I tell her about my… encounter with Hoyt in the corner, and the one by the bathroom. She almost chokes when I mention his own prism.
“That explains… I guess,” she finally says when I finish.
“What does?”
“That your prism has a connection to his.”
“You think the prisms are connected?”
“That would make sense.”
“Nothing about any of this makes sense, but I see your point.”
“Did you text him?”
“No, I don’t even know what to say. I feel awful. I hate lying to Aaron.”
“Well, you’re not cheating on Aaron.”
“At this point, it’s just technicalities.”
“Have you thought about asking to postpone the wedding?”
“Whatever I say, it will break his heart. I know it will. I just wish there was a way that didn’t end up with me hurting him.”
“Whatever you decide to do, you can’t go wrong with being honest.”
“Right. I’m just terrified I’m throwing away my…”
“Your what?”
I say, “The one. Aaron was supposed to be the one.”
“If he was, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
My appetite disappears.
“What did you talk to Hoyt about?” I ask her.
“I barely introduced myself when Lara came over. He asked your name.”
“Do you think I should text him?”
“I think you need answers.”
Akira can’t stay long; she has an appointment at the hair salon.
“You sure you don’t want to come along?” she asks as she heads out.
“Next time. I need to sort things out.”
“Text me if you need anything.”
“I will,” I reply, making a mental note to repay all she’s done for me. And in that line of thought, I text Lara to thank her for last night, too.
Half an hour later, I’m walking around the museum, having simply drifted here. I’m sitting in front of a favorite painting of mine—Entrance to the Village of Vétheuil in Winterby Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926)—when I decide to reply to the text.
I read his message again:Hi.
