Page 35 of Match My Fall
“Likewhat?”
“Likeyou’re sniffing me.”Icocked my head. “You’renot the first shifterI’vemet.”
Heshook his head. “Sorry.”Hecontinued to watch me as if perplexed.
“Youstill haven’t told me why you’re inSalem.”Technically, he had since he said he wanted to talk, but thus far, he stared more than spoke.
Heran his hand through his hair. “Icame to apologize about the awkward morning in my cabin.”Hegrimaced as if embarrassed by the memory.
“It’sfine,”Isomehow said in a neutral tone while my heart fluttered with a quickened beat. “Itwas just a fling.”
Valenwinced as ifI’dlanced him with a poisoned dagger.Hisexpression turned grave. “Notto me.”
Ijerked my head.Whatthe trembling toadstools was going on?Aurorahad told me aboutValen, but his behavior with him coming here didn’t fit her assessment of him.
“Whatdoes that mean?”
“Icame toSalembecauseIwanted to see you again,Cassandra.CanItake you out to dinner tonight?”
Wasthis real?Mybody gravitated toward his screaming yes, but that wasn’t an option. “I’dlove to, butIcan’t.Ineed to pick up my daughter after work and don’t have a sitter.”
“I’llwatch her!”Lucas’svoice piped up from the other side of the door.
Imarched over to the door and opened it.Twowitches and an elf scattered like mice,Novatripping overZoe’sfeet and stumbling but avoiding a fall.Lucasremained standing before me with a grin, unabashed at being caught listening.
“Isee all of you!”Icalled out to the scattering women.
Pandora,Nova, andZoeturned back, their expressions ranging from crimson to faux innocent.
Zoeraised her chin. “LucasandIcan watchPaige,” she volunteered, giving up theI-wasn’t-eavesdropping act.
Ilaughed at their antics.Itwasn’t as ifIhadn’t played a role as the other party when we’d teamed up to getPandoraandAustintogether.
“I’mLucas,” he chimed.Hiseyes brightened with undisguised curiosity as he assessedValenand then extended his hand.
“Valen.”HeshookLucas’shand.
“Nosycoworkers, this isValen,”Iannounced before turning to him. “Valen, these are my other nosy coworkers.”Ichuckled. “Pandora,Zoe, andNova.”
Valennodded in greeting, looking slightly uncomfortable with the sudden attention.
Pandoraasked, “Whatbrings you toSalem,Valen?”
Headjusted his stance and didn’t reply right away. “Icame to seeCassandra.”
Alleyes turned onto me with speculation, andIfired eye daggers back at them.
Lucaswrapped his arm aroundZoe’sshoulder, who stood much shorter than him. “Wecan watchPaige.”
Ihesitated for a moment.They’dnever watchedPaigewhileIwent out on a date, which was becauseIdidn’t date.Yet,Ididn’t want to pass up the chance to spend more time withValen.
“Okay,”Isaid with slight reluctance. “Don’tget her hyped up on sugar.”Lucashad a sweet tooth, most notably with his addiction to sugary cereal.
Lucaschuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief.
“We’lltake good care of her,”Zoeadded.
Pandoragestured toward the front door. “Cassandra, why don’t you take off now.Itwill give you more time to—um—chat.”Sheflashed aCheshirecat type of smile.
