Page 83 of Click of Fate

“You did bail on last week’s brunch with Ruth and ghosted the group chat for four days,” Layla says, with exactly zero judgment but maximum accuracy.

Cassie leans in, her candle jars already wicked and ready for the oil. “Spill. You and Climber Guy…”

I sigh, sliding my scent strip across the table. “I ended it.”

There’s a pause. The kind that makes space for someone to either soften or say something brave.

Layla speaks first. “Because…?”

“I don’t do relationships,” I say automatically. “You all know that.”

“Yeah, and I don’t do cardio, but I still got guilted into Peloton rides with Cole,” Cassie mutters. “Growth. It happens.”

I’m granted a reprieve when a staff member carries out a tray of hot melted wax, our oils, and a quick rundown of how to pour the wax. But I know these women, and none of them will let the subject drop.

I organize my oils, putting all my focus into the task at hand. Apparently I’m an indecisive bitch who can’t even decide what scent profile I want, so I’m making two candles. I group the ceder, amber, and smoked vanilla together, and then the bergamot, white tea, and fresh linen. When I look up from my work, Cassie and Layla are both staring at me, waiting for me to continue. I take a deep breath.

“It was too good,” I say quietly. “Hewas too good.”

Cassie tilts her head. “And that’s a bad thing… how?”

“It felt like I couldn’t breathe,” I admit. “Like one more perfect moment, and I was going to start believing in something I couldn’t guarantee.”

Harper stirs her wax and doesn’t say anything. But she’s listening. I can feel it.

Hazel lets out a slow breath. “I haven’t dated in a year because the last guy told me my ambition was intimidating. You’ve got a man who makes your niece giggle and looks at you like you’re art—and you ran?”

“Fast,” I say.

“Look,” I start, swirling one of my oils in slow circles. “I told him I didn’t do relationships. From the start. But then…”

“You caught feelings,” Cassie says gently, not unkind.

Hazel hums from the end of the table. “They have a way of sneaking up on you.”

I nod, lips tight. “It got too serious. Too fast.”

“You mean it felt real,” Layla says.

“Exactly.”

“And real is scary,” Harper adds quietly. “Even when it’s good.”

I meet her eyes across the table. She gets it more than anyone.

Layla shakes her head with a soft smile. “I spent years convincing myself Cole wasn’t for me just because the timing sucked. Then one day, I realized I was the only one getting in my way.”

Cassie nods. “Theo and I fought constantly at the beginning. I called him a grumpy, emotionally unavailable nightmare. Now I just call him mine.”

They’re not judging me. That’s the worst part.

They’re rooting for me.

Which makes the guilt tighten just a little more.

“I panicked,” I whisper. “And now I don’t know how to fix it.”

“You don’t fix it,” Layla says gently. “You just… try again.”

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