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The building they were hosting the awards at was older, built long before the turn of the century, and full of charm. From exposed brick walls to low ceilings, it felt historical and bright. We were headed down a wide hallway, following signs from the elevators to the main room where I knew from past years they would have a temporary stage set up and dozens of tables and chairs.

She glanced up at me, pausing in the middle of her description about researching astrology. “What is your sign? I know way more about this now than I intended to.”

“Scorpio. I think. My birthday is November first.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “That would be Scorpio, yes. And I’m a Pisces.”

“When’s your birthday?” I asked, fully intending to remember it and embarrass her with a stupid grand gesture.

She gave me a skeptical side-eye. “I’m not telling you.”

“I’ll find out,” I said confidently. “And there will be no escape for you, Coldwell. There will be balloons. And cake. And celebrating, definitely celebrating.”

Ruth looked forward again, fighting a smile. “If it’s anything like your games…”

“Games and birthdays go hand-in-hand,” I said, bending down and lowering my voice.

Her shiver visibly traveled down her spine. “I don’t know ifI can handle any more games. I’m surprised I can even walk.”

“Clearly, there’s room for improvement if you can walk.”

Ruth rotated a look my way. “You are very badly behaved, Dr. Reed.”

“Thank you. Although, despite that, I have to know—how do we match up? Astrologically?” I knew she would know. I knew that if Ruth had done research on something like astrology, she had likely memorized every bit of available knowledge on the subject. Ruth’s full lower lip slipped between her teeth and her neck turned pink. I smiled slowly. “It’s good, isn’t it?”

“If one were to believe that sort of thing,” she admitted reluctantly, “it… would be an advantageous match, yes.”

“I knew it.” I squeezed her hand, straightening again as we approached the busy convention center room. “You might be stuck with me, Coldwell. My mother won’t let you go if she knows our astrological signs match.”

Ruth looked pained. “I have a feeling it would be impossible to say no to your mother.”

“Like rearranging stars,” I agreed. As we entered the ballroom, with its raised balconies on the left and right of the space already full, and the stage teeming with crew, Ruth hesitated.

“Wow. This is… huge.”

“Well, they hand out awards for businesses in a pretty wide radius.” I looked around the guests, all of them dressed in gowns and suits. I spotted Rook, who stood nearby with a dark-haired bombshell on his arm. “And apparently,” I muttered, trying and failing to not glare at my med school nemesis, “they’ll let justanyone in.”

Ruth followed my gaze until she found Rook, who stood talking with some of his colleagues. “I recognize him.”

“You should. He’s your ‘doctor.’” I gave her a sardonic, angled glance.

Ruth’s mouth pinched together tightly. “Oh.”

“He must have won something. Pity.”

“You really don’t like him? Even though you went to school together?” Ruth asked as I led her away.

I pulled a disgusted face. “He’s an asshole, and he always didjustbetter than me in residency that it pissed me off.”

“I see,” Ruth said slowly and paired it with a sly half-smile.

“You were second place to a toady villain?” I clarified.

Ruth’s smile grew. “No, I was always first. But I canimagine.”

I reached over and pinched her cheek briefly, and she laughed. “That was mean, Shortstop.”

We filtered into the packed space, weaving through the throng of guests who all wore suits and dresses, and the excited chatter droned through the cavernous room like a busy hive. Each table had been designated for attendees of the respective businesses, so I swept my eyes over each white-draped table as I looked for our urgent care’s logo. I found Laura first, seated with her husband to her left and dressed in a black dress.