I spent the whole night crying and trashing my rented space. I was so close to packing up my things and running back to him until my body just gave up, and I passed out.
I was having a harder time moving on than the first time we got separated. Maybe because I already knew how it felt to be his. And no matter how many times I kept telling myself that it was he who drove me to this misery, I still couldn’t find it in my heart to hate him.
If there was only one consolation from all of this, it was that Riley had never been intimate with anyone. I was hoping it would remain that way until we could figure out a way to move on with the rejection.
I knew I wanted him, but I couldn’t just force myself to be with someone who didn’t want me in the first place. So I was trying my best.
Some days were better, but some days were worse.
I pushed the main door of the building where I was renting a small apartment. A few blocks away from here was the small diner that took me in as a server. In the beginning, I was hired just to clean up the table and help tidy up the kitchen, but eventually, I got the server post when one of the other employees resigned.
I was thankful for the people around me. Despite being new, I was welcomed. And if anything, I was glad I took the risk and jumped out of the train when it stopped in Atlanta, because I found her.
FLASHBACK
A Month Ago.
I went to the newly vacated booth and began stacking up the used plates and glasses on the tray before picking up the paper trash and placing everything on the trolley. I then proceeded to wipe the table clean.
In less than an hour, my shift would be over, and I could go to the park, where I would spend a few hours before heading home to the small apartment that I was able to rent cheaply.
The apartment was nothing grand, but it wasn’t terrible either. The walls were dull-looking, but nothing was leaking, and I had good ventilation. It was enough for me.
Prices around here were not cheap, so finding a reasonably priced apartment in a decent neighborhood was a challenge. However, I got lucky when the restaurant owner knew the landlord of the apartment, and she helped me secure this place.
I took one last look at the table. I was satisfied that it was now spotless, so I turned around, ready to head back to the kitchen, when I bumped into someone.
I gasped as steady hands held my shoulders to keep me from falling down.
“I’m sorry. I should have been more careful.” I smiled at the female standing before me, and she waved her hand in the air as she smiled back at me.
“No. It’s not your fault. I was actually approaching you, but I didn’t expect you to turn around.”
“I see. Would you like to take the booth here? It’s ready now.”
“Lovely!” She winked at me before she passed by where I stood, but not before she whispered something. “I can smell you.”
“Excuse me?” My eyes followed her as she sat in the booth I had just cleaned.
She curled her finger and motioned for me to come near her, which I did.
“I’m a wolf too.” Shesaid it in a very low voice, just enough for my werewolf hearing to pick it up.
“Oh,” I gasped before I smiled at her.
“Don’t worry. There’s not much of us around here, so your secret is safe.”
“That’s good to hear.” I chuckled. I just met her, but I think I will end up liking her. “I will ask a server to come and take your order. Just give me a minute.” I smiled at her and watched as she pulled her hair out of a ponytail before I turned around.
She looked familiar, though. I felt like I’d seen her before, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
I was already a few steps away from the kitchen when a memory flashed in my head.
Pictures. Tons of them. Those that were shown to me by Katya. She looked a bit older, but she still carried the grace and beauty that she had had more than twenty years ago.
My chest thudded loudly as I turned my body around and went back to where she was sitting. My eyes scanned the diner, and I was glad that the place was almost deserted. I stopped a few feet away from her and took a deep breath before I opened my mouth to speak.
“Zahra?” I said, my voice almost croaking.
