Page 110 of Places We've Never Been

“We were supposed to never see each other again.”

“That was definitely the plan.”

“Is fate trying to help us out?”

“Do you believe in fate?” I asked.

“Sometimes,” he said. “What about you?”

“Maybe.” My eyes drifted to Skyler on the bench with the pretty girl. “Maybe fate is helping me out right now. Letting me see something I need to see so that I can move forward with my life in a week and a half.”

Ty looked over his shoulder and must’ve seen Skyler because he said, “Or maybe fate is giving you some motivation.”

I sighed. “To do what?”

“March over there and claim what’s yours.”

“I’ve analyzed every single scenario of how that could play out and there is only one that is slightly decent.”

“Did you just quoteDoctor Strange? Are you telling me you can see the future? Is Thanos going to destroy all versions of your love life?”

I laughed. “I didn’t mean to quote him, but I did, didn’t I?”

He smirked and then said, “Could you at least let me save a little dignity and pretend you rejected me because you wanted to go after him?”

“Oh, yes, that is definitely what you should tell yourself. And I’m going to tell myself that he doesn’t want me because we live way too far away. You can use that excuse for us too.”

“That’s a good one.”

“But what we should really be telling ourselves is that we don’t need another person to complete us.”

He pointed up toward the food hut. “I’m going to get something to eat and try to find my other half.”

I laughed. “Good luck.”

He started to walk away.

“Ty?”

He turned back. “You really are a nice guy. Thanks.”

“For being a nice guy?”

I nodded.

He jerked his head toward Skyler. “Living too far away is not a good excuse if you really like someone. Just saying.” He smiled at me, then turned away.

My eyes found Skyler again. It was a good excuse for not starting arelationship,but he didn’t get to let go of our friendship so easily. I let my indignation fill me up and I walked until I stood in front of the bench. “Hi,” I said when Skyler looked up at me.

“Hi,” he said.

“Can I talk to you?”

“I’m a little busy right now,” he said.

I looked at the girl, who had sat up straight at my arrival, but her arm was still hooked in Skyler’s. “Hi,” I said. “I’m Norah.”

“Heidi.”