Page 20 of Click of Fate

No number.

No last name.

No trace of her.

That’s exactly how she wanted it.

My fingers hover over the screen. But again, I have nothing to type.

Instead, I push back from my desk, tossing my phone on top as I stand. After I stretch, I decide to get back to work.

"You need to sell Indy on why they need this place."

I replay Ray’s words in my mind. That’s where my head needs to be. Not on the woman who disappeared like a ghost. I grab my own climbing gear from my office, shaking off all thoughts of her.

Back to work.

Chapter 6

RELENTLESS MENACE

STELLA

My heart hammersin my chest as I stare up at Squeaky Bum Climb, a massive warehouse-style building that houses one of the most state-of-the-art indoor climbing facilities in the city. Based on the photos I saw online, it’s an impressive space, sleek, modern, and meticulously designed for adventure.

But what’s even more impressive? The man who runs the place.

The same man I slept with three weeks ago and had zero plans of ever seeing again.

Yet, here I am. Because apparently, fate is a relentless menace who doesn’t know when to quit.

Rewind to two weeks ago when I met with the editor-in-chief ofHoosier Insider, I was eager to take on some local contracts—a few assignments to get me back into the swing of things while I’m in Indy. At the time, I had no idea what the assignments actually were.

Then, two days ago, I got the official list of businesses I’d be covering for a feature on urban adventure activities.

Squeaky Bum Climb was on the list.

The name rang a bell immediately. A quick search confirmed why.

Luke Farley.

The man. The myth. The ridiculously good one-night stand.

For a solid two minutes, I panicked. But then I reminded myself that it was just one night. No awkward goodbye. No lingering expectations.

Luke was fun. The sex? Incredible. And if I’m being honest, I genuinely enjoyed flirting with him. But that’s all it was. Nothing more.

Besides, this is work. I’m a professional, and if there’s one thing I can already tell about Luke, even after just a single night, it’s that he probably is too. It’s been three weeks. We’re both over it.

At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself.

But now, sitting here in my car, staring up at the building, my calm, logical reasoning is being drowned out by the sudden rise of anxiety creeping up my spine.

I inhale deeply, gripping my camera bag a little tighter.

Because now…it’s real.

I can’t pretend like I imagined him, like that night didn’t happen. I can’t push it to the back of my mind as some fleeting, reckless decision I made and walked away from without a second thought.

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