Page 76 of A Pretty Fixation

He sniffs. “I stole plums from someone’s yard forfood when my mom would leave me alone for days.”

“Caleb…” My heart aches for him, knowing he had togo through that. But something tells me I can relate. I just don’t remember.

He shakes it off and tightens his hold on me.“Your turn, Jordyn. What secrets are you keeping in your heart?”

I feel a prick at the back of my neck. The onlything I’m keeping from him is the truth.

“Nothing. At least, nothing since being adopted.And you know I don’t recall my life before that.”

“Yeah.” He squints at me. “There’s nothing atall?”

I moisten my lips, toying with my hair a bitbefore telling him, “No.”

Caleb notices, but he doesn’t point out theaction.

He smirks. “My bed’s calling us.”

“I guess we should go to it then,” I flirt.

With his arm around me, we start walking backacross campus.

There’s a guilty mass inside, and it’s onlygrowing with each passing day that I don’t admit to Caleb I’m not Dove.

“What’s on your mind?” Dr. Sharma asks.

I stop staring at the tree at the side of herhouse. The leaves are a crisp orange, indicating autumn is upon us—my favoriteseason.

“I’m not Dove, so why do I feel these intenseemotions when he’s close? I’ve felt them since the day I bumped into him.”

She crumples her brows. “It is possible you alsoconnected with him at the foster home.”

“Then why doesn’t he rememberme?” I pressmy hands at my chest. “All he remembers is her.”

“What do you want from Caleb? You told me he wantsto move forward. So why are you focusing on the past?”

“Because his heart is still there.” I rub mytemples. “God. I feel so guilty because he thinks I’m someone I’m not.” I plopback against the cushion. “I’m such a mess over him.”

“You love him,” she discerns, a small smile at herlips. “Deeply.”

A tear escapes and trickles down my cheek. “ButCaleb loves someone else.”

“I can’t address his side because I don’t knowhim. I’m only assessing what you’ve shared and what I see before me now. Whatis blatant to me is that you love Caleb, and you’re afraid.”

I consider for a beat, then tell her, “Help me tryagain. If there was a moment between us, I want to find it.”

Dr. Sharma leans back in her armchair. “Are yousure you want to? You told me you’ve had a few memories catch you off guardafter that last session. Jordyn, you could—”

“I can handle it, Doc,” I assure her. “Please.It’s the last time.”

Dr. Sharma ponders a bit more before conceding.“All right. I’ll guide you through.” She sets up the pendulum swing on thetable, and we start with the deep breathing technique.

Soon, I’m back in the realm of greenery, walkingtowards the wooden door.

I draw for strength, clench my fist, and enter.

Bright light swallows me like last time. Once itclears, I realize I’m sitting alone in a sunroom. My cheeks feel wet fromcrying, and I’m shaking as if I’ve just had an outburst.

“Are you all right?”

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