Page 21 of Coffee Shop Cupid
Chapter 9 - Tristan
Iwiped away another tear and sent off my most recent matches.
Everything in me wanted to go back to the coffee shop and apologize to Chase. I wanted to smell all the delicious baked goods, and see his kind smile.
But I knew I couldn’t. He wouldn’t want me once he knew, and I couldn’t blame him.
No alpha would want me. The sooner my heart believed it, the better.
I needed to get out of my apartment, and with the coffee shop off limits my next best option was a nearby park.
A few minutes later I was walking along my favorite wooded path, which was far from the playground at the other end.
It was still too hard to be near groups of children, so I was glad that the park was big enough for me to have space and not hear their delighted squeals as they played.
I was about halfway down the trail when I decided to stop and rest on one of the benches.
The day was cold and slightly overcast, but the smell of snow told me that worse weather was ahead.
Maybe if there was enough snow I’d be stuck in my apartment for a few days, and I could try to figure out how to get over Chase.
Joey, of course, would ask me how I felt about running out, and whether it was the right thing. But I didn’t have an answer. I could already hear him telling me that it was alright, that it was healthy to listen to my emotions.
But it hurt deep inside, like I’d ripped my heart open anew.
A couple strolled past, heads together and obviously in love, and I nearly started crying again, knowing that I would never have that for myself.
What had I done so wrong to deserve my life; a life without a mate or children?
I pressed the heel of my palm to my eye, wiping away angry tears.
When would I finally get over these outbursts?
Footsteps getting closer. I readied myself to tell whoever it was that the emotional omega was fine.
I looked up, and right into Chase’s concerned eyes.
What was he doing there?
“Tristan…” he whispered.
I needed to leave. I had to go before I threw myself into his arms. I turned to make a quick exit, then he spoke.
“Please,” he begged. “Please don’t run.”
The anguish in his voice cut straight through me. I’d been protecting myself. I’d been protecting us both. But he didn’t know that.
I slumped on the bench, and hung my head.
Chase breathed a sigh of relief. “May I sit?”
I nodded, but didn't make eye contact.
He sat, and the breeze carried his scent right to me. Somehow it was even better than that of the cafe. It was warm and rich, soothing in a way that made me want to bury my nose against his chest.
We were both silent for a moment, then he spoke.
“I’m not going to push,” he said softly. “I thought we had something, even if it was new. I guess I was wrong. But… please… what did I do to make you run?”
