s been shared around on social media…a lot. The only reason I know is because Lunar Love has never been tagged so many times before. Good for Lunar Love. Bad for Bennett.
Still dialed in to the same wavelength, Alisha adds, “It’s a good thing you made that article anonymous with CakeGirl. I thought it read a little harsh, but it’s not like ZodiaCupid is playing fair. When I searched through the folders, that’s the only one I found. I should’ve checked with you before I sent it out. I’m so sorry.”
I wince. “You have nothing to be sorry about. It was completely my fault. I should never have put my emotions on paper like that. It was…awful.”
“Hopefully it’ll just disappear in a few days,” Alisha says. “Maybe Bennett won’t even see it. He’s busy, right?”
Not quite. I know he’s already seen it. I had to watch it live in real time as he took in the words. Words that I wrote. Even if they weren’t meant to be put out into the universe, they were. And that’s on me.
I acknowledge her optimism and attempt to refocus on being excited for the afternoon. Today, I get to focus on promoting Lunar Love and all the work we’re doing to help people find love.
“I need to compartmentalize. Right now, all I care about are my talking points.” I sneak a look out into the gilded theater and gawk at its carved columns and intricate plasterwork. Excitement slowly overtakes my anxiety. “I can’t believe we’re here, in this venue. I feel like a rockstar. How did this event attract so many people?”
“It’s about love and dating in Los Angeles,” Alisha says, “and people need guidance.”
“True. How’s my hair?” I ask, running my hand through the strands to fluff my loose waves.
“Waves still intact,” Alisha says. “Close your eyes. Okay, all set, no eyeliner or mascara smudges. I have blotting paper in my purse if you need any.”
I peek out from behind the curtain at the growing crowd.
“I keep getting bombarded with ZodiaCupid sponsored ads,” Alisha says with a sigh directed toward her phone. “That’s what you get for looking at something once. How do I report them?”
“Your expertise is going to be useful when Lunar Love finally goes social,” I say. “Social media is the biggest, most immediate move we can make right now. I’m glad I secured the social media handles for Lunar Love months ago.” Without Auntie knowing, of course, since she dismissed the idea of social media as vain and self-serving.
While I share Pó Po’s and Auntie’s sentiments about online dating, I am pro–social media. Lunar Love may have thrived on word of mouth in Auntie and Pó Po’s time, but now people are moving online. No. They’ve been online. And we need to meet them where they are. I want to lean into the traditional elements of our business, but it’s time people know we exist. We can use digital marketing to bring people back to in-person connections. That’s the goal anyway.
“For sure! It looks like ZodiaCupid is really playing up the animal angle and providing trait fun facts,” Alisha analyzes.
“We need to be different.”
“We can share our favorite quotes about love!” Alisha says.
“And the moon! I can share songs and lyrics from my moon playlist,” I offer.
Alisha side-eyes me. “Wait, do you really have a moon-themed playlist?”
“Of course! Lots of Billie Holiday, Stevie Nicks, and Ella Fitzgerald. It’s the soundtrack to my matchmaking. It also doubles as the perfect background music for baking,” I explain. “What do you think about pushing the hashtag #LoveInTheMoonlight? Our clients can tag us on dates they go on, and we can respond with a first-date moon-themed song or something. I haven’t worked out the exact details.”
“Ooh, love that. Interactive. Doing a hashtag campaign can be a great way for people to learn about us and build community,” she confirms. “Look at us being more modern.” We snicker to each other.
A producer calls out something, and Alisha squeals. “I’ll leave you be. Enjoy the view from the stage. Good luck!” she says.
“Thanks! See you after,” I say, taking a deep inhale to calm my nerves. Alisha winds her way through the growing crowd to Randall, who has secured front-row seats in a show of support. I cross my arms over my stomach to self-soothe. I close my eyes and try to think of something calming when a memory of being curled up next to Bennett at the drive-in interrupts my meditation. A sense of calm washes over me. Guilt shortly follows.
When this podcast episode airs today, Bennett will know who I am. So much for only caring about my talking points. I need to speak to him first. I reach for my phone and craft a short text message: Hi! Do you have a second? Have something to talk to you about.
The timing isn’t ideal, but I have to tell Bennett who I really am for real this time. I can deal with his reaction later. No big deal. I’m sure he’ll understand, being a fellow small business owner. I hope. Then I can concentrate on doing this podcast. This is my first bit of press for Lunar Love, and I can’t let distractions derail my focus.
