Mind Reader

by Kirsty McManus

  I almost change my mind, but smile agreeably. “Sure.”

  Kellan doesn’t seem to notice Roxy’s slightly aggressive undercurrent, and leads his next client to the exit.

  Once they’re out of earshot, she turns to me.

  “You may not be a TV show producer, but I still don’t trust you.”

  “I know, and I understand. We totally got off on the wrong foot. I hope in time you’ll forgive me.”

  “Kellan told me he couldn’t predict your soulmate.”

  “Yeah, he said it wasn’t like the other ones where he can’t see…”

  “He told me that too. But what if he was just trying to spare your feelings?”

  “You think he was lying? But he wouldn’t have any reason to lie to you.”

  “He would if he really cared for you. He’d want me to like you.”

  I don’t say anything. Roxy takes that as a sign to keep talking. “And what happens on the day he does a session and sees himself in the vision?”

  I freeze. I had totally forgotten that might be a possibility. Kellan joked about being glad he couldn’t see my soulmate, but we didn’t talk about what might happen when he sees his.

  Roxy knows she’s hit a nerve. “I’d be careful if I were you. You don’t want to get your hopes up.”

  I take a deep breath and smile at her. “Thank you for your concern, Roxy. I’m a big girl. I can look after myself.”

  “Well, Kellan is my best friend, so I’m slightly modifying my warning when I thought you were a TV producer. If you hurt him, I will hunt you down and kill you.”

  “Duly noted.”

  Roxy leaves me alone with my thoughts in the VIP booth.

  I pour myself a large glass of wine and drink it in one go.

  Despite what just happened, I’m sure everything will be okay.

  ***

  Kellan

  Beatrix has been a little distant since I took her to the club. She insists that nothing is wrong, but I know it is.

  The last two weeks have been busy with getting ready for Singapore, and me training for my new role, so we haven’t had a lot of time to talk about anything else. In the evenings, Beatrix has gone back to her place alone, claiming she’s tired. And on the weekend, I went into Heaven Sent, since I knew I was going to be in Singapore for the next two—and I didn’t want to get behind with my appointments.

  I plan on getting to the bottom of things once we’re on the plane. There’s nothing like being confined to a seat next to someone on an eight-hour flight to force someone to communicate.

  I wait until we’re in the air before I finally gather the courage to talk to her.

  “Bea?”

  She looks up from her in-flight magazine. “Hmm?”

  “Do you believe in what I do?”

  “Yes, of course. Why?”

  “You’ve been acting weird since I took you to Heaven Sent. Did something happen that night?”

  She closes the magazine and tucks it back in the seat pocket. “Look, to be honest, I think the whole night just highlighted how different our lives are. You spend all this time at a nightclub, mixing with people I don’t know…you…you have a private room at a strip club…”

  “I thought you liked the strip club!”

  “I…I guess I did at the time…”

  “If it’s a problem, I’ll give it up as soon as we get back. I was thinking I needed a change of scene anyway. Maybe that secret bar near the office…”

  “No, please don’t do that just for me.”

  I gently turn her face so I can look her in the eye. “Is there something else going on that you’re not telling me?”

  She directs her gaze downward. When she opens her mouth, her voice is so quiet, I can barely hear it. “What if you do a session one night…and you see yourself?”

  Oh. I awkwardly wrap my arm around her and pull her towards me, even though we’re strapped into the plane seats. “I can’t believe that’s what’s been on your mind the whole time and you didn’t tell me.”

  “I’d totally forgotten it was a possibility until Roxy mentioned it…”

  “Wait. Roxy said that?” Damn that woman.

  “She was just looking out for you. After all, she did meet me as a fake TV producer.”

  I smile sadly. “You’re worried I’m going to leave you?”

  “How can I not? I can’t have it both ways. I either believe in what you do, in which case there’s a big chance you’ll find your soulmate one day, or I go back to my original way of thinking, which makes you a fraud. It’s a lose-lose situation.”

  “It doesn’t have to be that way.”

  “It kind of does.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then say nothing. We have this conference to get through, so let’s just focus on that, and we’ll talk when we’re back in Australia.”

  “Bea…”

  “Please. I’m trying really hard not to burst into tears here on the plane, so don’t make it harder.”

  I nod.

  I don’t agree with what she’s saying, but I’ll respect her wishes.

  For now.

  ***

  The rest of the flight feels like an eternity. Thankfully, it’s a redeye, so at least we both have the excuse of hiding behind eye masks to pretend to sleep. Except I can’t. My heart is racing.

  I guess because I’ve already had so many years of not finding my soulmate, it never occurred to me that she might show up now that I’m with Beatrix.

  I don’t know what to do with that information. But what I do know is that I don’t want to throw away what I have with Beatrix on the off chance someone else comes along later. Even if they are hypothetically better matched.

  I can’t imagine that anyone else would make me feel the way Beatrix does.

  I can’t lose her.

  When we get to Singapore, we take different taxis. Beatrix goes with Charlie, who, as the boss, had flown business class. I check into my room at the hotel, looking at the queen-sized bed that I originally hoped I might be able to sneak Beatrix into at some point during the conference. Now it just looks too big for one person.

