Page 43 of Something Like Fate

I’m grateful for the distraction. This is the first time on our trip that sharing a room feels awkward. Despite the fact that Teller and I talk about pretty much everything, there’s one line we’ve never crossed. We don’t talk about sex. Sure, we’ve waded close to the fire, talking about dick pics and sexual things in general, but never specifically about one another doing the deed.

I growl into the mirror, unsure whether I’m more frustrated by the unnecessary images of Teller flashing through my mind or my hair. It refuses to cooperate, as per usual.

“You okay?”

I blink away the images. “I hate my hair. I never should have cut it,” I whine, trying in vain to press down a piece that keeps flopping the wrong way.

“Why? It looks ...” He falters.

“Like an inverted triangle? I’m all too aware.”

He doesn’t deny it. “Um, maybe you should put it up?”

“I tried. It’s too short and I’m not good at fancy styles.”

“Maybe I can help.”

I level him with a look. “Do you secretly know how to do hair?”

“Well, no. But I’m sure I can learn. There has to be something online. An instructional video or something.”

There are. Millions. I do a quick search for the account Dad used to do my hair when I was little and find a cute french braid that folds into a bun. I pass him the phone. “It looks easy enough,” he says.

I gather some bobby pins and hair ties and sit with my back facing him on his bed.

“Um, you’ll have to come a bit closer,” he says.

I shimmy until my back hits his leg. “Good?” I ask, ignoring the warmth tumbling down my spine.

“Yup.”

I close my eyes as his fingers comb through my hair, a bit unsure.

“If I pull your hair or something, just tell me,” he says, his breath tickling my ear.

The air shifts and my entire body goes hot at his fingers brushing against my neck. All this thinking about sex has gotten me feeling tingly. What would it be like if I just turned around and kissed him? Nope. Thinking about Teller like this is dangerous and highly inappropriate.

Not that it means anything. These thoughts. They’re born out of natural curiosity, right? I can snap back to real life and push them aside like a pesky little celebrity crush and go on about my day.

“Oh, I will. And anyway, I’ll be careful with Caleb. Always am,” I assure, working down a swallow. “And you too.”

“I’m not planning on having sex with Riley,” he says, sweeping my hair back and separating it into three sections.Tug, pull, tug, pull.

“Why not? You deserve some wild vacation-rebound sex.” I cringe. I sound like Bianca. There’s a part of me that secretly hopes hooking up with Riley will help him get over Sophie sooner.

“Wild vacation-rebound sex?” he repeats.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to pressure you. I know you’re not into that kind of thing.”

A beat passes. “You don’t know that.”

“I—I don’t?”

The pull loosens as he finishes tying a bun. I turn around slowly to find his lips pressed together, like he’s holding in a wicked smile. “All right, all done.”

My whole body flares with heat at the thought of Teller having hot rebound sex. In fact, I actually fan myself and spin around, groping for a hair tie I tossed somewhere on the bed. Clearly I’m the one who needs some vacation sex.

“You good?” he asks.

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