Page 47 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

He stayed silent, his mouth opening and closing. Gently, he steered me toward The Maple Leaf, my favorite brunch place. We used to come here on Saturdays in high school.

Shane nodded at the hostess, who led us back to the same tucked-away corner booth we had shared when we’d been together.

I shimmied along the worn cushioned seat. My fingers toyed with the edge of the menu. Shane stood still, his shoulders pinched up to his ears. After a long exhale, he lowered gracefully onto the bench, sliding in next to me, leaving enough space to make sure I wasn’t crowded.

Unfortunately for me, I wanted him to crowd me. I wanted to drown in that crisp caramel scent.

The tip of his tongue pressed against the point of one of his canines as he ran a hand through his hair. It was longer than I remembered, the reddish strands almost hanging over his brow.

Now it appeared windswept and carefree. I wondered if it was as silken as it had been when we were younger. My right hand lifted slightly, and I quickly stuffed it back into my lap.

“So, love. What should I do first? Explain, grovel, or give you your present?”

Something twinkled in his eyes, something close to mirth.

Despite my attempt to stifle it, a quiet laugh bubbled out. I pressed my lips together, curling my hand in a “gimme” motion.

He chuckled as he slid the box in my direction.

My fingers trembled as I tugged the ribbon, peeling away the paper. Smooth velvet brushed under my hands as I opened the box.

Air rushed from my lungs in a sharp hiss. My thumb drifted over the crystal dove nestled in a bed of sapphire silk.

It was the same gift he had given me one week before he broke my heart. He told me it promised forever. Our forever.

A few days later, I hurled that dove at the wall, watching as it shattered into a million pieces.

I’d always regretted that.

“Shane.”

His name was a strangled whisper on my lips.

I didn’t even realize I was crying until a tear splashed onto the crystal.

SEVENTEEN

SHANE

It gutted me. The sight of Mia’s tears felt like a serrated blade being dragged across my stomach. My alpha snarled, unable to stand our beautiful omega in so much pain.

Pain that I caused.

Again.

Fuck.

I messed it up. It was a bad idea. I knew I should have stayed away.

As I stared at that crystal dove in the shop, it felt like fate.

Now it felt less like fate and more like me being an idiot.

“Don’t cry, love.” My finger skimmed her cheek, flicking away tears from her blush-burned skin. “Please. I can’t stand to see you cry. I never wanted to hurt you. Never.”

“But you did,” she hissed, slapping her hands on the table.

The water glasses rattled. Red-rimmed, puffy eyes blinked at me. The delicate column of her throat struggled with a swallow as her tiny frame shook.