Close to Destiny (A Magical Love Story)

Chapter 41

May 13, a minute before midnight

I don't remember how I got through the day or how I felt as I hurried north along Broadway. I refused to think of my mother and the conversation that shamed me. I had always been able to contain the frustration and hurt. Why now, today, had I snapped? It was as if my whole life had reached the boiling point.

Everything was a blank until I tapped softly on the windowpane and caught Will's eye through the glass. In an instant, he was opening the door. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I fell into his arms.

"I almost thought you wouldn't come," he whispered, his lips brushing against my hair. My heart beat wildly. Sadness. Elation. Confusion.

I shook my head but couldn't speak.

"I'm sorry I had to announce the news that way."

"It's not your fault," I mumbled. "But I don't understand. You have more to tell me?"

I took a step back and looked into his eyes.

"Let's go back to my place, where we can talk," he said.

Five minutes later. Around the block, and three stories high. A charming brownstone apartment decorated in various shades of gray and splotches of red here and there. We settled on the couch facing a naked bay window, but I didn't pay a bit of attention to the view. I only could focus on Will.

He handed me a glass of Petrus-Pomerol. The red wine traced a smooth journey down my throat, and I prayed that it soon would have a calming effect on me.

"Destiny was a medium, Kat."

"I know that. After seeing your message, I found an article on the Internet."

Will grinned.

"I shouldn't have doubted your investigative skills."

"That's why you called me here? To tell me that she was a medium, so I should believe everything she said."

"That's only part of it," he said.

"I'm listening."

He hesitated, took a sip of wine and set his glass down on the translucent coffee table. I had finished mine and was already feeling woozy.

"I also have... a sixth sense."

I furrowed my brow.

"Isn't that a bit of a coincidence?" I asked, my usual skepticism prevailing.

"Not really, considering how we met. A few years ago, I realized I had these... abilities. I was living in London and had heard about Destiny. So I went to see her. She's the one who helped me develop my senses, and she's also the one who uncovered the story. The story about us."

"You expect me to believe both of you? Just like that."

"I don't expect anything. There are things I hope for though."

They say the eyes are the window to the soul. And at that moment, they drew me in, deeper than I would have dared to go. Will's sincerity, pain and desire wouldn't release me.

He was leaning closer, and in what seemed like a split second, our lips touched. Each movement simultaneous, perfect. His skin against mine felt like a new discovery, and then all at once, familiar. At that moment, I didn't care what was or wasn't true. I could only focus on everything that my senses could absorb. The softness of his cotton shirt as I unbuttoned it, the fresh woodsy scent of his skin, the sound of my laughter as I fumbled with my own buttons, the feeling of my heart pounding as our bodies moved together and the taste of delirium as we remained entangled in that long-awaited bliss.

A dull ache. My head was throbbing. Where was I? I was curled up, alone in a strange bed. Large, flat green leaves half shaded the window facing me. I sat up with a start. Will. Memories of the night before flooded my mind. I couldn't help laughing giddily, then stopped.

What had I been thinking? I had come to talk with Will, to clarify the situation. And instead, I ended up sleeping with him and feeling so dazed that I could hardly remember anything about our conversation. Except the part about him being... well, kind of like Destiny. I pushed the silky white sheet aside and a piece of paper fluttered into my hand.

Dear Kat,

You looked so peaceful this morning that I didn't dare wake you. I'm sorry I had to dash off to an early appointment. Last night was wonderful. Please meet me for lunch today. How about the coffee shop across from my gallery around 1?

Will

I needed to take a step back. I had let things run out of control, and I knew that if I met Will in the next couple of hours, history would repeat itself. I have to get out of here, I thought to myself. Before my heart overruled my mind.

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