Page 4 of A Mate Betrayed

Kinleigh nodded.“Our mothers were sisters, but when Mom met my father at the Assembly, she moved to his pack in Oregon.Aunt Nancy came here with Uncle Marcus.”

For a moment, they stared at one another in mutual appreciation.At least he hoped she was impressed with him because he wouldn’t mind spending some time with her.Their hands were still clasped, and he was reluctant to let go.

“Maybe we could have a drink later on,” he murmured.

“I would like that,” she said, a little grin lifting at the corner of her mouth.“Where and what time?”

“Bar a couple of streets over, called The Unicorn.Funny name, but good place to relax.How about seven?”

“Deal,” she said.

Suddenly, the door opened and Payton Savidge rushed in.She smiled at him, but when her gaze landed on Kinleigh, she gave a little squeal and rushed over.Kinleigh dropped his hand to hug her cousin.

“I can’t believe you’re here!”

“I can’t believe it’s been five years since we last saw each other,” Kinleigh said with a laugh.

“How long are you staying?”

“Oh,” Kinleigh said with a sigh.“Not sure.With the whole, you know, rejection thing.”

Daire’s wolf pricked his ears at that.“Rejection?”

Both women turned to look at him.

“Hi, Daire,” Payton said.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

“Completely understandable.”He held up the clipboard.“I brought the estimates for Jericho.”

“Awesome!”Payton said.She took the clipboard from him.“He’s over at the new site, so I’ll put this on his desk.He’ll probably get back to you in a day or two.”

“Thanks,” he said, then addressed Kinleigh.He pushed the word “rejection” to the back of his mind.“See you later tonight?”

“Yep,” she said, giving him a wink.

He chuckled, then looked at Payton.“Thank you, Luna.”

She waved as he exited, leaving them to catch up.Looks like he had a date, and maybe a little more if he played his cards right.

****

Payton looked at herwrist which did not have a watch on it.“You’ve been here a minute and already got a date.”

“Maybe more if I play my cards right,” Kinleigh said with a chuckle.“That man is gorgeous.”

“Daire is a good guy, but don’t expect a happy-ever-after.He’s not the settling-down kind of man.”

“Not to worry, and since I’ve given up on relationships, neither am I.”Kinleigh sighed.“Hetook that from me.He took everything from me.”

Tears threatened to well up, but she blinked them away and struggled to keep her breathing even.Vaughn wasn’t worth her tears or her sorrow.

“Anyway,” she continued.“Maybe Daire Nolin will help heal my broken vagina.”

Payton laughed.“Well, I hope you have fun.Now let me put this on Jericho’s desk and we’ll get a bite to eat.”

Kinleigh nodded, watching as Payton hurried to the office in the far corner of the room.She hadn’t seen her cousin in years, and she was suddenly glad she was in Sheridan.Glad to have someone to talk to, who understood what she was going through.It wasn’t that long ago she thought Jericho had abandoned her.

“All right,” Payton said when she emerged.“Let me lock up.”

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