Nadine left before Camellia after they finished their dinner. Her thoughts were preoccupied with what Camellia had told her.

Something seemed odd.

It’s unusual for her to believe in supernatural things, even though such bizarre events have happened to her over the last eight years. Even if she couldn’t recall her life prior to the accident, something deep within her wasn’t right.

She got out of her car and went inside her house. The first thing she noticed was the massive digital clock next to the front door, which displayed 11:50 p.m. on its screen. Nadine rushed up the stairs to her room, but stopped by her mother’s voice, who asked, “Did you fix your mistake?”

“Hello to you too... Which one are you referring to?” Nadine scowled.

“It’s amazing how much you think you’re funny when you’re not... at all,” she rolled her eyes.

“Thank you, momma; I truly appreciate your outstanding compliments... Adam is gone for good if that’s what you’re asking,” Nadine said, looking at Pakinam, who was staring at a fashion magazine she was holding.

“Finally, you did something smart,” she said as she flipped through the magazine pages. “I planned everything for New Year’s Eve in Luxor... and you’re coming,” Pakinam said, looking at her.

“I’m busy,” Nadine said as she walked up the first few steps.

“I told your father, and you’re coming. By the way, I got you some clothes,” Pakinam announced loudly.

“Please don’t tell me you bought dresses,” Nadine said as she walked down the stairs, annoyed at their pointless conversation.

“Of course, I did. You should dress more like a lady, and all my friends are coming, so you must look good.” Nadine sighed deeply; she lacked the energy to argue.

As she stepped into her room, closing the door behind her. She took a deep breath before stepping into a long, hot shower to help her sleep. Her thoughts wandered back to two days ago in Dubai. She wanted to tell Camellia all that had happened, but she couldn’t put her emotions into words. Their embrace felt unusual; his scent and touch were both memorable and safe.

She hugs her friends, but no one has ever felt the way he does. Their last encounter traced over a nonexistent memory that filled her heart, putting her at ease and leaving her wanting more.

Her heart filled with longing for his touch. Nadine couldn’t understand why or how she felt so strongly for Liam. She rubbed her temples vigorously. Her thoughts jumbled; a portion of their most recent encounter was outside of this mundane realm. They seemed to be euphoric souls longing for each other for a split second.

She went into the tub, her toes flinching as they touched the cold tile floor, and turned on the water, feeling the steaming rivulets soaking her aching body and busy thoughts. Liam was the only thing that made sense in her crazy life, the only thing that felt real.

12:30 am.

While drying her hair, her phone rang; it was a reminder alerting her of an upcoming event. She put on her pajamas and sat on her bed. She took out her phone and dialed Liam’s number. “You’re old.”

“Thank you,” Liam answered, chuckling at her unexpected sarcasm.

“What are your plans for this year? Have you considered getting a tattoo? Or ear pierce?”

“I don’t think I’ll be joining any boy bands soon.”

“Why not? You have an uncanny resemblance to them. I pictured you in a band with teen girls obsessed with you,” Nadine scoffed. “It’ll be like a dream come true... girls chasing you... It sounds like a man’s dream.”

“It sounds like a nightmare! It’s past midnight, and you’re still up just to wish me a happy birthday,” they both chuckled. “I’m very moved.”

“I didn’t make any wishes for you... I was only stating a fact, but sure; I’m wasting a significant bit of sleep to talk to you, and you should be grateful,” Nadine joked.

“Be nice for once; it won’t kill you.”

“It very certainly will.” When Nadine recalled what happened on his birthday last year, they continued to laugh. She went to Sydney with Camellia to surprise him — it wasn’t much of a surprise because Nadine had already told Liam she was traveling to Sydney for work for a few days, but Camellia persuaded her to remain for two weeks.

Nadine never told Liam what had happened to them before meeting him. Instead, they discussed what happened when they first met. While Liam was talking on the other end, Nadine’s mind couldn’t get away from the memory. Her thoughts returned to what had happened the previous year.