Page 14 of Catch Me If You Can

“Maybe she found out about Jamie last night.” Tony snickers.

I throw another pillow at his head that he dodges. “She wouldn’t care.”

Our relationship status is currently…off?Undefined.

It started with me trying to pull her away from Nathaniel. That’s the part I don’t like to think about. But once I saw who she was underneath the popularity and cheerleader outfit, I realized she was actually pretty sharp, witty, and the kind of funny that sneaks up on you. So yeah, we justclicked. And stuck.

But we’re both addicts in our own way. She craves attention while I run from commitment. The sort of duo that never really settles into anything. But, it works for us so who am I to complain?

My phone buzzes again.

SarBear: I’m in the city tonight. Let’s grab dinner. I need to talk to you.

Shit. Maybe I was wrong.

“Sarah’s in town. You good for dinner tonight?” I call to Tony, who’s already halfway into the fridge.

“As long as you bring back food,” he says, pulling out a container of rice and turkey like it’s gold.

I shoot Sarah a reply.

Me: Meet you at Gusto at 6.

***

I live for New York in the spring.

Something about the people busy in the streets. The sidewalks blooming with energy. The scent of blooming dogwoods and food carts, and I finally remember why I love this place.

I throw on my go-to black button-down and beige pants. My hair’s slightly disheveled, the strands falling over my eyes the way Sarah likes so I leave it.

Gusto is dim and cozy, humming with the low buzz of after-work chatter. She’s already there, center of the room in a yellow sundress that makes her skin glow. Her hair is pinned back in a sleek ponytail that falls over her shoulder, gold hoops dangling from her ears glistening in the light.

She looks like an absolute star.

“Hey, babe,” she says, soft and distant. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

I pull her into a hug, holding on a second longer than usual. It’s been weeks. I didn’t realize how much I missed her until now.

“So? How’s it been going?” I kiss the top of her head, fingers brushing the back of her neck.

She eases out of my hold and slides into her chair. Her coldness is giving me the heebie-jeebies. Her body language is sending me all the wrong signals. She’s never this quiet.

"What’s wrong?" I ask, settling into the seat across from her.

Sarah fidgets with her fork. “Caleb…”

Her voice is shaky, making my stomach tighten.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about us. And… what are we even doing?”

I blink. “Uh… we’re two people who love each other and—”

“No.” She cuts me off. “We’re two people who don’t know what the hell we’re doing.”

The words hang in the air. Where did this come from? Dammit…maybe she did find out about my night last night.

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