I turn to find Marcus, the Dating in La La Land host and moderator, approaching. He’s dressed in a sharp navy suit and smells strongly of cologne.
“Olivia! Are you ready? I never get to dress up like this. Usually we’re in sweats behind a microphone,” Marcus says in a peppy tone.
“Oh, true!” I laugh nervously, sneaking a look at my phone for a response from Bennett.
“Thanks, by the way, for your flexibility with the slight change,” he says. “The producers thought it might be fun to get a dialogue going about love and matchmaking.”
“Of course! I’m excited to meet everyone.” I stand up straighter, pulling at the sleeve of my plaid blazer.
“Absolutely. So how this will work is, I’ll introduce everyone when I’m on stage, and then you come out when your name is called. Simple enough, right?” Marcus says as he cracks his knuckles.
“Can you repeat that? I don’t think I followed,” I joke. “Kidding, just kidding.” I gulp my nerves down. Nothing yet from Bennett.
“Actually, would you mind repeating that? I was told we’d get our own song to walk out to,” a deep voice behind me says.
My eyes widen at the sound of the person’s voice.
Marcus grins. “Ah! Here’s the last-minute fill-in now. Allow me to introduce you two. Olivia, Bennett just started ZodiaCupid.”
No, no, no.
“And Bennett, meet Olivia. She’s the new owner of Lunar Love,” Marcus says, articulating every word. Before I can stop him, he’s exposed me. There it is. The truth’s out.
“I thought this was supposed to be an all-women panel,” I whisper to Marcus between gritted teeth.
“The ladies we reached out to were unavailable. Bennett generously canceled his afternoon to join us. We’ll have to find another angle to market this episode,” Marcus explains casually, like he hasn’t just blown my cover and set fire to my plans. “I’ll allow you two to get acquainted, but keep your ears out for your name. The audience may get testy if they have to wait too long.” He takes off before either of us say anything.
I slowly spin to see Bennett looking at me with an unreadable look in his eyes. For seconds that feel like hours, we stare at each other, speechless.
“We have to stop meeting like this,” Bennett finally says. “I assume that’s what your cryptic text message was about?”
“I—” I start. “I was going to tell you. I’m now in charge of Lunar Love.”
A deep blush spreads across Bennett’s cheeks. Oh no, he’s mad.
My stomach flips. I should’ve told him last night, especially after how honest he was with me. If he never wanted to see me again, I’d understand. Please say something, Bennett. I’ll take any vowel, verb, or expletive you want to throw my way. I’m ready.
My apology is on the tip of my tongue when Bennett meekly says, “I know.”
“You know…” I trail off confused, waiting for him to finish my sentence. “What do you know?”
Bennett looks at me with careful eyes. “I know who you are.”
I choke down my “sorrys” and “I meant to tell yous.” I was not ready for that. They’re just five simple words, but they hit me like a meteor.
“Wait. What?” I finally say. I feel the blood drain from my face.
Someone from behind the curtain shouts, “Places everyone!” On stage, Marcus gives an opening speech but I can’t process full words in this moment.
“I don’t understand,” I say, my mind running through all the different scenarios. At what point did he find out? Or did he know this entire time? Why wouldn’t he have told me? “Did you know who I was when we met at Lucky Monkey? I knew you were spying on me!”
“What? No! I didn’t know who you were until the end of the baking class,” he calmly explains.
“You knew who I was almost every time we saw each other, and you didn’t tell me? Why? Why did you ask me out last night?” I ask, processing it all. Was he trying to finish off Lunar Love? Is he trying to steal more of our ideas? I let my guard down for one night so this Rat could manipulate me. I know better.
Bennett looks down at the floor. “I was thrown off. I really was testing out the app on our first date. After having just seen you at Lucky Monkey, I don’t know, it was weird. When you started bombarding me with questions, it clicked. I brought up Lunar Love to see if you’d bite, but you didn’t. I caught on to what you were up to when you pretended to want to see my office, and I decided to join in. Knowing who you were made it easier to take a risk and ask you out. I had all the facts. It made me more comfortable.”
I lift my eyebrows in surprise. “You had all the facts on me so you felt in control? That’s why you asked me out?”
“No, that didn’t come out right. I—”
“And what do you mean it clicked? How do you even know who I am?” I ask, my tone edgier.
“Hey, remember that you lied to me, too,” Bennett says. “You’re also complicit in whatever this is. For all I know, you could’ve known who I was before our first date.” He scrunches his forehead in thought. “Wait. Did you?”
“Did I what?” I say obliviously.
