Page 96 of Something Like Fate

My world tilts and everything blurs, a mixture of confusion and embarrassment swirling around me in a thick fog. I hoist myself onto the boat and park myself with a squish on the padded bench, water dripping everywhere. It feels like someone’s just told me the Earth is, in fact, not actually round. I thought running into Caleb was confirmation that my vision was correct. That we’re supposed to be together.

It wasn’t fate, Caleb finding me again. Not really.

It was Teller.

I barely speak for the rest of the day—not that anyone really notices. Everyone is sapped from the sun, content to sit back and enjoy the views as we boat back to the marina. I’m still angry when my feet hit the dock in Positano. Caleb is oblivious to my mood. Still, we say abrief goodbye, agreeing to meet up tomorrow after Dad, Mei, and Teller head to the airport.

As we journey back to the Airbnb, I laser focus on the dark mop of hair on the back of Teller’s head, as though trying to read his mind. Why would he message Caleb after telling me Caleb is an asshole? And why would he do it the morning after we hooked up? Was it that bad? I need answers.

“Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” I say, charging up the stairs to catch up with him.

“Sure, what’s up?” he asks, pausing so we fall back behind Dad and Mei.

“Why didn’t you tell me you reached out to Caleb?” I ask, not bothering to beat around the bush.

He turns his gaze up the steep staircase and blows the air out of his cheeks. “Because I knew you wouldn’t want me to.”

“No shit! I was letting things take their natural course. This whole time I was walking around talking about fate. Thinking he found me here because the universe willed it. But it was you.” Just thinking about it makes me want to crawl into a hole. “How could you not tell me something like that?”

He lowers his head, grabbing the ends of the towel wrapped around his neck. “Crap. I’m sorry, Lo. I thought I was doing the right thing. I mean, didn’t I? You’re back together. You’re staying. It’s still kind of fate.” I think back to what he said on the beach:Fate, or something like it.

I press my fingers to my temples to ward off the impending headache. “I guess I’m just confused. What was your motive? Did you feel sorry for me or something after we hooked up?”

“Are you kidding me? Why would I feel bad for you after we hooked up?” he asks, like he’s offended I’d even question it.

“I don’t know. Maybe you thought it was terrible and wanted to distract me?”

He lets out a huff, pausing to let someone pass by on the stairs.

“No. It’s just the opposite, actually.” He watches me for a moment. “Iwas the one that needed the distraction.”

I spin around to face him on the step below me. “But ... the next morning you were so distant. I woke up and you were on the balcony texting Sophie.”

He squeezes his eyes shut and rakes both hands through his hair. “Shit. I wasn’t. I mean, I have texted her a bit, but I wasn’t texting her that morning. She was the last person I wanted to talk to that morning.”

“Then why did you lie?”

“Because when you came onto the balcony, I was messaging Caleb. I thought you saw it over my shoulder so I panicked.”

“But why did you message Caleb in the first place?”

He sucks in a breath. “Because I’m in love with you, Lo. Okay?”

36

I’m leaning on the side of a stone retaining wall, trying to catch my breath.

“Excuse me?”

He sucks in another breath, seemingly in shock that he’s said it. He’s not the only one.

“Did you mean what you just said?” I implore.

“Yes,” he says, coming to a full stop in front of me. His eyes are red, although I don’t know if it’s from emotion or the salty water. “Why do you think I got you inked on my body?”

“Okay, but I pressured you into it. And you were wasted,” I point out.

“I’ve never wanted a tattoo before, that’s true. Because there was nothing I could imagine wanting on my body forever. Except you.”

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