Page 36 of Time Loops & Meet Cutes
I’m prepared for it to taste terrible. Last time, the first beer he gave me was a pale ale, and I didn’t like it. But this is really good.
It’s the hefeweizen.
I don’t say that, though; after all, I just told him that I know nothing about beer. Also, I’m struggling to gather my thoughts. It’s like he knew the beer I prefer, even if he doesn’t remember that day. When he forgot my name, I thought our date didn’t make a difference… but apparently, it did, however small.
“I’ll get a pint of this,” I say at last.
“I had a feeling you’d like it.”
“A feeling. What do you mean, exactly?”
He shrugs, then goes to pull a pint. “I don’t know. Just did. It’s the oddest thing.”
Is Cam the key to sorting out the time loop? He remembers the beer I like, he keeps thinking I look familiar—and I’ve stumbled across him in three different places on June 20.
Or is this a sign that we’re meant to be, even if the kiss didn’t work?
I shake my head.Meant to be? What’s wrong with me?
But at the very least, I should spend more time with Cam and try to figure this out. That’s only sensible. What else might he remember? Will it lead me to any answers?
As it gets busier, I admire the easy way he talks to people, hisfluid motions behind the bar. I recall what it was like to have those arms around me.
After I pay, he slides me a scrap of paper with his number. No pressure, he assures me, but I can text him if I like.
And I do.
We meet up at the night market again, and once again, he suggests dumplings.
“No, I’ve had a lot of dumplings lately. I’ll try something else.” I tilt my head. “But speaking of dumplings, have you ever heard of dumplings that make you travel in time? Or, random example here, relive a day over and over?”
“Uh…”
“Forget it. It’s just a story one of my heiress friends told me, but she was high on designer drugs at the time.”
We get our food and sit on the same bench as before.
“You know,” Cam says, “I just had the strangest sense of déjà vu. Like I’ve eaten bulgogi poutine here with you before.”
“Yeah?” I hesitate. “What did we do afterward?”
“I saw someone eating taiyaki, and that sounds good to me.” He leans in, his breath tickling my ear. “But I also…”
There’s a very, very intense pause. He’s feeling me out, trying to figure out whatIwant. There are lots of people around us, but I’m most aware of him, of how close he is to me.
With another man, before this time loop, I wouldn’t have been so sure. So bold. But it’s Cam, and I’ve already kissed him, even if he doesn’t remember.
And maybe, once he feels my lips on his…
I shift my tray of food to one hand, and I dance the fingers of my other hand over his shoulder. “What about after you eat dessert?”
“We’ll see.” He winks at me.
This time, I get taiyaki too, and once again, we end upbehind a building as we eat. After he throws away our paper bags, I say, “Good thing my jet touched down in Toronto today.”
“I agree.”
When he lifts a hand to my cheek, I know what’s coming next. I breathe rapidly in anticipation as I wrap my arm around him and pull him close.