“Did you know who I was before our first date?”
Caught again. I bite my lip. “I knew who you were since the Matched with Love conference, okay?” I say, finally conceding. “You were there yammering on about how opposites can attract and handing out beta codes and surprisingly soft eco-fleece like candy.”
Bennett studies my face. “That was you I was debating with?”
I look past his shoulder to avoid making eye contact with him.
“Good for you. You had me fooled. So you, what, saw me at the conference and then purposely used my app to match with me?” he says in a slightly joking tone.
I don’t answer.
His mouth drops open. “No…way. And here I am thinking fate played a role.”
A small snicker tumbles out. We may have coincidentally run into each other at the bakery, but we were brought together because of my matching abilities. Sure, they may have been on his app, but that’s beside the point.
“Fate? Please. I am fate,” I mumble. I regret ever wanting to tell him the truth.
Out of nowhere, Bennett breaks into laughter, his entire body shuddering in amusement.
“You think this is funny?” I ask, looking around at the stares we’re attracting.
“I laugh so I’m not completely freaked out. We both lied so we could see more of each other,” Bennett says.
“I don’t know if that’s true,” I say, though this isn’t entirely accurate. Part of me did want to see him again, and now after this, we’ll probably never see each other again. That’s a discomforting thought.
Bennett presses a hand against his chest. “You’re acting like I’m the bad guy here. You do realize how manipulative what you did was, right?”
I cross my arms, probably looking pouty and petty, but I don’t care. “You’re right. I never should’ve tried to match with you,” I say, exasperated. “Now you know how I know who you are. How do you know who I am?”
“We should talk about this after,” Bennett says, remaining calm. “I’ll explain everything.”
“No. We’re going to talk about this right now. My taking over Lunar Love hasn’t been announced yet publicly. In fact, today is the announcement. You would’ve found out once you heard the podcast. Did Marcus give you a list of panelists with our titles?”
“He didn’t,” Bennett says matter-of-factly.
“Then tell me how you know who I am,” I command, growing in confidence.
Bennett pushes his hands into his dark jean pockets and looks over at the crimson velvet curtain. “I can’t really say,” he mumbles.
I close the distance between us. His musky scent sweeps over me and chips away at my assurance. How dare he unnerve me like that!
“What, did you take a blood oath? Bennett,” I say sternly, “tell me.”
His eyes scrunch as he processes something. “I know about you,” he starts slowly, “because of your Pó Po.”
“Pó Po as in…June Huang?” I ask with a laugh. “No, seriously. That’s not funny.”
Bennett nods. “Seriously.”
I stumble back. “What the—”
“Olivia Huang Christenson, everybody!” Marcus announces from the stage.
Bennett gently grabs my shoulders and turns me around. I somehow manage to put one foot in front of the other and walk across the stage. I even get a wave in. Randall points to his cheeks and mouths the word “smile!” I force one across my face and then see him shaking his head and mouthing “too much!”
Under an ornate arch spanning the width of the stage, five armchairs are arranged in a half-moon formation like we’re about to be in conversation with Oprah. Even she wouldn’t be able to soothe me right now. Small tables with microphones are placed artfully in front of each seat. The third panelist, a woman who I recognize as the relationships editor from El Lay Daily, is already settled into the farthest chair to the left of Marcus. The fourth panelist, the consumer market research person, is seated directly next to him. She looks up at me and gives me a polite smile. I sit in the chair opposite her, meaning Bennett will be between me and Marcus. Just the two of us sitting stage right pretending to act like everything’s normal. How hard can that be?
“You look like a celebrity caught in paparazzi headlights! Relax. This won’t be too painful!” Marcus whispers to me with a chuckle before announcing Bennett.
I watch Alisha’s and Randall’s jaws drop as Bennett crosses the stage and sits down next to me. He gives the crowd a small wave before his eyes flit over to mine. I want to glare at him, but if I look at him for too long, I fear I’ll forgive him before he’s even had a chance to say sorry.
We spend the next ten minutes giving brief introductions, explaining the work we do, and fielding easy questions. I try to remember my talking points, but my thoughts feel like mush as I try to overanalyze every interaction I’ve had with Bennett. It isn’t until Marcus directs a question to both me and Bennett that my brain perks up.
“Olivia, Bennett, both of your companies match people using the Chinese zodiac, but from what you’ve both said, it sounds like one focuses on compatibility, and the other, not so much.”
