Page 37 of Match My Fall
Sheappeared surprised and leaned back in her chair. “Oh?”
“MeaningIleft because of a woman—not for one.”
Cassandrasquinted as she tried to follow. “Ifit’s okay thatIask, what happened?”
Ishrugged. “Wewere young and in love—or soIthought.Thenshe met her true mate, and it was all over.”Ifidgeted with the napkin on my lap. “Shedidn’t mean to hurt me, but everything changed for her.”
Cassandrablinked. “Justlike that?”
Igripped the stem of my wine glass. “Guessso.”Itook a big sip.
“Manyof my friends are shifters or are mated to one,”Cassandrasaid. “Itstill seems like such a mystery to me.”
Metoo, until now.Iyearned to tell her more but knew it was too much, too soon. “Anyway,Icouldn’t stay in the pack, seeing her with someone else.”Thememory of that difficult time tumbled from whatever recessI’dshoved it into the forefront of my mind. “Itwas painful for me and awkward for her.”Iexhaled. “So,Ileft.”
Cassandragave me a sympathetic look. “Andyour family?”
“They’restill there.”
“Doyou ever see them?”
Irolled one shoulder. “Sure,Igo back to visit them and my sister.Shemated with a wolf in the pack.”
Cassandrastudied me for a few seconds. “Isyour ex there?”
“Yup,”Ianswered quickly. “Happywith her mate and three kids.”
Shesearched my eyes. “Doesit still—hurt?”
“Seeingthem?”Mybrows arched.
“Yes.”
Ithought about it, bracing myself for tension, which didn’t come.Itwasn’t somethingIthought about for a long time. “No.Notlike it did back then.Igot over it.I’mglad that she’s happy.”Ipopped another stuffed mushroom into my mouth, and the flavors of lemon and herbs and breadcrumbs exploded on my tongue.
Cassandrapressed her lips together and then took a sip of her wine.Aftershe put down her glass, she asked, “Doyou still have feelings for her?”
“Ohno, definitely not.”Ishook my head. “Itwas a long, long time ago.”Iexhaled from my nostrils. “Ihaven’t been serious with anyone since.”
Cassandragave me a look of understanding. “Becauseit hurt too much?”
Oureyes locked.Inodded. “Exactly.”Aftera pause,Iasked, “You’veexperienced something like that?”
Shestared at me from those soul-searching eyes before she replied. “Ihave.”
“Withwho?”
Sheglanced away. “Paige’sfather.Afae.”
“Oh.”Iadjusted in my chair.Theback of my neck prickled at the idea of her being with someone else.
“Ihaven’t dated much since him.WhenIdid, it was usually dreadful, andIswore never again.”Hergaze returned to me. “Notwith you, of course.”Herlips spread into a teasing smile. “Exceptperhaps for some dish towels on fire.”
Ichuckled and then groaned. “Ohyes,Iwas a mountain troll that morning.Sorry.”
Whenthe server brought our food out, our conversation turned to our meals.Thesteak was tender and juicy, andCassandramoaned in pleasure after she took the first bite of her seafood dish.
“Itake it that’s a good sign,”Isaid.
