Chapter 3 - Happy coincidence or is he a stalker?

Daniel

It took some doing to worm my way out of Harper’s grasp for a couple of days, but thanks to my incredibly busy schedule, I could leave our territory. I needed to see her one last time. That was what I promised myself. One last time and then it would be over, and I would set a date with Harper.

My spy had given me all the information I needed to plan an accidental meeting with Ava, and I was on my way to see my destined mate for the last time.

Ava

I had three months between my last skating event and the world championships, and I was going to use my time as effectively as I could. I practiced in the mornings, and treated myself to something relaxing in the afternoons.

Grandma and I lived on the edge of a small town with incredible forest covered mountains behind our home. I don’t remember much about where my parents and I lived, but I remember the smell of the forest and grandma’s home made me think of it.

My parents died in a freak accident when I was three and all I remember is my mother’s beautiful hair. My memories of them faded over the years, and all I had were the three photographs that were on my dressing table in my room. I was meant to have died in the accident with them, but for some reason, I survived and whenever I asked grandma about it, she looked so sad, I didn’t push.

It was me and grandma against the world, not that our sleepy little town was the world. I had two friends, Anna and Elise, and neither of them could understand why I spent so much time ice skating, but I loved my life in our sleepy little town. Anna and Elise were away on one of their adventurous holidays that I never went along with, which meant I was all on my own in the afternoons.

I had been back home for a week and today was the day I was allowed to cheat on my diet. I had one guilty pleasure. Only one I allowed myself to have. Ice cream, once every two weeks. As I walked into the store, my smile quickly faded at the sight that greeted me.

“Ava, what a nice surprise.” Daniel was seated at one of the tables with a cup in his hand. I noted a second cup in front of him and a shiver ran down the back of my spine as I wondered if he had ordered my favourite.

“What are you doing here? How did you find me? Patrick, call officer Martinez. This man is stalking me.” My eyes shot from Daniel to the young man standing behind the counter and back.

“I’m not stalking you. I had a meeting with the town mayor. I’m thinking of expanding my business to small towns. He sounded impressed.” Daniel smiled, and my knees almost gave way underneath me, making me swear silently as I frowned at him.

“How did you know what my favourite ice cream was or that I was going to come here today?” I frowned, taking the two steps closer to his table while Patrick disappeared into the back of the shop.

“Patrick told me what your favourite was. You know how these small towns are, and I didn’t know. I simply felt like ice cream, and we got to talking and well, here we are.” I hated his confidence. I was going to whip around and leave, but then I would miss out on my only treat for the week. I sighed and sat down and dug into the strawberry ice cream.

“What do you want from me, Daniel?” I looked up, licking my lips and his eyes flashed something, but it disappeared so fast, I couldn’t tell what it was.

“I told you before. I just wanted to share a meal with a beautiful woman, but you left before I could do that. Now I would like to share ice cream. I hope you don’t run again.” He emptied his cup and put it down on the table and stared at me.

“Did your mother ever teach you it was rude to stare?” I frowned. I couldn’t help but bite. He unnerved me for some reason.

“Yes, but she also taught me to look people in the eye when I’m talking to them. Tell me, Ava, what are your plans after you win the championship?” He looked amused, infuriating me even more. The one treat I loved having once a week was turning sour.

“I start training for the next season. I will have to defend my title.” I shrugged. To be honest, I hadn’t actually planned beyond that. All my life I have been training to become the world champion. That was the only goal I had in mind. The only thing I lived for. I breathed it. I finished my ice cream and grabbed my bag, getting ready to go.

“May I walk with you?” He got up and I sighed deeply.

“This is a small town. I will be safe. It’s not like the city.” I frowned, but it was clear that he wasn’t going to let me get away that easily this time. We walked through town in silence. When we turned left onto my street, I decided to break the silence.

“Why do I get the feeling you are going to pop up all over the place from now on?” I sighed.

“Well, like I told you. I had business with the mayor. I have a construction company, and I was thinking of expanding my business to other small towns like yours. It’s amazing to see how many of them have family-owned hardware stores, but very few contractors.” He frowned, and I stopped walking and glared at him. He hadn’t answered my question. He stopped and looked at me. “If I ask you to dinner, are you going to run out on me again?” There it was again. That flash in his eyes of something, but he blinked at it was gone.

“Well, since it’s become very clear that you intend on stalking me until I say yes, I guess I have no other choice but to have dinner with you. One dinner. That is all. Then you leave me alone.” I crossed my arms and glared at him, but he smiled, and it felt as if my knees were going to buckle under me again. What was it about this man that affected me so much?

“I promise. One dinner and I will leave you alone. Tonight?”