Page 83 of The Heart of Winter

"Don’t even say it out loud. You knowFirst Touchdoesn’t work for betas. That's why it's so rare for us to recognize our fated mates. Statistical improbability."

He tilted his head slightly. "True. But what if there’s some unexpected factor involved?"

"Come on. I don’t want to get my hopes up just to be disappointed later. It’s better to take things as they come, without expecting too much."

"Wow. That’s a very new philosophy for you. You’ve always controlled, double-checked everything. But this? This could either be a huge success… or a huge mistake. You could lose your job, your reputation, and get accused of sexual harassment by your subordinate. The Lowens have power. Jacob could lose his shit."

I nodded.

"Yeah. All of that could happen. But Finn, I’m thirty-four. If I don’t take something from life now, then when? My entire existence revolves around work and the gym. If I want to experience something real, something more… then this is my moment."

I could see in his eyes that he understood me. Because he was in a similar place himself.

"Maybe you’re right. I’d like to have that chance too, you know. To experience something… incredible. Something unforgettable. Something I won’t have to…"

He trailed off, lifting his eyes to the sky, and suddenly said,

"Thank you for being decent enough to meet with me and tell me in person that you and I are done. You’re a good man, Winter. And I wish you luck, I hope you find what you’re looking for. And even if it doesn’t last, you’ll at least have moments to remember when you were happy. And that’s already something."

"That’s true."

"Come on, let’s walk along these cliffs a little more. Something about them is calling to me, maybe I’ll take a few pictures," Finn murmured, his gaze constantly drifting upward.

I sighed. I really didn’t feel like climbing up there, but… this might be the last time we saw each other. I could do this—for him.

A few minutes later, after hiking the steep path, we reached the top, where there was some overgrowth.

"Do you see that, Winter?" Finn pointed toward the cliff’s edge. "Someone is standing over there."

I squinted in the direction he was pointing, and froze. He was right. There was someone hunched near the edge, way too close to the drop.

As we got closer, I blinked, suddenly recognizing the figure.

"Finn… I know who that is. It’s Liam. He works at DevApp. He used to date Soren. Was completely in love with him. But then Soren left him for… my brother. Skye."

Finn’s eyebrows shot up.

"Damn. That sounds messy."

"Yeah. Complicated."

"Well, you can fill me in later, but for now maybe we should try to get him away from the cliff."

"He’s probably just admiring the view," I said, not entirely convinced. "Let’s leave him alone."

But Finn didn’t listen, he was already heading straight for Liam.

I sighed again. Not exactly how I imagined ending the day. Finn was completely locked in on this guy, so I just shrugged and followed. Not like I had a choice.

What I really wanted was to see my… Minty.

But that would have to wait… till after the holidays.

***

I spent the holidays at my family home, not wanting to be alone, left with my thoughts, struggling with the strange longing that filled me. It was growing. The impatience, the desperate wish for the days to pass faster so I could get to the airport, and…

Such bizarre feelings for me!

---