Page 63 of The Fate Factor

I picture us doing this as kids, Nana puttering around the kitchen, mixing Shirley Temples and making us popcorn, pretending not to eavesdrop. I always assumed that was how she got the information she needed for the “visions” she’d have later when Kate would beg her to get out the candles. Obviously, I’m remembering it differently now.

“I saw your paintings,” Kate says. The soft brush touches my lashline and I try not to think about Staph infections.

“They’re not what I need to be working on.”

I feel her shrug even though my eyes are closed. “I think you need to be working on whatever makes you happy. You know, I was afraid you wouldn’t settle in here. That you would live out of your suitcase the whole three months.”

I wince at the way I’ve been avoiding Nana’s room. Her door is still closed, and I’ve taken to giving it a wide berth every time I pass it, like it might fly open on its own and force me to look.

“I didn’t bring enough clothes for that,” I reply.

Kate leans back to look, then gestures for me to close my other eye. “Noel, I don’t think this is the end that you think it is. Even if you changed something with Jamie, even if youdidn’tsee your future, don’t be disappointed in yourself for believing in something for a little while.Youthree hours north was always different fromyouat home. That’s why I wanted you to come here to figure out your shit.”

I squeeze my lids shut again. I’m going to be a blue, glittery mess if I let these tears come. If I let any of it—

There’s a loud pounding on the door, and we both jump. “Who’s coming here?” Kate asks.

“It’s probably Colin missing you.”

She snorts. “I invited him. He said thanks, but no thanks.”

I scoop my wine from the coffee table and head to the door, unlocking the deadbolt and swinging it open.

It is not Colin, and despite knowing very few people in this city, I could still name a handful of them I would expect to see standing on my porch before Jamie.

“Hi.” My voice is barely more than air.

He runs a hand over the back of his head and tips back on his heels. “Hey, Noe.”

It’s self-preservation, I think, the way my brain forgets just how handsome he is until he’s standing in front of me. He’s hatless, wearing the green hoodie that I love. The one that makes his eyes change from the color of cream soda to the bottom of a river when the sun shines through.

And I’m dressed like a rabbit with blue eyelids. Oh my God.

The fact that he only gives this a fraction of an eyebrow raise hits me low in my belly. There’s no smart remark, no flirting—just a twitch of his jaw. A nervous dart of his eyes over my shoulder. Longing tugs me like a lasso to the center of my chest.

“What are you doing here?”

“I hope it’s okay. I did actually call first but—”

“You called me?” I’m absolutely wrecked that I didn’t see it, which is maybe one of those non-cosmic signs right in front of me. I pat the pockets of this ridiculous outfit but my phone is somewhere else. Probably under the coffee table or behind a wine box on the counter. “I didn’t see it, I was—”

“Having a one-person costume party?” The corner of his mouth twitches.

I huff out a laugh. “Um, there are two of us, actually.”

I turn to see Kate staring wide-eyed over the back of the couch. “Holy shit, it’s you.”

Jamie watches helplessly as she crosses the room and pushes his chest with her index finger like she expects it to go straight through. “I wasn’t prepared.”

At least she looks as ridiculous as I do with her lopsided braid and dog pajamas.

“Kate, right?” Jamie asks.

“Good memory. You lookexactlythe same.”

He doesn’t, though. His hair is different. And the scruff on his face. But she wasn’t paying as close attention as I was that night.

Kate stares at him for a few more beats, then turns to me wide-eyed. The room gets a good ten degrees warmer. Finally, she claps her hands once like a gavel. “I’m going to go.”

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