Page 16 of Stargazer

“Oh.” His stroking paused.

“I didn’t mean to. I didn’t expect to. He was a rebound.” I explained in a hushed, strained voice. “Until he wasn’t.”

His expression faltered. But he swallowed before replying, “I understand.”

“If I’m being honest with you, I don’t know if it actually ended. Or if it ever actually began. It’s just … confusing. But I can’t do this yet,” I gestured to the space between us, “until I talk to him and figure it out. I don’t want to make the same mistakes. I need time.”

CHAPTER 7

RIVER

Ipulled back from her and sat up, more than a little hurt but trying my hardest not to show it. She followed, lifting herself up too.

I needed to know more, even though I had no right to be upset at her. She thought I was a cold-hearted killer. And even though we had established I wasn’t, I had let her down. I had lied to her over and over again. Kept so much from her. Treated her as weak, even if that was never my intention.

Of course she moved on. Of course she found one of her own people.

I was stupid to think otherwise.

Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed her so soon. Shouldn’t have tried to make a move again.

It was just that seeing her here, in this spot that I had kept coming back to while she was gone, kept imagining her in—it was even better than I ever could have pictured in my head. Seeing her basking in the glorious light that filled the clearing as the blossoms floated around her. She just looked so perfect and I had missed her so much and it all just felt so right, having her back. I couldn’t help myself.

I’d wanted to kiss her again—properly kiss her—since the first day she came back. That tiny peck in the driveway wasn’t enough. And every day for the last few days I’d been imagining kissing her again.

Seeing her back, seeing her slot back into her place by my side, it was everything I wanted. Everything I’d hoped for these past torturous months. And I didn’t want to waste the opportunity to show her how much I still loved her.

That wasn’t my intention in bringing her here though; making out with her. I just wanted to show her a place I knew she would love. I just wanted to bring her some peace and joy and give us a moment alone to reconnect.

She seemed so happy and content.

And it was everything to me. Seeing her smile like that.

Seeing her expression now though, I was cursing myself for ruining a beautiful moment. For assuming that we’d pick up where we left off.

I’d give her all the time in the world.

Yet I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Is it the hunter friend? The one that’s the leader’s son?”

She swallowed. “Yes. How did you—”

“You didn’t talk about him much. You skimmed over him when you spoke about your new friends.”

“I’m so sorry,” she pleaded.

Before I could say anything else, Zander’s voice filled my head and I knew Vee would be looking at my glazed eyes.

Riv, we have a bit of a …. uh … situation at the packhouse.

He sounded breathless. Like he was running or something.

I visibly stiffened.

What sort of situation?

A Knight situation.

There was a moment of silence before he added, Not a friendly one.

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