Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

“But I don’t even know what that feels like. And I’ve only known her for three weeks. How can you fall in love with someone after three weeks? Isn’t that too soon?”

She smiles, toying with the wedding band on her finger. “I don’t think there’s a set time. Sometimes it’s love at first sight, and other times, it is with someone who has been there all along. Like a friend, for example,” she trails off, watching me with curious eyes.

“I know where you’re going with this.”

Charlie purses her lips, remaining quiet. Of late, she’s been vocal about my friendship with Kate despite both of us telling her there’s nothing going on.

“Just go with your gut.”

“My gut doesn’t fall in love,” I inform her. “It preys on broken women looking for a rebound. Just like Kate.” I bury my head in my hands, pieces of last night flashing before my eyes. “Did I… you know… with her… last night?”

Charlie stands. “I don’t know, Noah. Kate is upset. I’m not sure what happened, but if you don’t want to lose a friend, you better fix it.”

Great. Now I’m stuck in some sort of problematic triangle all because I followed my gut. The last I can recall, we argued, and I started yelling at her. As to what we argued specifically about, I have no recollection.

“How do I fix it? With Kate, I mean.”

“Give her space right now, okay?” Charlie warns. “Even friendships need the storm to pass to see the rainbow.”

“How do I fix it if you’re telling me to give her space? Why do women have to be so complicated?” I question, though knowing no answer will fix my ninety-nine problems. “Aside from Kate and her obviously being angry with me, I don’t even know where to begin with Morgan.”

“Noah,” she continues, keeping her voice low. “I don’t know what’s going on with Morgan. I like her, I really do. But you need to remember she has a family. A husband and a son.”

“I know, Charlie,” I respond with a bitter taste in my mouth. “My morals tell me to walk away, you’ve been played, and karma is a goddamn bitch.”

She leans in and kisses my forehead, staring back at me with her big brown eyes. “Karma may be a bitch, but sometimes, she’s your best friend.”

“So, you think karma is a woman, too?” I chuckle.

“Hell, yeah,” she laughs along. “Only women would have mood swings like that.”

Charlie leaves me be but not without reminding me to shower and change as we are taking Mom out to Malibu for lunch.

I spend all of Sunday being present for Mom. It’s refreshing to be around her. Mom’s jokes are the highlight of my day along with a delicious meal at Nobu. Charlie joined us with the girls, who Mom absolutely adores.

We reminisce about our childhood, and thankfully, both of them steer clear of my toxic love life. After a nice dinner Mom offers to cook, I call it an early night, trying to catch up on sleep.

***

Monday is a new day. At least that’s the pep talk I give myself while working out this morning at t

he gym. I’ve only been in the office for an hour, and my mind won’t shut down.

It’s bugging me that I don’t recall what happened with Kate, and she hasn’t bothered to call me. She left for Napa yesterday morning, due to return tonight. I decide to call her and ease my troubled mind.

“Hey,” she answers oddly.

“I knew it,” I say, angry at myself.

“Knew what?”

“We fucked. That’s why you didn’t answer the phone in your annoying ‘wazzup.’”

She chuckles softly, releasing a long sigh. “Uh no, I didn’t answer that way… it’s just things are tense.”

“I’m sorry, Kate,” I apologize for my behavior I can’t even recall. Only pieces of last night linger. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Noah,” she interrupts. “We didn’t have sex.”