Page 22 of A Pretty Fixation

I twist my lips, unable to argue because he’sright.

Caleb snorts. “You know I’m the only one whounderstands. Your heart remembers even though your mind is locking me out.”

That might be the case. It did feel easy talkingto him tonight.

“Whatever,” I huff, deciding to ignore it. “Isuggest you speak to a counselor in the morning about your unhealthyobsession.” I turn to open the door.

“I won’t stop chasing you. I’ll catch youeventually.”

That stupid fire blazes beneath my skin—the thrillof having Caleb pursue me.

Fighting it, I dash out of the car and hasten intomy dorm. Running is the only way to simmer the inferno. Something tells me if Idon’t, he’ll capture every piece of me, especially my heart.

Caleb inhabited my dreams again, leaving me onedge throughout the morning. I have this raging flame within. A need that won’tsettle.

“Ouch!” I yelp as Scarlett slaps my arm.

“You’re not even listening.”

I set the rest of my sandwich down and brace backin the chair. “Sorry.”

She crumples her forehead. “You’ve hardly said aword. What’s up? Is it Caleb?”

I glance down at the table while twirling mycoffee. “Um, he’s still insisting I’m this girl Dove, and...”

“And?” she presses.

“It’s like I want to be, Scar. Having hisattention is satisfying, and it’s not about being attracted to a handsome guy.It feels more. That could only be possible if we knew each other, right?”

“Hm,” she hums in thought. “You know, at theparty, you looked at Caleb in a strange way. Though you were acting annoyed,your eyes sparkled. Maybe he’s right. Maybe you’re Dove.”

“That name…” I groan. “Truthfully, it soundsfamiliar, but it doesn’t feel like mine.”

“How far back do you remember?” she asks.

I pick at a napkin while speaking. “After thattherapy session, the oldest memory I have is being home with my parents.”

“You don’t remember when you met them?”

“No. Everything before that is blocked.”

Scarlett blinks in amazement and leans back. “Howabout asking them about the foster home? Maybe you could find informationregarding your time there.”

“I’m scared that if I start looking, everythingwill shatter, and I’ll fall into a deep pit of pain. Only I might not be ableto come out next time.”

Reaching over, she holds my hand on the table.“Then don’t. If you feel safer not letting Caleb into your life, don’t. But ifyou have the desire to open up to him, focus on the present. Date him likeyou’ve never met.”

“That’s what Caleb said. But I see it in his eyes.He wants that girl, Scar. She meant too much to him, and I sure as hell won’tbe a substitute.”

She squints at me. “You know, you sound resentfulof Dove. What if you’re resenting yourself?”

I scoff. “That would be so fucked up. But I knowwhat you mean. I get upset at the mention of the name, and it doesn’t make anysense.”

Scarlett gives my hand a loving squeeze. “Onlyyour mind has the answers. You’ve decided you won’t go back, so let it go.”

I lift my shoulders in an overstated shrug. “I’lljust pretend like Monday never happened and that I never met Caleb.”

After my assertion, Scarlett raises her brows,harrumphs, and picks up her coffee, drinking without saying another word.

---