I speak before Bennett has a chance to. “That’s right, Marcus. One of us—Lunar Love—actually matchmakes based on complementary traits of the Chinese zodiac. Which is the way it’s supposed to work. My grandmother started Lunar Love over fifty years ago. We’re the original here in LA,” I explain proudly.
Marcus leans forward into the microphone. “Bennett, did you know Lunar Love existed before you started ZodiaCupid?”
I turn my body to face Bennett. “Great question, Marcus,” I say.
Bennett coolly smiles. “I always do my due diligence. But I actually knew about Lunar Love in a more personal way,” he says. “June Huang, the founder, your grandmother,” Bennett continues, looking me in the eyes, “matched my parents.”
My smirk drops from my face. “That can’t be right,” I say. He told me his parents were incompatible. This guy can’t even keep his story straight.
“It’s true. I followed the path of my parents’ history, and it led me to you. To June,” he quickly corrects.
“I think you’re getting your paths mixed up,” I mutter. But even as I say those words, I falter in my conviction. Pó Po couldn’t have done that. She’s careful and meticulous. Mistakes like that are only made by me. I shift my attention back to Bennett.
He nods. “June was an excellent matchmaker, and she built an incredible business. You’re very lucky, Olivia. I’m sure you’re just as good as she is.”
Jerk! What’s this guy’s deal?
“Well, if that’s not adorable!” Marcus says. The audience claps along with him.
“It’s something, Marcus, it’s something,” I say. “But Bennett, just because Pó Po, I mean June, allegedly matched your parents, it doesn’t mean you know her. Or me.”
Marcus and the other panelists look confused as I pick up my conversation with Bennett where we left off backstage. Bennett realizes right away. He gives me a look. The look. The let’s-not-do-this-here look.
Addressing Marcus, the panelists, and the audience, Bennett says, “I see our businesses as complementary to one another. The Chinese zodiac can’t be monopolized. We offer a similar service but in different ways.” He looks smug with his political correctness.
“Our business isn’t a digital identity crisis. That’s the only difference,” I reveal in the heat of the moment.
Bennett’s smile melts off his face. His eyes turn so cold that they extinguish the fire behind mine. “That’s not—” Bennett says before stopping abruptly. He thinks for a moment, his eyebrows lifting. Under his breath he asks, “Were you the one who wrote that WhizDash article?”
Oops.
“You’re CakeGirl, aren’t you?” Bennett asks, the hurt on his face cutting deep into me.
“No sidebar conversations!” Marcus says with a nervous laugh. “Speak up so we can all hear. This is a live recording, all made possible by our generous sponsors.”
Bennett leans onto one of the armrests. “You know, it can be really hard for people to let go of the past, Marcus. Change isn’t easy for everyone. But we’re living in modern times so it’s time to stop getting stuck in our old ways. Digital is the future. What do you all think?” he asks the audience.
The audience claps and cheers to answer his question, their excitement bouncing off the walls of the theater. Everyone except Alisha and Randall, of course. They sit with their arms crossed, looking appalled and shouting boos as shields against the crowd’s enthusiasm.
I try to think of a witty comeback, but instead I become defensive. “Why do people feel the need to get rid of traditions? They’re an important part of history that will be forgotten if we,” I say, motioning my arms around the stage and out toward the audience, “don’t keep them alive. Why are you so against tradition, Bennett?”
Bennett adjusts the collar of his amber cashmere zip-up. “I’m only against tradition when it distracts you from the truth of what’s good. When you operate in a state of denial because you’re stuck in the mud of the past,” he says, his tone icy.
“Poetic! For our listeners at home, the tension in here is palpable,” Marcus says, crossing his hands over his lap. “And remember, panelists, we’re live. We can’t edit anything you say afterwards.”
I look out into the crowd and up at the faded murals above the balcony. The vaulted ceiling glimmers from the thousands of tiny mirrors sprinkled across it. It’s as though we’re in our own Spanish Gothic–style world, the indoor mirror-stars a glimpse of the past. Except instead of the sensation of feeling unconfined by the vastness of the universe, I feel trapped. All eyes are on us—on me—as I form my response.
“Tradition is steady. Reliable. Lunar Love has lasted this long for a reason,” I explain, twisting one of my rose-gold rings around my pointer finger. “We’re not some flash-in-the-pan start-up that’s only around until people move on to the next shiny thing.”
Bennett scoffs. “Sounds like someone’s worried that technology will obliterate what’s old and outdated.”
