“Wait,” he whispers. “Theneighbour. The one you hate?”
“Hated,” Icorrect. “Haven’t had time to tell you the deets, but we kind of ended up in Africa together.”
He turns toward me with a confused frown. “What are you talking about? The volunteer trip you took? She was there?”
“Yep,” I add quickly. “Anyway, we’re good now.”
Katherine takes her place across from me, eyes dancing up to meet mine again. I shoot her a knowing grin. She subtly shakes her head, but her lips twitch like she’s trying not to laugh.
What are the odds, huh? Uganda, and now this? I’m a big believer in fate, and the plans of the Universe, and I’m pretty sure it’s trying to tell us something right now.
Chapter 12
"I think the Universe is trying to give us a hint.”
Kat
The ceremony was like something out of a dream, and we’re now taking pictures to capture the magic of the moment. People laugh, pose, and scatter into little groups. I keep glancing at Archie, just to make sure he’s not a heatstroke-induced hallucination. But nope—he’s really here. At my best friend’s wedding. Wearing a tuxedo that triples his good looks and charisma. As if he even needed the boost.
We take one last portrait with all the friends before Grace and Noah are whisked away by guests wanting to congratulate them.
“What are you doing here?” a deep, familiar voice rumbles behind me, sending a shiver down my spine. “Did you follow me?”
Spinning around, I can’t repress my grin as my mind flashes back to that moment in Uganda. “Hey, you.”
“At least I don’t have a ball this time,” he says with a wince, adjusting the cuff of his tux like it’s second nature.
“No,” I say, tilting my head. “But you do have a spider in your—”
He yelps, jerking backwards and flailing his arms like he’s under attack.
People are starting to glance our way, so I step toward him. “I’m kidding.”
“What?” He blinks, wide-eyed. “You’re—that’s not cool.”
“Couldn’t help myself,” I murmur, still chuckling. “Sorry.”
We pause. And for a few precious seconds, we just stare at each other, our smiles slowly fading into a soft, quiet expression. There’s something charged in the air—a feeling we’re both trying to navigate but don’t know how.
“This is crazy,” he finally says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Why do we keep meeting like this? I think the Universe is trying to give us a hint.”
“I don’t believe in the Universe, or fate,” I shoot back, folding my arms. “I believe in medicine and science.”
He arches an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling. “Well, is there a formula to solve why we keep bumping into each other in different places? Science was never my strong suit.”
I smile despite myself. “It is weird, I’ll give you that.” I sigh. “I don’t know. Just a coincidence, I guess.”
“Nah,” he says, his grin lighting up his face. “I think we’re supposed to be boyfriend and girlfriend, or—”
I snort. “Boyfriend and girlfriend? What are you, twelve?”
“Yeah, a part of me probably still is,” he says, flashing that disarming smile again—the one that makes my stomach flip before I can stop it. I avert my eyes, clearing my throat as he continues, “It’s fate, Katherine. You’re going to have to accept it.”
I open my mouth to retort, but Grace’s voice cuts through the moment like the chime of a bell. “Kat! Maid of honor duties!”
I exhale with relief I didn’t know I needed. “Sorry. See you ’round.”
“Oh, yeah,” he says, that addictive smile still in place. “I’m sure you will.”
