#dante moretti

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (14/48)

“Okay, here goes nothing...” Dante said, almost in a whisper. He then looked at James intently, his hold intensifying.

“That day when Sadie came to see you and you thought she acted weird...? I know you convinced yourself she couldn’t have seen our kiss, but... I think she did... In fact, I’m pretty sure of it, because... As I got up from the bench, I saw her hiding behind the boxwood bush. She scrambled to her feet and clearly seemed distraught. Of course, I didn’t know it was Sadie at the time. Maybe a new girl, I thought. But... from what you told me later, on the plane, I think it was Sadie. And that could maybe explain why she was acting weird...”

Everything inside James froze up. He slowly pulled his hands away from Dante while he blinked to make the spots dancing in front of his eyes go away. Sadie had seen the kiss... And Dante... Dante had known this... For weeks...

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (45/48)

“I’m actually headed for Monte Vista again in two days,” Dante said, looking at James happily. “I’ve been invited to spend Christmas with Luna and her father and my other half-sisters. Luna and I have been writing a lot, and it turns out Enrico is very happy to meet me.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” James said, feeling a knot untie within him at Dante’s obvious happiness. “Are you nervous or excited?”

“A little bit of both,” Dante admitted, “But I’ll be alright.”

“And after Christmas?” James asked, “Are you still okay at Chestnut and Oak?”

“Actually, Sasha gave me the green light to leave, too. I applied for a scholarship to an art school, and it was granted, so I’ll be starting there when the new term begins. After that, I’ll see where I’ll end up.”

“I’m so happy to hear that!” James smiled, “You’ll do amazing there. And I’m sure you’ll find your feet afterwards too. You know, Honeycomb Valley is nice,” he added with a wink.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Dante laughed. He looked over at where Sadie was standing, talking to the unknown girl. “I think she left because she didn’t want to interfere, right?”

“Yes,” James said, “I had that same impression.”

“I would actually very much like her to come back,” Dante said, “I’ve been looking forward to getting to know her.”

“I would like that too,” James replied wholeheartedly, feeling a warmth spread through his body as he said it.

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (41/48)

Three weeks later...

James tapped his fingers against the mug of hot chocolate in front of him. He still hadn’t taken a sip. From the chair next to him, Sadie gave him an inquisitive look. “Are you okay?”

James started to nod, then decided a shrug was better.

“I’m actually a little bit nauseous…” he admitted.

Sadie held out her hand to him. James managed a smile and clasped fingers with her. “It will be fine, I’m sure,” she said, offering him a loving smile.

“I don’t know, Sade, I didn’t leave things very well…” James said hesitantly.

“I know, you told me. But that’s why it’s good you’re doing this now. Talk. Clear the air.”

“I hope you’re right…”

“I’m sure I am. He agreed to come, and that’s a good sign.” She said, sounding resolute. “Yes, that’s…” James began, but stopped as the door of the coffeehouse opened, bringing in cold air, some snow, and a guy bundled up in a winter coat and a big scarf:

Dante...

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (15/48)

Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of anger got hold of James, and he jumped up.

“You have known this since Monte Vista!? And you didn’t think it was something I needed to know?! After I told you how confused I was about her behaviour, you didn’t think this piece of information was something that needed to be shared?!”

“I’m sorry!!”  Dante exclaimed, tears springing from his eyes, “I should have, I know, but I... I didn’t think... I wanted... I...”

“Save it, Dante.” James growled as he turned his back on the bench and just started running, frantically wiping away at his own cheeks.

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (1/48)

“When did you say she was coming?” Dante asked while he gently brushed something off James' shoulder. They were sitting together on the sofa in the hallway, waiting for James’ guest.

“She should be here any minute now,” James replied, not taking his eyes off the door.

“I can’t wait to meet her. I hope she gets here before I need to go to therapy at three,” Dante said. “What did you tell her about me?”

James looked at Dante, “I told her I care about you,” he said, which was the truth, and seemed to please Dante, judging by his smile.

