Chapter 289 Ava: Who He Is

The way Lucas watches me is terrifying.

Terrifying, because there's finally interest in his gaze.

I don't want to hold hope, because every time I have even the glimmer of it, he says something that crushes my heart. The way he doesn't even recognize our fated bond kills me. It's yearning, aching in my chest, wanting me to go to him. To claim him. To shake and scream until he remembers all the pain and all the joy between us.

Instead, I sit there, scratching more vigorously at my arms, and the string inside of me tugs harder, as if trying to get my attention. I ignore it.

"Your scent."

Glancing at Lucas, who stops talking mid-sentence, I sniff discreetly in the direction of my armpits. Did I forget to scrub? He keeps talking about my smell.

"Do I stink that bad?"

"It's getting stronger," he confirms, his voice husky.

Maybe this is his way of getting me to leave again. "Do you want me to go?"

"No."

Oh. Never mind, then.

My heart dances at that denial, though, raising hope high on a flag pole and waving it at the walls I've tried desperately to construct around my heart.

think of me," he says, shifting his weight as his eyes never leave me.

finally

That would be great.

back to Cedarwood. Back to when he'd found me, after

his. "After the Gala. I wanted nothing to do with you, but you stuck around anyway. You were determined, and

lips as I remember those early days. "You'd break into my apartment while I was at

but he remains silent,

my voice barely above a whisper. "And awkward too. It's endearing, really. The way you bend over backwards to keep me happy,

"You saved me from my family, Lucas. You're the first person

for me, everything he's been through because of me, settles heavy on my

even begin to understand how you can be so strong, so secure in your love,

golden gaze never

at least he isn't staring at me like I'm a complete stranger. He's starting to see me, even if he doesn't see his fated mate. It's a

before I can stop them. "You were always there, waiting for me to

chest. Lucas grunts, a low sound that reverberates through the quiet room, but I have no idea what

* * *

"How'd it go?"

soon as I walk through the door,

I melt into the couch, my body shivering at the memory of his eyes burning into me. "I don't know. Every so often, I think he's getting a hint of the bond. Then he says something so casual that just destroys every last hope I've

a plate with half a tuna sandwich and a pitiful handful of

got extra hungry," she admits, shrugging. "Wasn't sure when you'd come home, so

It feels temporary, but our home isn't ours any longer. What does it look like now?

the meager remains of my lunch, my appetite suddenly gone. "It's fine. I'm not that

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