Page 82 of The Fate Factor

I know thisisthe question, and it’s met with a somersault sensation inside my chest, a knee-jerk:This can’t be real.

Though, who would have thought any of the rest of it could be real? This serendipity, this fate. So much has changed since I showed up here afraid of the emptiness I thought I’d find being here without Nana. It’s been filled with so many other things that I was missing—painting like I used to, more time with Kate. And things I didn’t even know I was missing, like Jamie and everything he comes with, including this opportunity. I could barely stand for him to leave my bed this morning. How can I walk away from him now? If I trust the visions, I know he’s where I’m supposed to be. And he’s here.

He showed me how to want things, and the visions showed me that all of these things are tied together. Everything I want is in this place.

Kiss Jamie. Don’t leave. Boom. Universe Achievement unlocked.

It has to be the point of all of this. I think I’m supposed to stay.

“Yes,” I tell Cara. “I want to do the whole thing.”

“Then you’re hired!” She stands and wraps her arms around my shoulders. I brace myself for the panic to come, theoh my God, what did I just dodropping in my stomach. But it doesn’t. I’m not sure it won’t when I have to actually make this call to Vi, but for now, excitement rushes up my body. I hug Cara back and it spills out of me in giddy laughter.

It kind of feels like I can’t lose.

twenty-five

Jamie

Bymidday,I’mantsy behind the bar. I know Cara’s going to fall in love with Noe’s work. It’s a perfect match for Cara Bean, the florals and bright colors. But I don’t know if Noel will accept it. If she’ll stay. I’m trying not to get my hopes up high enough for the fall to be devastating.

I deliver an order to the end of the bar just as Wes emerges from his office. I forgot he was still here. He doesn’t usually stay this late, though I haven’t been here in a while, so maybe that changed without me noticing.

I glance at the door for the hundredth time. If he sticks around much longer, worlds are going to collide.

“Can I get one?” he asks.

“Sure.” I pull a glass. I don’t need to ask what he wants. He only drinks our original ale. Sometimes I think his faith in me only went as far as a one hit wonder.

I slide it to him, and he takes a long pull.

It’s terrible timing and perfect timing when the front door swings open, and Noel walks in, both hands clutched around her messenger bag strap across her front.

Finally. I know this is about to bite me in the ass with Wes here, but I don’t care. I’m so happy to see her.

I leave Wes, stepping around the bar to meet her at the wait station, pulling her flush against me. “Hey, gorgeous.” My voice sounds tight, caught in my throat.

“Hi.” Her hands slide over my shoulders, and she pushes to her toes, kissing me softly. My blood heats instantly. It’s such a small thing, a kiss hello, fingers at the back of your neck, but when you haven’t had it in so long, it’s dizzying.

When she pulls away, she bounces a little. Her lip is tightly between her teeth, eyes wide. She’s excited. It has to be good news.

“How’d it go?”

“It was so good, Jamie.”

I press a thumb to her chin, my heart in my throat. “Does that smile mean you said yes?”

“Yes. I said yes.”

My breath rushes out in a gust, and I wrap her in a tight hug, lifting her onto her toes.

“I think we’re going to work so well together,” she says into my shoulder, and I’m listening, I really am, but my whole body is vibrating with relief. I want to punch the air. I want to carry her right up those stairs, drop her in my bed, and show her how desperate I was for this answer.

She gives a little squeak when I squeeze her too hard, and I set her back down with a kiss that I have to force myself to to end.

“Sorry. Fuck. Tell me everything.”

“Cara’s giving me, like, complete creative control. I haven’t been this excited about a project since college. Thank you so much for introducing us. For setting this up.”

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