Page 49 of Encounter

Galen seemed a little flustered but nodded. “Okay. I... I will. I promise I’ll try harder. Really,” he said, sounding more serious and determined than before.

It was cute, how much he was trying. I knew he was. “Don’t stress about it,” I said with a crooked smile. “Do what you can.”

He was going to do okay.

Like most mornings, whatever nightmare I was having got interrupted by Kitty, meowing and rubbing her ass in my face. “Alright, alright!” I groaned, gently pushing her to lie down next to me. Her purrs were a welcome, comforting wake up call.

Rubbing my face, I finally opened my eyes and looked around the room. The bright sunlight came in from the living area through the half-cracked door.

When I reached for my phone to check my messages, I noticed the unsightly amounts of dust on my nightstand. “We really have to do somethin’ about this, huh?” I turned to Kitty, petting her head. “Wish you could help with the cleanin’.”

I scrolled through the regular messages from Gregory—info about payments, jobs we could look into or were contacted about, background check info, and him asking me to come over.

My life’s been painfully stale the past few months. Besides the boy, that is.

Sighing, I turned my head to the side, and my eyes landed on the picture frame at the edge of the nightstand. I had to brush off another layer of dust as I reached for it, confirming my worry that a massive clean was needed. Resting it against my chest, I felt a clashing sensation pass through me. A bittersweet taste filled my mouth as I smiled. Nextto my stupid face on the photo stood Lydy, with that bright grin of hers. Hair tucked behind her left ear curled at the ends and framed her shoulder as she wore that nice floral dress.

I still remember that day.The picture itself was fuzzy, but the details in my head gave better definition to her peachy lips, bushy brows, and kind, soft eyes.

As the warmth and comfort of that memory faded, the corners of my lips fell. Staring at the photo devoid of the idealistic smokescreen, I had to ask myself what the hell I was doing.

Was there anything—anything at all—that connected Lydy and Galen?

If not, I was nothing but a delusional old man. There had to be something that tied them together, besides the date. Their eyes, the way they smiled, or something in their personality? I could seesomebare similarities—but was I only seeing things because I wanted them to be there?

I’m becoming my damn father. Superstitious and irrational.Obsessing over a nineteen-year-old guy that has nothing in common with the woman I loved, besides the fact he was born right after she died.

Need to think rationally.

Yet, no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t ignore thisthingpulling us together. Our encounter was too much of a coincidence to actually be one.

Am I becoming one of those people who believe in fate?

I even thought about him yesterday while fucking Larissa. “Goddammit,” I groaned out of frustration, scratching my nape while I put the frame back, spooking Kitty. Rubbing her little head against me, she settled next to my face where I started petting her. “I know. I’m being an idiot,” I mumbled.

What was I trying to do with him in the gym? I couldn’t be so obsessed with this idea of him being... what? Her reincarnation? For me to start going around and feeling attracted to him. To want to be closer to him, around him.

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