Page 115 of Tempting Fate

“You can be sad about that, too. Grieve the loss of something you never had. People do that all the time, you know?”

“They do?”

“Sure. You were doing it about your boyfriends, weren’t you? In between all the drama, sounds like.”

I laugh and shake my head. “It’s been a lot of drama,” I agree.

“It has.” She squeezes my hands again, then lets go. “So what’s the plan for today?”

“We have to go meet some people. Spend time with them. I think they want to check up on Jamie.” I’m kind of itching to get back to him, too. Not that I want to leave Cate. I want her to meet them.

“And after that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s pretty fucking obvious I’m not moving you out of here and back up north today. You’re planning on staying. With them.”

“No, I—I thought you’d give me a reality check.”

Cate hums. She purses her lips and nods. “Okay.”

I take a deep breath. “Okay, give it to me.”

“You’re going to take me to wherever your boyfriends are, and I’m going to meet them.”

Nerves erupt in my stomach. “Yeah, okay.”

“And then, once I’m sure they’re good enough for that starry-eyed look on your face, I’ll approve and you’ll say that you don’t need my approval because you love to be a contrary bitch, but secretly you’ll be happy and I’ll be happy and you’ll all live happily ever after.”

“I don’t think it works like that,” I say numbly, watching as she gets to her feet.

She raises an eyebrow. “Really? Because I do.” She eyes Lark, who is watching us curiously, then looks back at me. “Also magical, right?”

“I-I think.”

“Cool. I’m gonna pay for my tea. Let’s go.”

I pause as we reach the front door. When I look back at Cate, she cocks one eyebrow in question.

“Look, just… I know it’s weird. And too fast. But can you…?”

“I’ll be cool, Em.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. I know she will. I know. It’s just nerve-wracking, having her meet them, having—

The door swings open. Nick is standing on the other side and he frowns at me, puzzled. “Forgot your key?”

“No, I—” Cate pushes past me and sticks out her hand.

“Cate. Which one are you?”

Nick snorts but shakes her hand. “Neither. I’m Nick. Come on. They’ll be excited to meet you.”

Cate kicks off her shoes by the door and follows Nick into the living room. I’m only a step behind her and my heart skips a beat when I see Patch and Jamie sitting there. Jamie has a book in his lap and Patch has his arm around Jamie’s shoulders.

Want sizzles through me. Jamie recovers fastest, putting his book aside. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I reply.