Page 88 of Something Like Fate

I peer at Caleb, who just smiles back at me nervously. “Nice to meet you too. And all good things, I hope.”

“This is my friend—the one I backpacked with through Australia and New Zealand. We met up in Naples,” Caleb explains, eyes flicking toward Teller in the periphery. I wave him over, and he and Caleb do one of those awkward bro hugs where they clap each other on the back. Teller gives him a harder-than-normalthwack, which delights me more than it should.

“Can we talk really quick?” Caleb asks, turning back to me.

I nod and follow him out of earshot. My legs are two strips of jelly. One gust of wind too many and I might topple over. I assumed that if I ever saw Caleb again, I’d be delighted, relieved that I wasn’t wrong about him after all. His presence would affirm that he is The One. But now he’s here, mere feet from me, wringing his hands and looking apologetic as hell. “Lo, I am so, so sorry. I have so much to explain.”

I may be mad at him, but his apology face is adorable. So adorable, I have to look away for the sake of my dignity. “Yeah, you do.”

He presses his palms together. “I knew when I left that it was a bitch move. I guess I was just—” He runs his hand through his curls. “I was just caught off guard by what you said, and I freaked out.”

“It was. You didn’t owe me anything, but you could have given me a heads-up that you were leaving. I was really hurt,” I say.

“I get it. And I know it’s probably too little, too late. And you’re only here a couple more days, but I’d like to try to make it up to you, if you’ll let me.”

“It’s—sorry, I’m just a little surprised,” I say. I’m desperately trying to wrap my mind around what he’s saying, but it’s all hard to process in the middle of a bustling street with tourists milling about. And Teller only a few feet away.

The universe is really gunning for me. Right then, Mei and Dad happen upon us. Mei wastes no time introducing herself as my favorite aunt. Dad is polite and all smiles, but his handshake is firm.

“I know it’s a lot to spring on you, and I don’t expect an answer right now. But do you think you’d meet up with me later to talk?” heasks, swallowing nervously. It’s jarring to see him like this. He’s always so confident, and I seem to be making him nervous.

I manage a nod. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

He checks his watch and looks over his shoulder at his friend. “Shit. Freddie and I are going ocean kayaking. Here, I’ll give you his number.” He reaches for my phone and adds Freddie to my contacts. “I’ll text you through him, okay?”

I take my phone back and send a text that saysLo’s number. “Okay. See you later.”

Caleb shoots me a hopeful smile over his shoulder that hits me right in the heart. I sag against a nearby building, trying to process what just happened.

“You didn’t know he was going to be here, huh?” Mei asks.

“No. He knew my itinerary, though. He came here for me. But what are the chances of running into each other on the street, of all the thousands of people in Positano right now? Do you think it’s fate?”

Mei’s chuckle echoes in the salty air. “If that’s not fate, I don’t know what is.”

31

When the next morning comes, I’m still shook.

The four of us are on the balcony for breakfast, although Mei is talking to a neighbor about restaurant recommendations, Dad is buried in his phone, and I’ve been texting Bianca, updating her on this whole mess (she is Team Caleb, of course).

“Excuse me, I have to take a call,” Dad says abruptly, heading inside.

I shoot him a curious look. “With who?”

“Uh ... it’s a work call,” he says quickly, avoiding eye contact. “It’s an emergency.”

Teller gives me a look that saysThat was weird.

I raise my brows as if to saySee, I told you he’s acting off. Dad works long hours. He always has. But I can’t remember a time he had an urgent call. Something is fishy, but I don’t have the energy to investigate. There are more pressing matters at hand.

I let out a strained sigh, though I don’t realize how loud it is until Teller asks, “Did Caleb reach out yet?”

“Nope.” My stomach does a barrel roll and I’m sensing it’s not out of excitement. It’s anticipation, I think. I need to know why he left.

Teller nudges me in the shin under the table. “Why do you sound so blah about it? I figured you’d be over the moon. It’s that big grand gesture you always hoped for, isn’t it?” When I give a half-hearted shrug, he continues, “I mean, he came all the way to the Amalfi Coast for you. I’d say it even tops the airport grand gesture inLove, Actually. Or theboom box serenade inSay Anything. Though nothing beats the M&MSorrypizza inThe Princess Diaries.”

I think back to all those hours we’ve spent in the back row of the theater watching old movies, feet resting on the backs of the seats in the row ahead. Me sobbing into my popcorn, Teller rolling his eyes at the cheesiest parts. It instantly brings me back to myself. “I love that you’re an encyclopedia of grand gestures now.”

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