She holds up a finger and waves it. “Nope. I call bullshit.”

“What?”

“You’re self-sabotaging. You do this when you care about someone. I should know, you’ve done it to me many many times. Well, I’m not giving you the satisfaction of throwing your little pity party.”

I hold up my hands in fake surrender. “Woah, Sarah. Ouch. Don’t feel the need to hold back,” I say sarcastically.

“Well, you have to hear this. I’m not letting you ruin something good again. Not this time. We both hurt Nathan prom night, not just you. And you know what I did? I owned it. I apologized. You should’ve done that too. He’s one of the most honest people I’ve ever met. He would’ve forgiven you.”

I frown, confused. “Why? Why do you care so much now?”

She softens. “Because I get it now. Of course that was the reason you did what you did. It’s the reason you’re doing it now. You two are soulmates. Two halves of a whole. There’s something between you that’s undeniable—it’s been there all along. And you’re scared, Caleb. It makes sense then and I see it in your eyes now. You’re in love. You always have been.”

My heart pounds. I look around the restaurant, trying to ground myself. I think I’ve known it deep down too, but I haven’t really allowed myself to admit it.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter, looking down. “I guess it wasn’t really fair to you, either.”

She shrugs. “No. I was a little hurt, I won’t lie. But for the record, I didn’t totally hate the attention. Two hot guys chasing after me? It was kind of the dream,” she says with a smirk, taking another drink. “Plus, I was sort of a dick stringing you two along for so long. This is one hell of a payback.” She smiles softly, bringing her drink up to her lips.

I nod simply, replaying the words she said.

“You’re in love.”

She’s right. I love everything about Nathaniel. His kindness, his intelligence, how he makes every moment feel exciting and new. Being with him feels like discovering the world all over again.

“Yeah... I’m in love with him,” I finally say, exhaling deeply. It feels like a huge weight lifts off my chest. “Is that weird for you?”

Sarah smiles and reaches across the table, taking my hand. “No. I love you both so much. But I’ve got a lot to figure out on my own. I wasn’t doing either of you any favors. Still, I want to be in both of your lives—if you’ll have me.”

I squeeze her hand. “Always. You really are amazing, you know.”

She shrugs. “I know,” she says with a wink.

I laugh.

“Just do me one favor,” she says quietly.

“Anything.”

“Fight for him. He deserves it.”

I blink at her, and she’s right. Nathan spent so long doing the chasing—maybe it’s finally time he gets caught.

“I think I may have an idea,” I smile.