Page 257 of Fame & Chaos

Mick is standing exactly where I left him.

Watching me.

The guilt returns instantly.

“Hey.” Caleb gently hooks a finger beneath my chin until I’m looking at him instead. “Don’t do that to yourself.”

“I hurt him.”

“You did.” He doesn’t pretend otherwise. “But if he hadn’t been working here today, we never would’ve found each other again.” A slow smile spreads across his face. “You believe in signs, remember?” I can’t help smiling back. “Maybe this was one.”

“Maybe?”

He laughs. “I’d say fate finally got tired of us being idiots.”

I laugh for what feels like the first time in months.

Aston walks over, smiling from ear to ear. “So… what’s the plan?”

Caleb looks at me. “I brought my car.” His eyes light up.

“Would you mind taking me home?”

“I’d love to.”

Aston claps Caleb on the shoulder. “About bloody time.”

Caleb laughs, slipping his hand back into mine as though he has no intention of ever letting go again, and neither do I.

“You too, Aston. And thanks… Amber, was it? For the heads-up about the video.”

She smiles. “That’s right. You’re welcome.”

“Oh, and Aston.” He glances back over his shoulder. “I’m really glad you’ve found happiness again.”

His smile softens, though something guarded flickers behind his eyes. He slips an arm around Amber’s waist, gives me a small nod, and together they head towards his car.

Caleb watches them go. “I’m not sure whether he’s found happiness with Amber or whether he’s just trying to move on from Annie,” he says quietly. “Either way, he’s doing better than I ever managed.”

Guilt settles heavily in my chest once again. “I’m sorry I ran without letting you explain.” I look down at our joined hands. “We made a pact, Caleb. Seeing you with her… then hearing her on the phone…” I shake my head. “It broke me all over again.”

“I know.” He squeezes my hand gently. “Believe me, the second I saw Sasha walk into that after-party, all I could think about was you. She’d been playing us from the very beginning, Indi. Every move she made was calculated.” He brushes his thumb across the back of my hand. “Come back to my place. I’ll make us something to eat, and I’ll tell you everything.”

I nod.

There are too many questions, too many emotions, to try and unravel standing on a London sidewalk.

Without saying another word, I lace my fingers through his and lead him toward my car. “I’ve missed this.”

I glance up at him.

“Holding your hand,” he says with a smile before I even have to ask.

A warmth spreads through my chest. “I’ve missed you.”

As we reach the car, he gently stops me and pulls me into his arms. “This isn’t a dream, is it?” He buries his face against my neck, and I laugh softly, closing my eyes as I breathe him in.

“No.” I smile.