Page 75 of Time Loops & Meet Cutes
“Never mind,” I say. “Is Mom around?”
“No, she’s at Zumba.”
My mother does Zumba? Since when?
“Oh, right, right. Well, I better get going—”
“Is everything okay?” he asks.
“Yep, just peachy.”
“You’re still coming for dinner tomorrow, right?”
“Uh, yes,” I say. “Six o’clock?”
“Dalton requested that we do it a little early, so if you could get here at five thirty, that would be great.”
At the mention of my brother, I freeze. Has the baby been safely born? Is Mona okay?
But I’ve already asked enough questions.
“Okay, okay, see you tomorrow,” I say.
“Madison won’t be here, don’t worry.”
I’m not sure why I’d be worried about that, but I don’t ask.
I look through my texts, starting with the ones from Dalton. His most recent message—one week ago—is a picture of a tiny baby. My new niece or nephew! I scroll up and see that he’s named Cecil, and he was born a week before Christmas. I stare at the words that I apparently sent last week.
ME: Can’t wait to meet him!
While I was stuck on June 20, the world moved on. It didn’t move on without me; no, a different version of me was living this life, and I have no idea what she did. How does that even work?
Next, I check my text history with Madison. There’s nothing in the last four months. My sister and I aren’t super close, but usually we exchange at least a few texts a month, so this is unexpected. I send her a message, but she leaves me on read.
Hmph.
I almost head out without a jacket—I’m used to June weather—but as I’m about to lock my door, I remember to check the temperature. It’s below freezing, so I pull out my winter coat and a hat before leaving. I make a quick stop at a bookstore before going to meet my friend.
When I arrive at the coffee shop, I get a black coffee and head to the back corner. Avery joins me a few minutes later, and I hand her the book that I promised to buy.
“I can’t believe I forgot about this! Thank you.” She strokes the cover, and I’m distracted by the ring on her finger.
“Oh my god,” I say. “Are you engaged?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” she says dryly. “I’m engaged to Joe. I have to end it, of course, but before I do anything, I’ll wait to see if tomorrow is actually January twenty-fifth.”
The man next to us gives us an odd look before returning his attention to his phone.
“Which version of June twentieth was the real one?” Avery asks, dropping her voice.
“The first one,” I reply. “Based on my credit card statement.”
“That’s smart. I had no idea how to figure it out, except clearly, it wasn’t one where I broke up with Joe. Although I guess we could have gotten back together.” She looks at the ring on her finger and shudders. “How did you make a mess of your life in the last seven months?”
“I’m not sure yet. My sister might be mad at me, but other than that, it’s hard to say. Still at the same job. Living in the same place. My sister-in-law had her baby.” I show Avery the latest picture. She makes appropriate cooing noises, but I can tell she’s preoccupied. I don’t blame her.
“I have no idea how long we’ve been engaged. Or how it happened.”
