From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Matthew’s POV

I stood outside the community center’s coffee shop, checking my

watch for the third time in five minutes. Abigail wasn’t late–I was early, arriving a full fifteen minutes before our agreed time. The anxiety churning in my stomach had nothing to do with her and everything to do with last night’s disastrous conversation with Julia

White.

She thought you were gay, Hati reminded me, his amusement evident even in the mindlink. That you had feelings for her ex–boyfriend.

“Shut up,” I muttered under my breath, earning a curious glance from an elderly pack member walking by. I nodded politely and turned away, pretending to check my phone.

The memory of Julia’s wide–eyed realization and subsequent mortification when she’d suggested I was jealous of her because I had feelings for Daniel made me cringe all over again. Even worse was the spark of disappointment I’d felt when I realized she didn’t think I was

interested in her.

Which you’re not, I firmly reminded myself. You can’t be.

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Chapter 83

guiding her slightly as if we needed to navigate the perfectly straight

path. The gesture felt awkward and forced, nothing like the natural

movements of a man comfortable with a woman he was interested in.

Could you be any more obvious? Hati mocked. Why not just hold up a sign saying ‘Look at me with this woman who isn’t you‘?

I ignored him, stealing glances at Julia from my peripheral vision. She looked tired, her face paler than usual, but still achingly beautiful in a way that made something in my chest constrict.

Abigail, sharp as ever, immediately registered my behavior and the direction of my attention. Without missing a beat, she smoothly slipped her arm through mine, leaning slightly into my side with a familiarity that suggested intimacy.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all day,” she said warmly, her voice carrying just enough to be overheard.

My entire body tensed at the unexpected contact, but I forced a smile that felt more like a grimace. Every muscle in my body had gone rigid, and I knew I was failing spectacularly at appearing natural. Julia was only steps away now, and I deliberately avoided direct eye contact while still monitoring her every movement.

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