Chapter 145 – Moving Forward

Cassidy’s eyes lit up as a familiar aroma filled her nose. She got up from where she had been sitting in her Pop Pops study and began to follow the delicious smell. She peeked her head around the corner to see what her best friend was up to and smiled. Cassidy could tell that Nat was in a better mood when she could hear the subtle humming coming from across the room.

“You can come in, I’m not going to bite you,” Natalie confided while her back was still turned toward the kitchen door and continued stirring the food she was preparing.

Cassidy walked cautiously into the kitchen and sat on the barstool situated at the island counter.

Natalie moved over to the fridge and pulled out two drinks she had already prepared. She placed one in front of her quiet friend before saying, “I’m sorry for pushing you to do something you were not ready to do.”

Cassidy smiled and nodded before taking a sip from her drink. “Mmmm, that’s good, Nat,” she complimented. “So, what are you making tonight for dinner?”

Natalie twisted to look at her friend. She was feeling a little nervous, but she knew that moving forward was the best option for everyone at this time, even if it changed things between her and Cass. “I invited a guest over for dinner tonight, and I would like you to meet him. He’s very special to me, and I wanted you to get to know him.”

Cassidy’s brows furrowed; she was surprised that Natalie had hidden this person from meeting her before. “How long has this been going on?” she asked with her head down and her fingers tapping on the glass.

Natalie could sense the hurt in Cassidy’s voice. She turned around and walked over to the island, placed her hand on top of her friends, and said, “Just these past few months.”

Cassidy lifted her head and stared into her friend’s green eyes. Her shoulders eased as realization hit her. “I’ve met him already, haven’t I?”

Natalie squeezed Cassidy’s hand before nodding her head. “But you don’t have to worry about anything because it’s only him coming over and no one else.” She said as she turned back around to focus on the meal she was preparing.

Cassidy was confused by her statement. “Why would I have to worry about anyone else coming over?”

Natalie pressed her lips together before turning back around to look at her friend hesitantly and answered, “Gavin is best friends with Jacob.”

Cassidy’s mouth formed the shape of an O as she picked up her drink and took a gulp, this time instead of a sip.

Her feelings were conflicted by the information that Nat had told her. On the one hand, she was relieved that not a lot of people would be over; she didn’t want to get overwhelmed talking with people who assumed she knew them. On the other hand, she was curious about this Jacob guy but didn’t want to push things too quickly and get anyone’s hopes up. So she decided it was best for herself to stay quiet.

***

Jacob followed Gavin around the pack house as he tried to get ready for his dinner date with Natalie.

“Jacob, I’m sorry, you can’t come with me this time. We don’t want to overstimulate Cassidy and freak her out. She doesn’t want to try to get her memories back at this time, and we need to respect that,” he admitted.

Jacob frowned as he listened to his friend.

“I’m not trying to do any of that. I just want to see if she is okay,” he exclaimed.

Gavin turned around, placed his hands on his friend’s shoulders, and looked him squarely in his blue eyes. “I will let you know how she is doing. I will give you a detailed update on everything,” he assured him.

Jacob let out a heavy sigh and reluctantly nodded to his friend’s instructions.

Gavin looked at him with a lifted brow. “I’ve got to go before I’m late. Why don’t you shoot some pool with the Warriors tonight? It’s been a while since you hung out with them,” Gavin suggested.

Jacob waved his hand at his Beta/friend, letting him know that he could leave. He stayed to watch Gavin walk out the front door before turning and heading toward the game room as his friend had suggested, only to make a quick turn in the opposite direction.

Jacob headed outside and jogged toward the end of the house. He stayed in the shadows as he listened for Gavin’s truck to roar to life and take off. Jacob waited for a little bit before taking off running and heading in the direction of Cassidy’s cabin.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Jacob heard a familiar voice say to him in the dark.

Jacob stopped as he inhaled the scents around him. He shook his head when he realized who was sitting out there waiting for him. “Did Gavin put you up to this?”

Teddy jumped down from the tree he was hanging out in and walked toward his friend. “He did want to put some extra parameters in place in case you got the idea of taking a stroll in a particular direction,” he answered.

Jacob ran his hands through his hair as he let out a frustrated grunt. “This is pure torture. I think I have a right to see my mate,” he proclaimed.

Teddy nodded with sympathy.

He felt bad for his friend and knew how much he loved and cared for Cassidy, his mate. But it wasn’t his feelings that needed to be considered at the moment; they were hers. Teddy was trying to do the right thing for the future Luna of their pack—if she ever realized who she really was.

“How about we go for a nice run? I bet your wolf would like to stretch his legs for a bit,” Teddy suggested.