  I guess on the upside, I will be able to dedicate myself one hundred percent to work during this trip. I really do love my day job, and I plan on beginning formal study when I return to Australia. This conference will be my chance to prove I’m worthy.

  I switch on my phone, and a couple of texts come through. One is from Roxy, wishing me a happy trip and telling me she’s looking forward to my return. I’m still peeved with her. I know she only wants the best for me, but she could have gone about it in a different way.

  I know the possibility of my own soulmate would have occurred to me or Beatrix eventually, but it would have been nice if we’d had a chance to build a strong foundation for our relationship first.

  Or would it? Maybe I’m fooling myself, and it would just be that much harder.

  I don’t recognise the number on the second text, but when I read the message, I know immediately who it is.

  Hi Kellan, it’s Erika. We met at the club a while back, and you told me to call you. I’ve been overseas for a month, but I’m finally back, and I was wondering if you’d like to go out sometime? I look forward to hearing from you.

  Erika, who knew my name meant swamp. Pretty swamp.

  I laugh bitterly. Roxy is in my head now. What if Erika is my soulmate? I haven’t done a session with her, so it’s a possibility. Unless I give up soulmate matching, I’m going to be wondering if every woman I see will be the one to break up me and Beatrix.

  I’ve always appreciated this talent, even when it caused angst throughout high school, and also with my parents, but I think this is the first time in my life that I feel truly cursed.

  THIRTY-SIX

  Beatrix

  It’s day three of the conference, and I am absolutely miserable. I miss Kellan so much. Seeing him across the room all the time, chatting to everyone and knowing I can�
��t be with him is almost too much to bear.

  Today’s timetable finished at 2pm, giving everyone a chance to regroup. I retreat to my room and stare out at the city. It’s impressive, even during the day. There’s a small bay below, containing a couple of dome-shaped buildings amongst the skyscrapers on the other side, and a floating stage of some sort next to it. I haven’t had a chance to try out the hotel’s famous suspended rooftop pool yet, but I plan to do that soon.

  I switch on the TV and navigate to the in-house cable. I leave MTV on for a while, but it doesn’t cheer me up. As I’m flicking through the other channels, I find myself stopping on an episode of Fresh Prince. I smile sadly at the screen.

  Soulmates.

  I’ll never get official proof that Kellan is mine, since his gift doesn’t work on me.

  But the idea of not having him in my life is sadder than anything I can possibly think of.

  My phone rings. I look down and see it’s an international number. Someone is calling from home.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Beatrix?”

  “Speaking.”

  “It’s Gillian Middleton. I’m supposed to meet you tomorrow to talk about Kellan Gallo?”

  Oh no. I totally forgot to cancel. It’s lucky she phoned me.

  “Yes, right. Actually, I’ve been meaning to call you and let you know I no longer need to meet with you.”

  “That works out well then, because I was going to say I’m unable to catch up tomorrow. I was happy to reschedule, but I have a hospital appointment in the morning, and I knew I probably wouldn’t be feeling up to socialising after that.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear you’re unwell.”

  “Yeah, it’s been emotionally and physically draining these past few months. I’m getting treatment for breast cancer, and it’s been really hard on me and my husband, Steve.”

  I do a double take. “Hang on. Is your husband Steve Holton?”

  “Yes! How did you know?”

  Crap. How do I get out of this one?

  Before I can answer, she speaks again. “You’re not the Beatrix from Steve’s office, are you?”

  “Uh, actually, yes I am.”

  “Why were you pretending to be a TV producer?”

  “Well, as you know, Kellan started working at StemWide just as Steve was leaving, and I wasn’t totally convinced he was legitimate.”

  “Wait, Kellan was working at the lab? Steve never told me that.”

  “Maybe he didn’t know about Kellan’s other job.”

  She’s quiet for a moment. “Actually, I never mentioned to Steve I saw Kellan, so he wouldn’t have had any reason to talk to me about him anyway.”

  “I guess it’s all just a weird coincidence.”

  “But you said you didn’t know if Kellan was the real deal?” she checks.

  “That’s right. I do now, though.”

  “Really.”

  “You don’t?”

  “Oh, no, that’s not what I’m saying. I actually saw Kellan after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this time around. I guess I wanted to see if Steve was my soulmate…” She chokes up a little. “Because if he wasn’t, then I’d feel better knowing someone else would be there for him once I was…gone.”

  The poor woman. “Do you mind me asking what Kellan said?”

  “He told me Steve and I are, in fact, soulmates. And I guess I was both relieved and sad. But then I started wondering that maybe he was just trying to make me feel better without knowing the full story. I didn’t tell him about the cancer.”

  “Do you know Kellan told me that people can have more than one soulmate?”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, he tried explaining that to some of his clients, but they didn’t appreciate it, so he stopped.”

  She sniffs. “So Steve might find someone else later on?”

  “If that idea gives you comfort, then yes. But I’m sure you still have many happy years left together.”

  “I don’t know about that. But I appreciate your positivity.”

  “I should probably let you go. I’m sure you have lots of other more important things to do than talk to me right now. Plus, I’m actually in Singapore, so I need to at least look like I’m working.”

