Page 4 of A Pretty Fixation

“Good luck with that.” I step past him.

“I’ll make you remember,” he declares, causing achill to slither down my back. “I lost you once. Now that I’ve found you, Iwon’t let you go.”

I glance at him sideways. Heat immerses my body asI discern the determination in his eyes.

“Listen, dude,” Scarlett warns. “My friend isn’tDove. Go look for the real person and leave Jordyn alone.” She clicks hertongue, takes my hand, and hauls me into the café.

I stare out the window as we walk to the counter.Caleb is still standing outside, fists clenched.

“Geez.” I swallow hard and turn away.

But something about him leaves me unsettled.

As we’re about to order, I glance out the windowagain.

Caleb is gone.

“You really don’t know him?” Scarlett confirmswith a touch at my arm. “He said it was an alias. What if—”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’ve always been Jordyn.He’s mistaken me for someone else.”

At least, I think.

Is this the meaning of the immense anticipationthat engulfed me when I woke up? If it is, I’m not sure how to feel about it.

What the hell, universe!

She forgot.

She fucking forgot about me.

But I know it’s her.Dove. My symbol ofhope when it felt like there was none.

Is Jordyn her real name or what she goes by now?

Either way, it suits her.

I thought she was the prettiest girl when I firstsaw her at twelve, but god, she’s even more beautiful now. Her brown hair is somuch longer. Eyes are still like sunset, full of gold flecks among the darkhoney hue.

She told me about her abuse, so I understand whyshe’d want to block the pain. But I refuse to let her lock me away becausethose weeks are my best memories.

Like a creep, I lurk at the corner of thebuilding, watching Jordyn and her friend have breakfast outside the café by thecherry blossom trees.

They mentionFine Eatsin theirconversation. It seems Jordyn works there. And then her friend brings up akappa party happening tonight.

Jordyn looks iffy about going. It must be thealcohol because it also drags up horrible feelings for me.

They don’t reveal much else. I’ll use the little Iheard. I’ll do whatever to get close to Jordyn because I refuse to lose heragain. I won’t.

Turning away, I slide my phone out and call theone person who has been using his resources to find her for me with no successall these years.

“Hey, son. How’s it—”

“Dad. End the search. Dove is here.”

I veer into a bathroom following my final classsince there’s no time to stop at the dorm before work.

As I’m scouring the bag for my makeup case, Calebenters my mind again. I’ve been trying to forget the tense encounter with noluck.

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