Close to Destiny (A Magical Love Story)

Chapter 1

Six Months Later

"It looks ravishing on you! How could you possibly hesitate?"

I whirled around, nearly knocking over a hat rack sandwiched between shelves overflowing with gloves and sweaters. A man of about 40 was studying me out of the corner of his eye as his fingers examined a stack of cashmere scarves. We were the only customers in the shop, which was beginning to feel like a particularly small broom closet.

"You thought you were alone?" he continued, pushing up the sleeves of his long black overcoat. "I know it's not that common—most stores are closed after all—but I love shopping on the first day of the year. Always have. It's the best way to avoid the crowds."

He placed a scarf against the arm of his tweed jacket, grimaced, set it back on the shelf, and turned to face me.

"So what's the verdict?"

My hands toyed with the black velvet hat. It had beckoned to me as I plodded along the sidewalk a few minutes earlier, dragging my suitcase and wishing it wasn't so cold in London. Now, I tried it on again. I felt almost lightheaded after taking one nervous glimpse of myself in the mirror.

"There's no reason to wait another minute!" the man said, golden cat-like eyes flashing. "You can't say it isn't beautiful, can you?"

"No, no, it's not that. I just feel kind of odd, that's all."

The man glanced toward the door.

"Is that your suitcase?"

I nodded.

"You've traveled here from the States, haven't you?"

I nodded again.

"How could you expect to feel anything other than odd after such a trip?"

I grinned, both perplexed and amused by his comments, then turned back to the mirror. The hat's rim squashed red ringlets that later escaped like springs around my ears. My fingers rubbed the plush velvet.

And I made my decision. "I'll take it."

"It's already taken care of," a chipper voice said behind me. I turned to the saleswoman, who offered me a silver bag with a bright purple handle. "You can carry it home in the bag or wear it if you'd prefer..."

Then, obviously noticing my confusion, she glanced toward the door. My eyes followed. The man was strolling down the sidewalk. He turned back to us all of a sudden, lifted his umbrella as if toasting with a glass of champagne, then disappeared around the corner.

Once in my hotel room, I stuffed the hat and its mounds of tissue paper into the back of the closet and wondered if I would wear it or if it would become another one of the useless items I had been collecting ever since I needed a distraction from reality.

If you enjoyed this chapter, please vote – thank you!