You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(53)

“If the astronomy thing doesn’t work out, you would be a great chef,” I tell him and take another sip of coffee. “You know what they say…whether a poet looks through a pantry or telescope, he always sees the same thing.”

“Is that a real quote?”

“I might have revised it a little.”

He smiles. “And what’s it supposed to mean, exactly?”

“It means you see the possibility in things,” I say confidently. “Regardless of what you do. Everything’s a universe, if you really think about it.”

“I like that,” he says, nodding. “Maybe you should major in philosophy.”

“Don’t know if I’m smart enough for that.”

“I think you’re smarter than you think you are.”

I don’t say anything back because I’m not used to hearing people say this about me.

We finish breakfast, but we stay at the table, enjoying each other’s company. Of course, I don’t want to intrude on his entire day. Ben has several assignments that are due this week. His notes are spread out across the coffee table. But it feels like the universe gave us extra time. Maybe we shouldn’t let it go to waste.

Ben notices me looking at his unfinished work. He puts it away and says, “I can finish this later. Let’s find something fun to do!”

“Procrastinating on schoolwork? Sounds like I’m rubbing off on you.”

“I’m allowed to take breaks,” he says, shrugging it off. “Since you’re already here, I can show you more of Seattle. Maybe convince you to move here someday.”

“You really want me to stay, don’t you?”

Ben smiles and kisses me on the lips. Eventually, I help him wash the dishes and put everything away. I only have my suit jacket with me. So he lets me borrow a coat. Then we head outside and take a stroll through the neighborhood. Ben shows me his favorite bookstore with a secret door in the back that leads to a sandwich shop. We grab some hot chocolate and walk around the park together. A woman lets us pet her goldendoodle. Then we take the bus to Pier 57 to watch the boats pass. He wins a keychain of a goldfish for me at the arcade. I’ve been on the Ferris wheel before, but it feels different with him. We hold hands as we’re lifted into the sky. I’ve lost track of how many times he stopped to steal a glance at me.

I wish we could spend every day together. I don’t want to keep waking up without him. This must be what it feels like to fall in love without saying the word. The way he stares at me says he’s thinking the same. I don’t know why we were connected this way, but I like to believe there’s a reason for it. Maybe we’re part of some cosmic story, stretching throughout the universe. I just hope it has a good ending.

As much as I want time to stay frozen, eventually I need to head back home. Ben walks me to the bus station and waits with me. He pulls me in for a long hug and kisses me before I have to go.

“I wish you didn’t live…so far,” he whispers.

“Seriously.”

He kisses me again. “I’m not sure how, but I hope we can do this again someday.”

“I hope so, too.” I’ve never felt closer to him.

Then I step onto the bus headed back to Ellensburg. For the first time, I’m certain that one day, we’ll get to truly be together.





Chapter

Twenty



I wake up with an ache on my neck and shoulder. It often happens when I sleep on the sofa at the apartment. I texted Mom last night, letting her know I was staying over. It was still fall when I returned from Seattle. The timeline usually changes when I wake up in the morning. I don’t exactly understand the way it works. Especially after yesterday. But I wasn’t planning to go back to my old dorm with Connor. I open my eyes slowly and the room comes into focus.

For some reason, I’m still on Mom’s sofa. I thought I would have woken up in my own bed by now. I check the calendar on my phone—December 2. What am I still doing in Ben’s timeline? Eventually, I send him a text message.

So…update



I haven’t gone back yet



Not really sure what’s different this time



Thankfully, he’s already awake.

What do you mean?



I usually wake up in my own timeline



But it’s still the fall for me



Huh that’s really weird



Maybe it’s just taking longer than usual



Yeah, I’m sure you’re right



I just have to give it some more time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I can pretend none of my assignments are due. I get up and take a look around the apartment. Mom must have left for work already. What am I supposed to do with the day though? I guess I could watch some television to kill the time.

Then I remember something. Julie should still be in town. That means I can spend some time with her. I try to pull up her location, but my phone is being weird today. The screen keeps blacking out when I open an app. It probably just needs another restart. At least I can still text her.

Hi! What are you up to?



Julie doesn’t respond right away. So I text her again.

Julieeeeeeee