All Chapters of Last Winter, You Gave My Love Away: Chapter 11

I took Matthew to a little coffee shop. Ever since we sat down, his eyes hadn't once strayed from me, and I did my best to pretend I hadn't noticed. I lifted my coffee cup and stared out the window, as though the view of the falling snow could hold my attention better than the man sitting across from me. Outside, the snow had begun to fall again, little flakes drifting down like nature's own confetti. It was a beautiful sight. Inside, soft piano music floated through the air, lending the place a kind of melancholy charm. And maybe it was the quiet, maybe it was the setting, but Matthew seemed to finally settle down. He watched me with an intensity I could almost feel, as if he was trying to read the lines of my face like they were the last chapter of a novel. His silence grew heavy, and I could see it dawn on him—he'd lost me. There was no turning back now. I decided it was time to face him. "Matthew," I said, finally meeting his gaze. "Look me in the eye and tell me—do you r