James turned his attention to the door again, and neither one of them had a chance to say anything else, because at that point the door opened, and there she was.

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (12/48)

“NO!” James exclaimed. Shit, this wasn’t going the way he had planned. “No, Dante, that’s not what happened at all. Throughout our stay in Monte Vista, I had seen you face this whole ordeal with so much bravery and strength, and I had so much admiration for the way you were handling it all, and that letter was just, well, so not what you deserved at all. It was a completely rotten way to end it all, and I saw this awesome, strong, brave, wonderful guy break into a million pieces... It just... made my heart explode, Dante. And I wanted to kiss you. Not out of pity or to offer comfort, but because my heart told me to.” He saw Dante’s face light up a bit at those words. James bit his lip, knowing his next words would probably take that smile away again.

“However, I do feel that since then, we may have been on different wavelengths... See, Dante, I like you, and you are special to me, but what I said that first night in Monte Vista is still true... As much as I care about you, what I feel for you is not the same as what I feel for Sadie... Even if that’s a lost cause, I can’t turn my heart off. And I feel like maybe my actions have made you believe otherwise, and if that’s the case, then I’m so sorry. I should have been more transparent and more honest with you...”

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (13/48)

Dante had closed his eyes and was nodding slowly. James hesitated. He felt like he should give Dante space to take this in and respond, but he was unsure if maybe Dante was expecting him to say more. Then Dante sighed.

“You see, James... I did know... I didn’t honestly believe your feelings for Sadie had suddenly disappeared, but I guess I was just... postponing the inevitable? If you didn’t talk about her and I didn’t talk about her, then maybe we could pretend. Pretend your feelings for her were over, pretend that maybe you could love me like you loved her. I took what I could have for as long as I could have it...” He opened his eyes now and gave James a sad look.

“You may have given me a fairytale to believe in for a while, but I was happy to believe it.”

“...But it’s not healthy to go on living in a fairytale, Dante...” James said softly.

“I know...” Dante said, a tear escaping his right eye.

James grabbed Dante’s hands and squeezed them gently, “I’m sorry, Dante, but I need to be honest. With you and with myself. I’ve been swiping my true feelings under the rug again, and that’s the kind of thing that got me here in the first place. My sister talked about living on assumptions, and I realise that is what I’ve been doing. I need to talk to Sadie. Put all my cards on the table and see what she has to say, and then I can decide on what my next step will be. But it’s not right to do that whilst dragging you along. I’m sorry...”

“Honesty...” Dante muttered softly. Oh dear, he was taking this badly...

“Yes, Dante, honest...”

“No, stop.” Date interrupted. “You’re right. We need to be honest with each other. And in that light, there’s something I need to tell you too...”

This confused James. What could Dante possibly have to tell him?

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (47/48)

James and Sadie had walked Dante to the door to see him out.

“I’m really glad you came, Dante,” James said, meaning every word.

“Good, I am too,” Dante said and cast him one of his blushy smiles. “Remember what we agreed; I want free VIP tickets to all concerts,” he said, raising a finger and looking between James and Sadie.

Sadie laughed, “You’ve got them, but we want signed first copies of all the graphic novels you’ll write in return.”

Now Dante laughed too, “That’s a fair deal!”

James let his gaze wander from Sadie to Dante and back again as they were laughing together and, for the first time in a very, very long time, felt absolutely happy.

His smile must have shown it, or shown something, because both Sadie and Dante fell quiet when they looked at him, and both smiled back at him.

“Don’t mind me,” James said, “I’m just very pleased you two are getting along so well.”

“Well, of course we are,” Dante said, “we are both obviously excellent in recognising great people when we see them.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” James said.

“You can, because it is,” Dante replied and then held out his arms to hug James.

James hugged him back. “Please send me pictures from Monte Vista, Dante. I’d really like that.”

“I will.” Dante nodded, “Please keep in touch.”

“Absolutely,” James said.

Dante smiled and, with a wave of his hand, walked out into the snow again.

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.