Page 38 of Fate

Suddenly, the light bulb goes on, and we both say the same name at the sametime.

“Chase.”

We laugh at our similar thought process until it dawns on me. I can’t do that to Chase. Take advantage of his friendship. He was there for me when I wouldn’t allow anyone else in. He pushed through all my barriers with a battering ram and helped bring me back from the brink of despair. He’s not only my best friend’s husband and my friend—he’s my savior.

I shake my head. “No. Nuh-uh. I won’t put him in the middle. It’s not fair. This is my drama. I just didn’t think I’d be dealing with it again. I mean, after three years to finally come back to the way we were was more than I could have ever hoped for. Maybe I should be grateful? He did set a fire within me that night.”

Maria chuckles. “Yeah, a fire between your legs. Bastardo. Eso no es cool. Not cool. He shouldn’t have started something with you he didn’t intend to finish.”

I lift my hand and set my chin into my palm while leaning on the table. “Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt? He did try to win me back for a full year after I ended it. It was me who ended it in the first place. Perhaps this is what I deserve.”

Her head jerks back. “No way. Not even. You deserve to be happy, gatita. I know Carson makes you happy. Honestly, even though I’m pissed at him, I still love him too. For you. You’re perfectotogether.”

I sigh and look out at the park. The sun is shining and the day is free of the San Francisco fog, but there’s still a brisk chill when the breeze hits. Kids are running and playing, chasing after one another. There are some college-age guys kicking a soccer ball lazily back and forth while they talk. A mother and father are holding a child’s hand and lifting him up every few feet as they walk along the sidewalk. And here I sit, wondering if the man I love is with someoneelse.

I pull out my phone and start totype.

“What are you doing?”

“Texting himback.”

Maria rubs her hands together and grins wickedly. “What are you gonna say? You gonna call him out on his bullshit?”

I shake my head. “Nope. I’m inviting him to dinner this weekend.”

She frowns. “I’m sorry. How is this getting him back for blowing you off and texting you versus calling?”

“Well, he can’t blow me off if he’s having dinner with me, now canhe?”

She rubs her hand over her chin thoughtfully. “Cierto. True. I’d rather you string him up by the cojones.” Her grin comes back looking extra violent.

To: Carson Davis

From: Kathleen Bennett

Then have dinner withme.

I wait with my heart in my throat as the three little dots pop up. It seems as if time stops or at least slows to a snail’s pace. If he denies me this one request, a simple one, I’ll know it’s never going to work. This is too important to me, and after what he said while making love to me, he should know the truth.

To: Kathleen Bennett

From: Carson Davis

Where? When? You know I’d walk a thousand miles…

A half laugh, half sob leaves my mouth, and I cover it with my hand. I stare at the words so long they start to blur, tears having filled myeyes.

The Proclaimers.

“500 Miles.”

He said it was his song to me. Every time it played on the radio or on his CD player— sometimes on repeat, he loved it so much—he would sing at the top of his lungs, pointing to me at the appropriate parts, making sure I knew how he felt about me. Together we’d sing the da dut da, da dut da part very loudly, sloppily, laughing and kissing in between verses.

Maria’s hand covers my scarred one. Surprisingly, I don’t flinch. Instead, I accept the gesture for what it is. Comfort. Something I badly need right now from my best friend.

“Youokay?”

I nod. “Yeah, I think it’s going to be okay. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but he’s worth the wait, Ria. He really is. I don’t know what’s going on with him, but he agreed to dinner.”

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