Her chin trembled for a moment and then she sat up straighter. “Are you sure you two aren’t figments ofmyimagination?”
Zach chuckled. “No, but I honestly thought you might be a figment of mine. I’ve dreamt about you for weeks.”
“I thought you said you didn’t remember anything.”
“I saw your face for only a moment, but I remember my heart beating hard. Then I must have passed out. I honestly thought I had dreamt you.” It was way too early to tell her the other physical effects he had experienced that indicated she was his mate. “I couldn’t figure out how I made it into the cave when I couldn’t even shift.”
“I guess it was lucky that I came along then.”
Mike placed his beer bottle on the small table in front of the sofa. “I’m glad you showed up when you did, or I would have had to play forest ranger for a long time. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but leading people into the woods and showing them how amazing nature is, is something I enjoy more.”
“I think it’s wonderful that you love your job. It’s the same for me.”
“Who did you tell that you were leaving?” Zach asked.
“Only my family and Mindy, but I told my parents they’d be safer if they didn’t know anything. As for my work, I had vacation time coming, so I took it, but I never said where I was going or exactly when I would be returning. I will need to let them know at some point.”
Zach couldn’t imagine what it would be like to leave everything you loved behind. That Doug person was a monster. “You never did tell us where you are from. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing, we’ll understand.”
Cassidy huffed out a laugh. “I think it’s too late now. I’ve probably told you more than you wanted to know. I’m from Thomas Ridge, Wyoming. It’s a dot on the map.”
“Thank you for trusting us.”
“Thank Mindy.” Cassidy turned to Mike. “She thought you were amazing.”
“Then please tell her thank you.”
Cassidy smiled but then sobered. “If I see her again, I will.”
“Will you ever go back?” Zach asked, hoping she would say no.
“Like I said, I’m not sure of anything. My parents will be frantic if they don’t hear from me. They know I left with just a backpack and some cash. I didn’t even take my credit cards. I’m no expert in tracking someone, but I understand the basics. I also know that when I run out of money, I’ll need to get a job, but it can’t be as a firefighter.”
Zach had no idea what it entailed to become invisible. “What are you going to do?”
“I think it depends on you.”
“You mean if I let you stay here indefinitely?” Zach asked.
“Yes.”
“The cabin doesn’t belong to me. It’s my family’s, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to stay here in the winter.”
“Cassidy,” Mike said. “I have a possible solution.”
“What’s that?”
“I live in an apartment about this size. Zach, here, lives in a much larger two-bedroom house. Family money and all.”
“Fuck you,” Zach said and then smiled. “I bought that house with sweat equity. Technically, the bank owns it, but I pay monthly for the privilege of living there.”
“Whatever,” Mike said. “I bet Zach would let me crash in his second bedroom, and you could move into my place. The apartment is a third-floor walkup, which will make it harder for anyone to break in without you noticing.”
She stilled.Damn. They’d moved too fast. At least Mike hadn’t suggested she move in with him, for which Zach was grateful. Cassidy had been through something traumatic and didn’t need the two of them hovering over her.
Not only that, Zach hadn’t had time to speak with Mike about his friend’s feelings for Cassidy. If the quick change in eye color and the thickening of his friend’s facial hair was any indication, he and Mike had just found their mate.
CHAPTERFOUR