Page 80 of Rescued By the Beast
He turns his back to me and I close my eyes for a moment, frustration like a bucket of cold water as I take a deep breath, trying to calm down.
He answers quickly, the conversation is short, someone says something and he just replies with one sentence.
"I'll be there in ten minutes."
My stomach sinks with the feeling that the moment we were about to experience is disappearing like smoke.
When he comes back to me, I force a smile, but I feel the muscles in my face tense up. He frowns and puts his mobile phone in his pocket, pulling his hair again with a heavy sigh.
"Sorry, I need to get back to work."
I nod, trying to hide the disappointment that overwhelms me, and respond in the calmest voice I can muster.
"All right."
He takes a step back, hesitates for a second, as if he has realised something.
"If you see my cat..."
I don't think twice before answering, saying the first thing that comes to mind.
"She'll be fine, I saw her heading towards your house before you arrived."
I point to the gate of the cottage, only I don't look like astalkerbecause he indicated where he lived earlier.
"Thank you," he says, but before turning to leave, he speaks again, his voice deeper. "I hope we bump into each other again."
I smile so much that my cheeks hurt.
"I hope so too."
He starts to walk away, heading towards his car, but then something inside me compels me to act.
"Wait!"
He stops before getting into the car and turns to me, his gaze attentive. My body tenses up. I fiddle with the hem of my dress nervously, but I know I have to do this, that I can't let this chance pass me by.
"I have something to tell you... but I didn't have time, so it'll have to wait until the next time we see each other."
He stands still, his eyes fixed on me, intense, curious.
"Then I hope that day comes soon."
"Yes, I'll be around..."
"In the right place at the right time," he replies.
"Exactly." I blink.
He gives a quick, slightly enigmatic smile and finally turns away, getting into the car.
I stand there, watching him leave, a bittersweet taste in my mouth, the promise of a future encounter hanging in the air between us.
I can't put off my destiny any longer.
I need to tell the whole truth and break this curse once and for all.
But by the Stars...
