Page 44 of Match My Fall
Herface contorted with confusion. “No, of course not.Weused a condom—Hervoice trailed off. “No, it can’t be...”
“Areyou sure?Condomsaren’t always one-hundred percent effective.”
“I’mnot pregnant,” she said with a forced smile. “Itmust be food poisoning or something like that.Itwas probably somethingIate last night.”Shemotioned to the coffee pot. “Orit’s the scent of that bitter coffee making me sick.”
“Ifyou think so,”Ireplied, unconvinced.
Shetipped her head. “Valen,Ihave the day off, you’re here, andPaigewon’t be back until tomorrow.Let’snot jump to conclusions just because that coffee turned my stomach.”Sheinhaled and tipped her head. “I’mfeeling much better now.”
“Okay.”Myvoice edged higher with skepticism.She’dalso had issues with the asparagus last night.Ifshe wasn’t pregnant, what else could it be?Wasshe ill?
Asif reading my mind, she fixed a steady gaze on me. “I’mfine,Valen.AllIneed is a shower.Thenwe can go out and do something fun.Soundgood?”
Mygaze raked over her with longing. “Absolutely.”
CASSANDRA
ValenandIwalked aroundSalem, bundled in coats, boots, and gloves.Thewinter morning was cool, with a light breeze blowing in from the harbor, which brought the smell of salt and seaweed.Althoughhe’d been exploring the area as well as nearby towns during the past couple of days,Ishowed him around some landmarks, noting their relevance to the witch trials.
“Althoughsome would prefer we put the past behind us, we can’t forget those dark times when a hysteria led to many innocent people losing their lives.”
Henodded, a somber expression on his face.
Westopped for lunch at a cafe that also served sandwiches.Thescent of roasted coffee beans didn’t turn me off the way it had in my kitchen this morning.Whatwas that about?Ithought about the asparagus and coffee turning my stomach.Icouldn’t be pregnant.
CouldI?
No.Itwasn’t morning sickness because the asparagus was at dinner.WhenI’dbeen pregnant withPaige,I’dhad morning sickness the first trimester, but that was the only time of day—morning.Imust have had a bug or something.
Iordered a sandwich with brie and grilled vegetables, andValenordered one loaded with meat.Wesat at a small table by the window, andValenasked me about my life growing up.
“Igrew up nearNorthamptonand attended a magical academy not far from there.”Iexhaled. “That’swhereImet my ex,Thorne.Wewere together on and off for many years, both there and after graduation, before we decided to get married.”
Valenlistened intently, his eyes locked on mine.
Ishook my head. “Talkabout ignoring the red flags.Ipractically had several matadors waving them in my face, butIwas young and foolish.”
Henodded sympathetically. “Aren’twe all when we’re young?”
Ishrugged. “Anyway,IknewIwanted to work with magic.Myparents are both witches, andIgrew up embracing my gifts.So,Iwas thrilled whenIeventually got hired at theNetworkand moved here toSalem.It’sbeen a whirlwind since then.”
Wefinished our meals at a leisurely pace.Afterwe left the cafe, snow started to fall.
“Anyinterest in art?”Ipointed to thePeabodyEssexMuseum.
“I’minterested in doing anything with you,” he said with a smile that sent tingles all the way to my toes.
Wethen spent the afternoon staying warm as we explored the museum.SincePaigewas withThorneuntil tomorrow,Itook advantage of the free time and invitedValenback to my place for dinner.Weordered takeout and then watched a movie while eating popcorn.Itwas so nice to spend such carefree time like this.
Ididn’t want him to leave, and neither did he.So, he didn’t.
* * *
Thenext morning,we lingered in bed.Ifelt fine, which reassured me that whatI’dfelt the morning before was not morning sickness.Still,Ichose tea instead.
Wespent the day together down inBoston, walking theFreedomTrailand exploring the tourist attractions.
Afterwe ate a late lunch,Valenasked, “Isthere anything you’d like to do here tonight?”
