Page 54 of Click of Fate

We walk into Squeaky Bum, and I’m not even to the front counter when a burst of laughter echoes from the back hallway. Looking up, I see him there. Dressed in that fitted long-sleeve shirt that clings to him in all the right places, walking alongside awoman with shiny waves of honey-blonde hair, sharp heels, and a touch that lingers a little too long on his arm.

He says something. She throws her head back, laughing like they’re on stage.

I freeze.

Lilly tugs at my hand. “That’s Luke!”

I nod, swallowing the knot building in my throat.

Behind the counter, Maddie looks up from her tablet. “Oh, hey! Stella, I still can’t get over those amazing photos you took of this place.”

“Thanks.”

She leans in like she’s letting me in on a secret. “Heads-up. Luke’s ex is in town. That’s her with him now. She’s been around a lot lately, full claws, red lipstick—the whole package.”

I blink. “Ex?”

“Claire. They used to run the Chicago location together. She’s got some big ideas, and Luke’s trying not to murder her. It’s kind of entertaining.”

I try to smile, but I’m suddenly aware of every beat of my pulse.

“Wow,” I say, too quietly.

Maddie doesn’t notice. “She was here earlier, giving me branding tips like I’m not literally the person who built the local following. It was fun.”

My mouth goes dry. “Sounds… intense.”

“Totally. Anyway, she’s just a lot.” Maddie shrugs. “But hey, at least she’s only in town temporarily. Unless she gets her way.”

I murmur some sort of response, but my eyes are glued to the woman now stepping a little too close to Luke. She touches his chest and says something with a smile I don’t trust. He steps back, not rudely, but it’s a line. Still… my skin prickles.

And then he sees me.

His entire expression shifts. He stops walking. Claire doesn’t seem to notice, she just turns to follow his line of sight and zeroes in on me like a heat-seeking missile.

Her gaze slides over me with a smile so practiced it could cut glass.

“Stella,” Luke says, his voice softer now. “Hey.”

I nod. “Hey.”

“This is Claire. Claire, this is—this is Stella Young. She’s a photographer.”

“Ah,” Claire says, reaching out a perfectly manicured hand. “A photographer. Cute.”

I shake her hand. Hers is warm. Perfectly moisturized. Dangerous.

“She’s the photographer for theHoosier Insiderfeature that I told you about,” Luke adds, but his voice is a little tense now.

Claire hums. “I should’ve known. You have that artistic glow.” She rests her hand on Luke’s forearm again. “Well, it was lovely meeting you. Luke, I’ll call you tomorrow. We’ll finish the conversation about expansion—over dinner, maybe?”

She turns and walks away like she knows I’m watching her.

Because I am.

Luke exhales and rubs the back of his neck. “That wasn’t…”

“It’s fine,” I interrupt. “Really.”

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