Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

Helen?s eyes widened when Matt looked right at her and, out of

habit, she pulled in a breath to call out to him, but his eyes skipped

right past her.

It was obvious that Matt had come into the café looking for her.

Helen groaned to herself and rubbed her tired eyes?Claire must

have told him that Helen was missing. Helen wondered how much

else he knew about her. Knowing Matt and how clever he was,

Helen was sure he had figured out some of her secret on his own,

like Claire had.

For a moment she wanted him to find her, but he was scanning

the room for Helen?s bright blonde hair. When his eyes didn?t immediately

spot her, he gave up. She wanted to throw her napkin at

Matt and yell that she was sitting ten feet away from him, but she

realized that it was silly of her to blame him for not recognizing

her. Still, it hurt not to be recognized by a guy she?d known since

she was in diapers. As she watched Matt walk out of the café, she

335/395

couldn?t help but feel like she was faceless, alone, and about as

substantial as a ghost.

?It?s better for him,? Daphne said consolingly as she reached

across the table to take Helen?s hand. ?The mortals who love us

never last long. Scions are tragedy magnets. It?s safer for them if

we leave before the trouble starts. That?s why I didn?t give Jerry

more time . . .?

?You never loved my father, I mean Jerry,? Helen interrupted bitterly.

She snatched her hand out from underneath her mother?s.

?No, I didn?t. I?m not going to lie to you to make myself more

sympathetic,? Daphne replied, moving her rejected hand to reach

for the check. ?But I would never wish harm on that man. Remember,

he?s the only person I trusted with my daughter. You hate me