My cheeks heated instantly. I glanced over at him, caught off guard.
“I didn’t blame your husband for staking his claim on you. I would’ve done the same.” He laughed under his breath. “What are the odds that we meet again like this?”
“I don’t know. It is… odd,” I admitted.
“Maybe it’s fate.” He smiled with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
My chest thudded. Something about him pulled at me, tugging on threads I didn’t want touched.
“I don’t believe in fate,” I said flatly.
His smile didn’t falter. “That’s all right. Fate doesn’t need your belief to work.”
I said nothing. He let the silence breathe for a minute before stepping forward to stand beside me.
“Good. I’d hate for you to think I only noticed you because the universe told me to.”
Was he flirting with me? I didn’t know what to do with that, didn’t know what I was supposed to feel. It hadn’t even been long since Abram found his mate and I left. Maybe the moongoddess was trying to throw me a rope. Maybe I was too raw to take it.
I glanced up at him and let out a long, tired sigh.
“Do you flirt with everyone?” I asked. “You’re being very forward.”
“Should I tone it down?” he offered. “I can try again and be shy, reserved? I’ll be whatever you want me to be.” His eyes never left mine.
“I’m not interested.”
I looked away. He clicked his tongue.
“Because of this ex-husband?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He let out a soft sigh, and I refused to look up at him. My throat was tight, my stomach knotted, but I stepped forward when the line moved.
“You know, maybe you wouldn’t be so sad about this ex-husband if you let me take you out. As a friend of course.”
I looked at him, really looked, trying to understand what the hell this man wanted with me. He didn’t fidget or look away; he just held still and let me assess him like he had nothing to hide.
“Maybe fate is trying to tell us something by making us cross paths again.”
The words struck deeper than they should have. My chest ached like someone pressed a thumb hard against a bruise. Was this fate working? I glanced around at the bustling streets—the vendors shouting, the scent of bread and flowers, the swirl of voices. All of it kept moving while I felt stuck, suspended between heartbreak and… something else.
Would I ever move on from Abram if I didn’t try?
He was probably already madly in love with his mate. The thought carved a raw line straight through me. Tears stung my eyes, and I blinked rapidly, trying to force them back.
“How about I make you a deal.” His voice cut into my spiraling.
When I looked back at him, he was watching me with a curious, steady expression.
“If we cross paths again, you’ll let me take you out. Because I believe that if something happens three times it is not a coincidence.”
I opened my mouth, ready to refuse, ready to tell him to leave me alone, but nothing came out. The truth was ugly and small: I didn’t have anything else going on. I’d gather my supplies, go home, and stare at my cottage walls wondering if Abram had already forgotten me.
Did Loma already erase my memory?
“Alright, deal,” I agreed softly.
