Again, he is right. But that doesn’t feel satisfying. The satisfying thing would be to blame him for tearing this lost piece of my grandma we finally found.

“I think we all have the right to be freaked after last night. It was more intense than any of us expected,” Chase continues. “I didn’t mean to take the decision from you. I honestly just didn’t want anyone else to have to be the bad guy.”

I reach out my hand and place it on Chase’s, hoping the gesture will speak the volumes I currently can’t. Usually I’m the one to lead the charge while he thinks everything through, but last night was quite the role reversal. On top of everything else, something about this shift doesn’t sit quite right in my gut. Like this might be first tangible sign of the waves of change barreling our way.

“For what it’s worth,” Cleo suddenly jumps in, “I think you did the right thing. That card won’t give Cain any peace. That’s something he needs to give to himself.”

“Well, if we’re sharing,” Logan adds, “I would’ve given the card to Cain.”

I look to Logan in the driver’s seat, feeling that familiar flush of animosity rear its ugly head. However, I then catch a glimpse of Logan’s face in the rearview mirror and I can see it—he feels left out. He wasn’t there for the action last night, and then Chase keeping the card honors my way of thinking over his, in some ways. Seeing Logan’s reaction manages to soften some of my edges.

“While we’re at it, Logan, I want to apologize for getting so fired up at the diner yesterday,” I say. “I know we believe in pretty opposite things, but that’s no excuse.”

“Actually, if you’ll indulge me a minute, I spent some of our drive sorting something out,” Chase interrupts.

I remember he did spend some time scribbling away in his journal early this morning, transcribing more secret thoughts. Those, I’m always eager to hear.

“Especially after studying The Lovers quote in Perilli’s booklet: Could things that appear to be opposites really be two versions of the same source? I know on the surface you two seem to believe in very different things, but let me ask you something. Amelia, why does it matter you believe there’s no such thing as fate?”

I’m not sure where Chase is going with this, but I answer anyway.

“I think relying on some ‘grand design’ is an excuse people can use to act however they want. Exactly the way Cain acted, as a matter of fact. I think we all have to be accountable for our actions, because what we do matters.”

“Right, yes, I thought so,” Chase says, turning to Logan next. “And why do you believe in destiny?”