Chapter 191

Matthew paused momentarily before raising his glass to toast Gloria. He then said, "Oh, by the way, this dinner isn't only to welcome you back. I also have some good news I wanted to share with you." "You have good news to share? What kind of good news?" Gloria asked, a sense of foreboding washing over her. She knew something was amiss since Matthew wasn't exactly known for sharing news for no reason. "I've met someone I'm interested in, and I'm currently pursuing her," Matthew replied. Though Gloria's words were subtle, Matthew understood her intentions and her probing. Thus, he responded to her in a way that made his intentions clear, hoping she would get the message and back off. Gloria was floored by Matthew's revelation and rendered speechless. She couldn't shake the feeling at that moment that maybe—just maybe—things would have been different if she had never left Westray. She was still reeling when the clinking of glasses snapped her back to the moment. She pulled herself to