Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 153

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY THREE

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY THREE

Talia’s POV

Both men fell silent at my words. The guards stood alert while keeping a careful distance. Jason responded first saying, “Hey, I came to ask you out.”

“Out of the question,” Nolan growled.

Jason did not look at him when he said, “I was not asking you.”

I could feel Nolan’s Alpha aura rolling off him. The guards exchanged a glance. I was not interested in watching them fight each other.

“Why? You have already apologized multiple times. What’s more to say?” I asked.

“There is something that I need to tell you in private. We can go into Fangvale. It’ll be neutral ground,” Jason replied.

“It is ridiculous. She already told you no. You need to go home,” Nolan interjected.

I frowned at Nolan trying to control the situation. I remembered Colin’s plan when he said: “Keep your distance from Nolan. He’ll reveal his feelings in time.” This was my chance to show him I could hold the boundary, no matter how confusing his signals were.

“Since I already spent time with Nolan at the bonfire,” I said. “Today I am going with Jason.”

Nolan’s eyes narrowed in disbelief, but he did not speak. I held his stare for a moment to make sure he understood that I was serious about this. Then, I turned my attention back to Jason.

“Really? Are you serious?” Jason asked.

“Hurry up or I’ll change my mind,” I snapped, walking past him. I decided that we would walk to the nearest café. It would help me calm down and hopefully, Jason would just tell me what he wanted to say on the way there.

Unfortunately, I was not lucky. Jason stayed silent the entire time we walked. It took us about 15 minutes to get to Fangvale. People moved in pairs and small groups as they entered and exited shops.

Jason guided me to a modern cafe. Inside, soft jazz played. A host greeted us and led us to a booth with half-height privacy panels. The cushions were firm and clean. A ceiling vent kept the air cool.

We sat across from each other. A server arrived with two bright drinks in tall glasses, one pink and one gold, each with thin slices of fruit floating near the top.

“What is it?” I asked.

“A house mix,” Jason said. He picked mine up and took a sip. Then, he took a sip from his drink. “See. Safe,”

I kept my hands folded and said, “Drink more than a sip.”

He took a longer drink and set the glass down, “Do you trust me now? I would never hurt you,”

I lifted the glass and tried a small sip. It tasted sweet at first, and then floral. A gentle warmth moved down my throat. I set the glass back on the coaster and watched him.

“This is not a date, you know it,” I said. “I am not promising you anything.”

“I understand,” he said. “I am grateful for the hour.”

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked.

“You look different,” Jason said. “You look stronger than before.”

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY THREE

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“Nothing about me has changed, Jason,” I responded. “I am just exhausted.”.

“You are still beautiful,” Jason continued and I rolled my eyes. Compliments from him didn’t come without a price.

I took another sip from my drink. “Let’s get to it, Jason. What do you want?”

“Can’t I compliment you?” Jason teased.

“No, you cannot,” I responded. “You’re wasting my time.”

He did not argue. He traced a finger along the rim of his glass and looked up again. “I am sorry for what I did. I have said it, but I will say it again because it matters. I was selfish. I listened to the wrong people. I hurt you.”

The apology sounded genuine this time. I hated to admit that his apology moved me this time. I refused to accept it out of

stubbornness.

“You said you wanted lunch,” I said. “Order something.”

Jason smiled faintly and said, “I will. Only if you stop overheating in that jacket.”

“I am not hot,” I said:

“The air here gets heavy in the afternoon,” he said. “Let me help you with it.”

“No.” I said, frowning.

Jason lifted both hands and settled back. “Alright.”

I reached for the menu and then paused. Heat began to rise across my chest and neck. It started as a mild flush and then grew. The vent above us still pushed cool air, yet my skin felt warmer with each breath.

I brushed my hair back from my face. “Why is it so warm in here?”

“I told you it gets hotter,” Jason said. He nodded toward my glass. “It might help to drink more.”

The heat spread lower. My heart began to beat faster. The edges of the room looked too bright. I gripped the table as I tried to steady myself. I had felt this before.

“What is wrong?” Jason asked.

“I do not know,” I said.

“Do you want me to call the server? I can get you some water.”

I shook my head. A pull gathered low in my stomach. I crossed my legs as I began to throb. I knew this feeling. It felt like the onset of heat, and it should not have been happening now.

Jason studied my face. “You are flushed,” he said. “Take off the jacket.”

“I said no,” I answered.

“Let me help,” Jason said as he stood. He walked over to me and reached toward my sleeve.

I pulled back. “Do not touch me,” I growled.

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