Page 49 of Match My Fall
“It’sthe right thing to do.”Pandoraconfirmed. “When?”
SinceIdidn’t know how long he would be around, the sooner the better. “We’regoing out to dinner later.Itwill be the first time he’s meetingPaige.”Itook a shaky inhale and blew out a breath. “So,IguessIshould tell him tonight.”
VALEN
Cassandrathought it would be better to meet at the restaurant.Mypalms heated asIentered the family-style pub, which smelled of fried food and played pop hits.Herblonde ringlets drew my attention right away.Althoughher back faced me,Iknew it was her.
Shesat in a booth across from a school-aged girl coloring a kid’s menu.Thesimilarities between mother and daughter were clear with the hair alone, althoughPaige’swas darker.
Paigeglanced up asIapproached the booth.Hergaze met mine, and for a moment,Ifelt likeIwas staring into a youngCassandrabut with hazel eyes.
“AreyouValen?”
Ismiled back. “Yes.Andyou’rePaige?”
Shegrinned, revealing a missing tooth. “Yes.”
Cassandraturned and glanced at me. “Lookslike you both took care of introductions, butI’lldo my part.”Shefaced her daughter once more. “Paige, this is my friend,Valen.”
“Friend?”Paigerepeated in a higher lilt.
“Err, umm—well, we are dating?”Cassandra’sbrows furrowed as she tilted her head at me with confusion.
“Thatmakes me the lucky one.”Igrinned and slid in the booth beside her.
Iturned toPaige. “Wouldit be okay with you ifIdated your mother?”
“Hmm.”Paigestudied me. “Onlyif you’re nice to her.”
Iglanced atCassandra.Herexpression changed into a peculiar mix from joy to tension, andItried to read the subtext.DidPaigesense the animosity between her parents?WasThornehorrible toCassandra?Protectiverage shook me, butIforced myself to remain calm.
“Ipromise,”ItoldPaige.
Cassandraturned from me toPaige. “Valenis very nice to me.That’swhyIwanted you to meet him.”
Wechatted about the restaurant and menu. “Whatdo you like to eat here?”IaskedPaige.
“Chickentenders and fries are the best,” she declared without hesitation.
Cassandrachuckled. “Theusual.”
Iraised my eyebrows. “Isthis a regular spot?”
Cassandranodded. “Paigeloves it here.”
Paigeordered her regular chicken finger kid’s meal,Cassandrapicked aReubensandwich, andIchose a burger.Afterwe placed our order,IaskedPaigeabout herself. “Iheard you like to draw.”
Sheheld up the menu and showed me the back, where she’d doodled designs.Shewas happy to chat, sharing about her school, friends, and her favorite things while she continued to draw switching between four different crayons.
Cassandrawatched us with a small smile on her face, and a warmth spread through me.Theywere a family.Cassandrawas my mate.Iwanted to be part of their lives.Wouldshe let me?
“Mommysaid you live in the mountains,”Paigesaid.
“Yes,Ido,”Ireplied. “Iwork at a ski resort in theWhiteMountainsinNewHampshire.”
Paigesaid, “Mommypromised she’d take me skiing next time.”
“Youcould come visit me,”Isuggested.Wasthis odd to invite her?Itseemed natural.
