I cringe at the sound of my name on his lips, taking a step to the side to dodge his incoming hug. His smile falters for a millisecond, then snaps back at an even brighter wattage.
“What are you doing here?” I ask with an awkward laugh. “Last I knew, you were taking the LSAT and studying for that entrepreneurship final.”
That’s how long ago we broke up, and that’s how little I’d kept up with his life over the years.
“Why don’t we chat about that over coffee? I’m sure there are so many things we need to catch up on.”
All this time invested in trying to fix you, and this is how you repay me? By breaking up with me? Good luck finding someone who’ll deal with your problems.
For someone who left with such strong words, he’s bold for coming back. Not to mention, he shouldn’t even be here in the first place. New York City aside, this neighborhood is mostly residential—the community center and the nearby farmers’ market being the only exceptions.
“I’m actually waiting for someone. I can’t go far,” I try to reason with him.
“Come on! A little time out of your day won’t hurt anybody. Is that really such a way to treat your first love?”
Honestly, you just saved me a shit ton of time. I felt bad for wanting to break up with you, anyway.
First love, my ass.
My eyes narrow in on his as I try to determine his motive.
His smile is too wide. His eyes are gleaming like he’s ready to pounce. I’ve only seen that look once before—when his grandmother passed away and left him a hefty inheritance.
“Fine!” Cassandro finally seems to settle. “We can catch up while you wait for your so-called someone.” He looks back at the heavily bushed corner across the street. “Do you remember the first time we met in English class?”
I cross my arms in front of my chest on a sigh, tired of whatever he’s trying to do already. “Honestly, I don’tremember, and I don’t care—this street isn’t called memory lane. Cut to the chase, Cassandro. What do you want?”
His lips fall into a flat line with an expressionless look. He isn’t impressed by my behavior at all, but I couldn’t care less.
“Look.” His voice suddenly hardens. “I’ve been thinking about our time together, and I want to give us another shot. I fucked up badly,I know, but I was young and naïve. I’ve come to realize how good we were together, and how much I missed you. Missedus.”
I let out a dry, cynical laugh before I can stop it. “Do I need to remind you of what you said to me when our relationship ended?”
Another turn in the direction of that bushy corner.
At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but now, not so much. As far as I can tell, nothing is there—only a long row of townhomes.
Regardless of what it could be, this conversation is officially over.
I take a step in the opposite direction, ready to walk away, when a hand latches onto my wrist.
This time, it isn’t gentle like Alex’s when he was looking at my engagement ring or fiery like Nate’s when he’s reassuring me. It’s cold. Authoritative. And as harshly as I jerk my hand back, he only grips on harder.
“Let. Me. Go.” My free hand clutches my arm, every ounce of strength focused on pulling away.
“No can do.”
When my third attempt fails, his devilish grin widens. It isn’t long after that his arm snakes around my waist, and his other hand grips onto my jaw. Before I can say anything, chapped lips press against mine. My eyes widen from the shock, and every bone in my body seems to freeze.
With closed lids, Cassandro licks the seam of my mouth, asking for entrance while I grimace at the wet sensation. I do my best to push him away again, and again, until he finally stumbles back.
Relief washes over me as I draw fresh air into my lungs. But it’s not until I look forward that I realize I had nothing to do with getting him off me.
“Nate.” A sense of ease flickers through me at the sight of him, but he doesn’t pay me any mind. His deathly gaze is strained on the man he’s holding by the collar of his coat.
Cassandro looks startled at first, but his expression morphs into a lottery-winning smile. Nate’s thick, unyielding fingers wrap around his neck, forcing a cough out of him before they finally release.
Seconds drag by in a tense silence. From the scowl on Nate’s face, I’m almost certain he’s going to strike Cassandro in the jaw. But eventually his resolve shatters.
