Page 98 of Lightning Angel

Alexa flipped her hand over Cassie’s and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. She was relieved to hear that Cassie was healing from the heartbreak Brandon had caused. John had been attentive to Cassie ever since he heard about their breakup; he even tried to go to the jail and confront Brandon, but Alexa and Cassie had stopped him. In the last week alone, they’d spent an awful amount of time together as friends, something they hadn’t done since Cassie began dating Brandon, and it was obvious John’s attentiveness was filling the chasm in her heart.

“I know, Cass. I understand. I just thought that, what if she has changed and now wants a chance with us. You and I cannot deny what fiction has taught us about those two things. I believe our mother has changed and she needs a second chance. She was desperate that day, but we let our bitterness blind us—”

“No,ourbroken heartscouldn’t experience more pain than they had endured. That’s what. Her betrayal is still raw in my heart. I’m sorry, Alexa, but I don’t want to talk about this.” Cassie blinked away her tears and reached back for her laptop. “You can go with Tristan, I’m not gonna stop you. But I’m not coming.”

AlexawantedCassie to go with her; she had expected to convince her sister into giving in. But her attemptswere futile. There was no point in talking to her again. Alexa stood and walked to the door as Cassie resumed editing her upcoming book.

Tristan sat on the armchair by the table when she entered her room. She brightened at the sight of him and closed the door before running into his arms as he stood to receive her.

“You’re here,” she whispered, snuggling to him.

“Of course, I’m here. You have a welcome sign in your balcony for a certain supernatural human with teleportation ability.”

He was referring to theopenbalcony doors. She laughed.

Alexa left them open the entire time she was home, and closed them only when she retired to bed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t step into her room but wait out on the balconyuntilshe let him in. As adorable as his gentlemanly ways were, sometimes they annoyed her too—but in a good way.

“I’m beginning to think of hanging an actual welcome sign on my balcony door, in case I have to keep it closed for any reason in the future.” She rested her chin on his chest and tipped her head back to look at his smiling face. “With something written like,the door is locked, but do come in, oh posh gentleman.”

Tristan threw his head back and laughed. “And do you need an artist to make this sign board for you?”

“I’d heartily appreciate his service.”

“Of course, you would.” Tristan pressed his forehead to hers. “So, what did Cassie say?”

Alexa frowned and sighed. “She doesn’t want to see Mom.”

His facial expression sobered. “Why not?”

“She’s still hurting, you know.” Alexa bit her lip, hesitating for a moment, before blurting out, “She’s the one who caught Mom sneaking herloverout in the middle of the night when she went down to the kitchen for a drink. It has haunted her since.”

Tristan’s face crumbled in remorse. “Oh, Alexa.” Those two words were enough to tell her how much he understood. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

“That’s why Cassie is more hardened than I am.” She buried her face in his chest.

“It’s okay if Cassie doesn’t want to come. I can somehow understand her feelings. But, don’t worry. I’ll drive you to visit your mother.”

“Actually,” she said and looked up at him. “I’m not going.”

Tristan furrowed his eyebrows. “Why not?”

“Cassie is right; she broke us. And it’s not easy to forgive her. I’m surely jumping to conclusions about this visit.” She pulled away and rubbed her temples tiredly.

His arms fell from her. “What do you mean?”

“I need time.”

“Time for what?”

She met his gaze with a weary sigh and froze internally at the glassy sheen in his beautiful eyes. “Tristan?” She closed the distance between them and cupped his face, but he stepped back from her hold and turned away, raking both hands through his hair.

What had she done?

“Tristan?”

“You have a mother, Alexa,” he began, not turning around to look at her. “A mother who is longing for you.Yes, she broke you, but now she’s seeking a second chance with you. Shelovesyou; from what I heard her say, she never stopped loving you. And I can’t believe you’re holding her past against her, even after all these years.”

Alexa gaped at his back, dumbstruck.