Page 92 of Something Like Fate

Mei agrees. “Just because we know someone might be our soulmate doesn’t mean we don’t have to work at it.”

“We have to build that connection from the ground up, just like everyone else. But the work doesn’t feel like work when it’s the right person.”

Maybe they’re right. Maybe I just need to give things more time with Caleb. Maybe those extra few weeks are crucial.

I think about how long it took Teller and I to build a friendship. We certainly didn’t like each other instantly. Our connection took time to build. Maybe that’s what I need with Caleb. Time.

“Oh, speaking of. Caleb asked me to stay a few extra weeks.” I saya few extra weekscasually, but it feels anything but casual. Because thosefew extra weeksreally symbolize something else—a massive decision. A decision that is going to affect the trajectory of my entire life. The decision to honor the vision and, therefore, fate.

“I think you absolutely should. You need extra time to get to know each other,” Ellen says, like it’s no big deal.

“But you’re due next month! Who else is gonna sanitize all your bottles and pump parts?” I protest. We’d already agreed that when the baby is born, I’d go over and help out with chores and cooking, just like I did when Maisey was born two years ago.

Ellen rubs her belly. “As much as I’d love your help, you can’t leave Italy just because of me. Baby will be here to meet you whenever you decide to come back.”

Mei nods in agreement.

“Do you think Mom would have wanted me to stay?” I ask.

“Your mom would have absolutely loved Caleb,” Mei says, unable to contain her smile.

“Really?”

“She was obsessed with travel too. I imagine they could have talked for hours and hours about it. He would have charmed the socks off her in two seconds flat.”

It’s bittersweet, knowing Mom would have loved my soulmate but also dealing with the reality that I’ll never know for sure. I’ll never get to experience that—Caleb meeting my mom for the first time, giving her flowers, trying to make her laugh.

Ellen clears her throat. “In the end, it doesn’t matter what your mom would have wanted. It’s about fate.”

I take a deep exhale, exhausted from the mental gymnastics. It feels like life is extending its hand and pulling me through another doorway, onto a path that justmakes sense.

Why would I pass up the opportunity to travel and explore? Why would I pass up happiness with the person I’m destined to be with? And for what? Going home to my directionless, Teller-less life?

Mei places an assuring hand on my shoulder. “This is where you’re supposed to be, Lo.”

34

I’m restless and twitchy. The sheets are pulled unnaturally tight, binding me like an ancient mummy. Damp and claustrophobic, I manage to free my arms and stare up at the plaster ceiling, replaying the night.

Caleb joined us for dinner this evening. While Dad was initially hesitant about my soulmate, there’s no one Caleb can’t charm. All he had to do was feign ignorance about Marvel and he had Dad eating from the palm of his hand. Dad would never say it, but I know this is going to make the news easier to swallow.

I can’t stop thinking about my decision to stay. If this is really fate, then why do I feel such a deep ache? A sadness for the life I’m leaving behind? I’d been so excited about meeting The One that I never registered the reality—that my life would completely change from here on. I’d potentially have to uproot entirely, leaving Dad, my aunts, Brandon and Brian.

I toss and twist, pretzeling myself into every position—to no avail. It doesn’t help that Mei is snoring and mumbling about ETFs and TFSAs in her sleep. When I finally accept that I’m not falling asleep anytime soon, I pull on a cardigan and tiptoe past the living room, out the front door.

The plan was to take a short walk to stretch my muscles and tire myself out. But instead, I pad down the steep stone staircase to the beach, the glittering lights a beacon along the jagged cliffs. The salty breeze wafting in from the sea has cooled the air. It’s quiet without thetourists and traffic. There’s only the flutter of leaves, the distant chirp of crickets, and the gentle lull of the frothy waves lapping against the pebbly shore. I sit, squishing the cool sand between my feet, and take in the briny aroma of the sea.

A figure catches my eye in my periphery. There’s someone sitting in the sand to my right, partially hidden behind a folded-up beach lounger. The dark, mussed-up hair is a dead giveaway. It’s Teller, sitting with his legs pulled to his chest, gazing out at the vast sea stretching before us.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” I call out.

I expect him to jump, but he doesn’t appear surprised by my presence. “Nah. What’s keeping you up?” he asks, moving from behind the lounger to sit next to me.

Oh, just everything. No big deal.“Aunt Mei was talking in her sleep,” I say. “A lot of finance jargon. Sounded like a nightmare, if you ask me.”

“At least I never brought up equity and audits while we were rooming together,” he says with an impish smile. The moonlight plays over his features, casting a subtle glow over his profile. My gaze locks on his full lips, absorbing every word.

“I used to dream about you staying in town for college and us getting an apartment together,” I admit.

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