Tangled

Unshift 289

Unshift 289

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 tugst 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.

me," he says, shifting his weight as his eyes never leave me. They're golden and intense, different from the way he looked at me

finally recognizing the

That would be great.

and I'm transported back to Cedarwood. Back to when he'd found me, after I'd run away from everything

Gala. I wanted nothing to do with you, but you stuck around anyway. You were determined, and I was just afraid you'd leave me again. Change your mind at any time. But you never once blamed

small smile tugs at my lips as I remember those early days. "You'd break into my apartment while I was at work. Spread your scent around. It should have

brow furrows slightly, but he remains

sometimes, I continue, my voice

Who

endearing, really. The way you bend over backwards to

me from my family, Lucas. You're the first person to ever

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

cracking slightly. "I can't even begin to understand how you can be so strong, so

especially after... after all the times I

you away.

gaze

my Lucas, but at least he isn't staring at me like I'm a complete stranger. He's starting to see

repay a debt, I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. "You were always there, waiting for me to turn to you. And now.... now the tables have turned. It's

a low sound that reverberates through the quiet room, but I have

"How'd it go?"

door, her eyes shining

all.

the bond. Then he says something so casual that just destroys every last hope I've ever held."

admits, shrugging. "Wasn't sure when you'd

a punch to the gut. Is this really home now? It feels temporary, but our home isn't ours any longer.