The fire behind my eyes is back and burning brighter than ever. I feel the heat radiate through my body so rapidly that I’m not fully aware when I stand up and announce, “We’re not outdated. Our methods may be rooted in history, but we make real love happen. I’ll prove to you that we’re better. I bet I can match you up with someone so compatible that you’ll be in love by the end of the year.”
The room goes quiet. Marcus, pro that he is, speaks first. “I’m not a betting man, but that sounded to me like a wager.”
Bennett sits up straighter in his chair, looking pensive. “That’s—I don’t know about this,” he says. “You don’t want to do this.”
“I don’t want to do this, or you don’t want to do this?” I take my seat confidently. “Scared your scam will be outed?” I say quietly, offering Bennett a smug smile. “I’ve been in business long enough to know what it takes to make a successful match. Your business hasn’t even launched yet. Who’s better? Well, it’s as clear as the sun and the moon.”
Instead of scaring Bennett off, I’ve only intrigued him. He settles into a more comfortable position. “More like, I can’t be held responsible when ZodiaCupid’s results are better than you think. Better than Lunar Love’s outcomes.”
I bite my lip. “Impossible,” I say, growing panicky. I keep a neutral and unwavering look on my face. “Like I said, I’ll prove it to you.”
“Based on traits?”
“Precisely.”
“And you think you know me?”
I half smile. “Oh, I have a decent idea about who you are.”
“Fine. You’ve got yourself a deal,” Bennett agrees. Warmth has returned to his eyes, but I can still see the hurt behind them. Hurt I put in them.
“Wait, so I’ll take the time to handpick you a custom match, and you’ll let your algorithm do the work?” I ask.
“That’s how our businesses work, isn’t it?” Bennett says. “You pick a match for me, and I’ll let my algorithm pick one for you, and we’ll see who finds love.”
I narrow my eyes at him. Little does he know, I’m never again letting myself fall for someone incompatible. This wager’s already been won. “Absolutely.”
“And I don’t need until the end of the year. In my world, two and a half months is too long. I bet I can match you using ZodiaCupid with someone you’ll be in love with by the end of the month,” Bennett counters.
“You’re kidding,” I say, letting out an unamused laugh.
Bennett shakes his head. He crosses his arms and leans back casually against the seat. The other two panelists look slightly stunned, but amused.
I blink furiously. “See? This is my point exactly! That isn’t about how fast it happens. Love isn’t some careless word you throw around!”
“That’s right!” Alisha shouts from the audience. I’m relieved when a couple others in the crowd agree with her.
“Well, folks, this just got very interesting,” Marcus says excitedly, as though he can already envision the ratings his show’s going to get. “Even the audience is getting into it. Olivia, you think Lunar Love and compatibility is better. Bennett, you don’t. How about this? Whoever can match the other with someone they fall in love with first gets an exclusive one-on-one podcast episode, a shout-out on our social media channels where we have over one million followers, and a feature on our website. Heck, we’ll even throw in a dating package for ten giveaway winners, paid for by us.”
“And a feature in our dating column,” the relationship editor chimes in. She sits cross-legged in her chair looking way too entertained.
I’m stunned by how quickly this all escalated. That’s huge exposure. And ten new immediate clients? That may be nothing to ZodiaCupid, but it’s a lot to us. That would reduce our need to find people right away, and we could focus on what we do best. I can physically feel the seconds passing as I process the situation.
“Well?” Marcus asks me before turning back to his microphone and adding, “Listeners at home, we can practically hear Olivia thinking. What will her decision be?”
I’ve always admired how Marcus builds anticipation in his shows, but now that his tactics for keeping listeners tuned in is directed at me, I’m not such a fan.
I extend my hand out to Bennett. “I’m in.”
“Excellent,” Bennett says, wrapping his fingers around mine. The contact sparks memories of last night: touching hands, homemade sushi, stolen glances under the stars, the rare feeling of unbearable lightness. It was like being with a completely different person. I shake off the drive-in version of Bennett. He’s long gone.
“Folks, it looks like we have ourselves a Match-Off!” Marcus announces.
Pulled back into the moment of being watched by thousands of eyes, I lock my own two with Bennett’s. He gives me a private, small, crooked smile. The breath in my chest catches. I hate what that does to me.
This is going to be fine. I know for a fact his app doesn’t work and that my matching record is way higher than his. I’ll get lots of press for Lunar Love, ZodiaCupid will be exposed for the sham that it is, and Bennett will find love. It’s a win-win for everyone.
I grip his hand tighter and pull him closer. Our cheeks graze as I bring my lips up against his ear. “I hope you’re ready to fall in love.”