THE LUCAS' REJECTED MATE

e like a rhythm. I wasn't sure I could take another shock after all that had transpired between L

as soon as I saw the nam

almost wed until Lucas entered our lives. We had not communicated for years, not si

le scared of what I could discover. However, my insati

ve to catch up while I'm in town for a few days. I ha

o me? And why now, when everything in my life was already verging on chaos? The timing seemed almost too perfect as if

as if I hadn't seen it. However, there was a strange part of me that I didn't want to acknowledge. A little, persistent voice within me suggested

e before giving it too much thought. I'm free in the afternoon of

g trouble keeping my marriage together, and now I was letting myself into the past, which ma

rom the events of the last several days, and now I had this to cope with. I felt like I had no clear

l location, far different from the typical hangouts for Lucas and myself. I had specifically picked it out o

had promised to meet me here at precisely three, he had not yet shown. I question

ily recognizable as he approached me. He appeared nearly exactly as I had remembered, albeit perhaps

and we were once again together. The awkward feeling of seeing someone who had meant so much to me

ing voice that was exactly like I r

ttitude by forcing a smile. "Likewi

next. We hesitated, unsure of how to act around each other, as a res

avid said, pointing to t

. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air in the warm, inviting café, which had soothing music play

a simple cup of tea, while David ordered a coffee. As we waited for our

gan, his voice low. "I wasn't sure if you'd eve

swers. "Why now, David? After all this tim

nking about you a lot lately, Claire. About us, and what transpired between us. I think I rea

g back memories I had attempted to forget. "David, we ended thi

ut... I never really understood why we ended the way we did. It always

nresolved sentiments. In a sense, he was correct. We had broken up abruptly and ne

my words. "Our goals were different. You want exploration and adventure

don't regret my decisions. However, I regret how our relationship ended. I ne

the table, but he hesitated. I was able to gather my thoughts briefly du

resurrect the past. I just... I wanted to catch up with you and find out how you we

more than that previously, and it seemed terrible and right a

possible," while maintaining eye contact. "We

'd like to try if you're open to it. We were good together once, Claire. Mayb

pect of reconciling with David was appealing, particularly with everything going wrong in my marriag

ually, flashing a tiny grin. "I'm not sure what the

grin genuine. "That's all I c

I imagined, sliding into old patterns as if no time had gone. By the time we had finished our drinks, I experienced a

anged as we prepared to depa

st tell you something else as well. anythin

beat as I froze. "D

has to do with Lucas. You should be awa

od went cold. How on earth could David be awar

short when David'

ghtening with worry, he took