Page 14 of Mended Fences

“What?”

“Nothing.” He turned to look back at the fire and sipped his cocoa.

“I, um, have a massage appointment in an hour, so I’d better…” I hitched a thumb over my shoulder.

Chase stood, and I followed suit. “Oh, yeah, of course. Well, uh, thanks for, ya know, hanging out with me?”

It came out as more of a question than a statement, and I didn’t miss the tiny shake of his head. I seemed to fluster this otherwise confident man.

I liked that.

“Thanks for the lesson,” I said. “You’re a good teacher. They’d be foolish not to hire you.”

Chase graced me with another dazzling smile. They were given so freely; he appeared to be such a generallyhappyperson.Wonder what that feels like.

We both stood there, unmoving, staring into each other’s eyes. The moment felt loaded with…something. I didn’t know why, but I suddenly didn’t want our time together to end.

But it had to.Hewas not part of the plan, and I couldn’t afford to make any missteps.

“Bye, Chase.” I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me, along with his hand grasping for mine. An electriczingshot up my arm.That has to be some sort of medical condition.

He pulled me back to face him, closer than we’d been standing before. “Can I ask you something?”

“I, um, sure.” I tried to catalogue all the illnesses that could cause buzzing skin, but my brain was short-circuiting from a simple touch.

“What’s the deal with your husband?”

My eyes widened, and I withdrew my hand so quickly, Chase lurched forward a bit before righting himself.

“That’s none of your business.” My tone was harsh, brooking no argument.

“You’re right.” He threw up his hands. “I’m sorry. It’s just…”

He dropped one hand and ran the other through his unruly chocolate hair.

“You feel this, right?” he asked, gesturing between us. “It’s not just me?”

Of course, I feel it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His blue eyes hardened, and he looked utterly devastated, but it was for the best—for both of us.

“Right. Of course. Sorry. I’ll just, um—” He cleared this throat. “I’ll see you around, Elena.”

Chapter Six

CHASE

Then, December 2023

Elena’s bootsclicked against the polished wood floor of the lodge as she walked away, her spine straight as a rod, shoulders tight.

She didn’t look back once.

My hand still tingled where she’d yanked hers away, like my skin was mourning the loss of her touch.

That hadn’t gone how I’d hoped.