Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

“Busy.”

The silence falls between us again, speaking a thousand words neither one of us can say.

This is it!

I have no other choice.

I’ve fallen in love with Morgan. For us to make it work, I need to let go of my past and admit that certain things will need to change.

“I came here because…” I search for the right words to verbalize how I feel without hurting her feelings. “I think I’m in love with Morgan.”

Kate’s expression remains fixed, her slow and steady gait gives nothing away. With her fingertips running against the edge of the table, her mouth curves upward into a small smile.

“Of course, you are,” she tells me, “It was bound to happen.”

“But I—” I stop mid-sentence, confused by her response. “How did you know?”

She purses her lips, tilting her head to the side. “Sometimes, you just know.”

With a breath escaping my lips, I bow my head, ignoring the more pressing problem. We can carry on as friends, but we’d be burying the truth that our friendship will never be the same. Gone are the nights of texting with an occasional request for a nude picture just to drive each other crazy. Our impromptu visits to our laying in each other’s arms to comfort our own heartbreak will all be a thing of the past.

This relationship stuff is hard, but I know Morgan has an issue with Kate, and there’s no way I can balance the two women in my life.

And suddenly, I’m torn.

I don’t want to say goodbye to Kate, but I can’t ignore how I feel about Morgan any longer. Decisions need to be made, and for once, I have to make them responsible.

“Noah, it’s time for you and Morgan. I’ll always be here as your friend.”

She says the words I need her to say. Almost as if she reads my mind and knows exactly what thoughts are jumbled inside of me, piecing it together to make some sort of sense.

“You’ll be okay,” I tell her, my voice low, unable to look her in the eye. “You always were going to be okay.”

Rising from the chair, I stop myself from reaching out as I’ve always done, embracing her, smelling the scent of her strawberry shampoo while burying my face into her hair. Deep inside, I’m scared if I touch her, I won’t be able to let her go. Desperately holding onto what we have because navigating through life without her by my side is a life not worth living.

She brings out the best in me.

I’m going to fucking miss her, but just like Charlie suggests, I follow my gut.

I say goodbye to Kate.

To us.

And to our friendship as we know it.

NOAH

Just my luck, the flight is delayed—another reason why I hate flying. I’m taking the red-eye back to California to finally take charge of my life. I know I want her. I just don’t know what I’m going to do or how to go about it. I thought that five hours on the plane might give me the answers I so desperately need, but between the screaming kids and the woman who excused herself a million times to use the restroom, I’m no closer to the desired outcome.

And five hours gives me too much time to think about Kate. I miss her, and I just left her. But I’m certain that all those feelings will disappear once Morgan is back in my arms.

I’m back to square one without a plan of attack on life in general.

What makes this non-plan more difficult is the fact that I have no idea where Morgan lives. The only person who can help me is Scarlett.

It’s late at night, just after eight, when I drive to her place and pull up to the gate. The guard calls the house, and Scarlett’s quick to let me in. As soon as I park the car, I step outside and walk with ease to her front door. Upon pressing the doorbell, she opens it within seconds, dressed only in a white negligee slightly covered in a matching white robe.

Fuck, she must have company.