  “Ah, yes, the annual conference. Is Kellan there with you?”

  “Uh, yeah, but we’re not exactly talking right now.” While I hadn’t planned on sharing anything too personal, I feel like Gillian would understand. I haven’t wanted to burden Charlie with anything since it’s her first time in charge at the conference. “He and I were kind of….” Jeez, this is harder than I thought. “He wasn’t able to predict my soulmate, and I’m worried he’s going to see himself in someone else’s vision one day.”

  “Oh.”

  “Anyway, sorry. I shouldn’t be bothering you with this. Please give my regards to Steve, and I’ll check in with you when I get home.”

  “Wait. You aren’t bothering me. I want to give you a little advice. As someone who has a very limited time left on this earth, I say don’t hold back from following your heart. Sure, there’s a small chance Kellan might one day meet someone else, but that’s the same for everyone, regardless of whether they are able to predict soulmates. You can’t live your life in fear and miss out on what might be something really special.”

  I feel myself tearing up. “Thanks, Gillian.”

  “Okay, I’ll stop lecturing you now. But please, call in when you return. I know Steve would love to see you and hear about everything that’s been going on since he left.”

  “I will.” I’m sure he’ll be interested to learn about the whole Elijah incident if he hasn’t already.

  I hang up and stare at the phone in my hand.

  Gillian’s right. I can’t live my life in fear or obsessed with unknown possibilities.

  I send Kellan a text. Where are you?

  He writes back immediately. At the pool. Why? Do you need me to do anything for the conference?

  I type back. Stay there.

  I turn off the TV and grab my room key, heading out to the elevator.

  Once I reach the top floor, I step out onto the pool deck, barely even pausing to acknowledge the spectacle of an infinity pool perched on top of three fifty-five-story-high towers.

  I see Kellan immediately, lying on one of the sun loungers to my right, dark glasses shading his eyes. He looks heart-meltingly gorgeous.

  He doesn’t see me until I’m right beside him. I sit down on the empty lounger next to him and gently place my hand on his arm. “Hey.”

  He pushes his glasses up to see me properly. “Hey. Everything all right?”

  “No.” My eyes, which were already threatening tears during my call with Gillian, start to release a torrent. “I miss you so much.”

  He sits up and pulls me onto his lap. “I’ve missed you too.”

  “I don’t care that you might one day see yourself in another woman’s vision. All I care about is us, now.”

  “You know, I’ve been thinking, and I’m going to give up soulmate matching. It’s not worth losing you over.”

  My heart feels like it’s going to burst. “No. You can’t stop doing something you love because of me. Someone just pointed out that there’s always uncertainty in relationships, but you can’t let fear hold you back. All that matters is right now.”

  “Are you sure? Because I…”

  I cut him off by putting a finger to his lips. “Yes, I’m sure. Kellan, I love you, and I know we’re supposed to be together. I don’t need an official prediction from you to tell me that.”

  He leans forward and cups my face with his hands. “I love you too, my gorgeous Queen Bea.”

  And then he’s kissing me, and it feels like the most perfect thing in the world. So right and so natural.

  Kellan and I were definitely made for each other.

  Some might even say we could pass for soulmates.

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  Beatrix

  It’s b
een two and a half weeks since Kellan and I decided to move forward with our relationship, and despite the uncertainty, I don’t regret it one bit. Working with him during the day and sharing his bed at night is my version of heaven. We’re currently alternating between my house and his apartment, although he’s contemplating giving up his place when I find somewhere new. It’s a huge step, considering we’ve only known each other for two and a half months, but it feels right. And my house might not sell right away anyway.

  Tonight, we’re at Kellan’s apartment. I love the view of the city from up here. It turns out both of us like to escape from the rest of the world every chance we can.

  “Do you want me to cook something, or should we order in?” he asks.

  I give him what I hope is a seductive smile. “If you’re going to cook, make it something easy so you’re not tied up in the kitchen all night.”

  He laughs and comes over to wrap his arms around me. “Why? Would you like the tying up to be in the bedroom instead?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Beatrix Mackenzie, what am I going to do with you?”

  “The question is, what am I going to do with you?”

  “That does it. I’m ordering in.” He pulls his phone from his pocket and opens Uber Eats. “Do you think you can get chocolate fondue delivered?”

  Now it’s my turn to laugh. “I don’t know. But if you find it, please order it.”

  I playfully kiss his arm as I extricate myself from his grasp. While he scrolls through the various offerings, I casually browse his bookshelf against the back wall. Kellan has quite eclectic taste, ranging from old Clive Cussler adventures, through to classic US literature like Jack Kerouac and Harper Lee.

  I bend down and see a couple of leather-bound books on the bottom shelf. I pull one out and look at it. It doesn’t have a title or any text on its cover or spine. I hold it up so Kellan can see. “What’s this?”

  “Oh, just some of my grandmother’s old diaries. When she died, she left them to my mother, but she gave them to me. I’m not really sure why. I guess because I was so close to my grandfather, she thought I’d appreciate them.”

  “I wonder why she didn’t want to keep them for herself?”