Longing for You (Touched by Magic Book 1) (15 page)

Cori shifted in the seat. She crossed her bare legs and adjusted her shorts while grumbling, “I live with Mom and Dad three months out of the year. The other nine I live in the dorm. Normally, I have extra money, but I’m paying for my car repair.”

“Okay. I’ll give you that much, but I know you party a lot. Hell, I’m running into you at clubs I frequent.”

“Please. I spend money on cab fare. I always get free drinks.” Cori ogled her, then refaced the windshield and flipped her hair. “You’re not the only one who knows a bartender,
sis.
By the way, I finally met Mike the other night. He didn’t know he was talking to your little sister and I didn’t tell him as much. I can see why you go to Midnight Blues a lot.”

Cassie parted her lips to chastise Cori but thought better. Her little sister wasn’t much different than she was at her age. Hell, Cassie was still living the party life. The only difference is she knew her limits. Responsibilities came first.

“You shouldn’t do everything I do, Cori. I’m not exactly the best role model.”

“You’re living your life the way you want. So am I.”

“Yeah, but I’m not bumming money off people. It’s okay to have a good time, but you can’t do it every day.”

“I’m not!” Cori’s voice rose. Her face contorted with anger, but when she refaced Cassie, it softened. “The money is for a class I want to take this summer.”

“Why not ask Mom and Dad? They help with everything else school related.”

“Because they’re more concerned with my major in teaching. This class is for my minor.”

Cassie entered the interstate and accelerated the car. When Cori didn’t finish, she glanced toward the passenger seat. “What’s your minor?”

“Dancing. I want to be a dance instructor or maybe find a choreography job. I’ll still teach, just not with books.”

Cassie sighed. She couldn’t expect Cori not to follow her dreams when she had. In fact, majoring in marketing and minoring in music both served a purpose for her job. Cori would be no different.

“Fine. I’ll give you the money, but if Mom and Dad get pissed, leave me out of it. There’s two hundred dollars in my purse. Grab a hundred and keep the extra twenty for lunch.”

“Thank you, Cass. I won’t tell Mom or Dad about this, and I
will
pay you back.”

Shaking her head, Cassie concentrated on the cars weaving in and out of traffic. She would do anything for Cori as long as she did the right thing. “Finish the class. That’s all I ask. You’re an adult and can make your own decisions. I just want you to make the right ones. We only get one chance on certain things in life. Make good choices. Second chances are rare.”

Silence filled the car until Cassie reached her exit. As she merged onto the ramp, she caught Cori gawking her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was thinking about what you said. Do you have any regrets, anything you wish you could do differently if you had a second chance?”

The question repeated in Cassie’s mind as she pressed the brake and waited for the light to change. She didn’t have many regrets. Certain things left her curious. Theo was a prime example. Yeah, they’d flirted a little when they were younger, but how would he have reacted if she’d been as bold with him then as she was over the weekend?

God, she swore she could still feel the warmth of his lips…

“Come on, Cassie. Spill. You know I can keep a secret.”

The light changed before Cassie could answer. She pushed the gas and followed the row of cars ahead. Damn morning traffic. She was already late and she still needed to drop off Cori.

“Where exactly am I taking you? You never told me.”

“Remember the dance studio just a couple blocks from your office? I’m going there… Now will you answer me?”

“Did you ask me something?”

A gritty growl erupted from Cori’s direction, then she whined, “
Cass
…”
 

The sound pierced Cassie’s ears. It would only continue if she didn’t answer, yet she refused to reveal her thoughts about Theo. Guess she really didn’t need to. There were far more important things she would change if she could.

“All right. Yes. There is something I would do differently. I would tell Ally the truth about Jonah McCabe.”

“What do you mean?”

The traffic inched along slowly, leaving Cassie with no escape from the conversation. At least the spotlight was off her and on her best friend.
 

“Ally made a move on Jonah before she left for college. He rebuffed her. It broke her heart and she left thinking he didn’t want to be with her.”

“Was she blind?” Cori chuckled. “I was fifteen and saw it clearly.”

“Friendship boundaries between men and women are often gray. It didn’t help that both were shy and afraid to admit the truth. By the time Jonah manned up, Paula Jacobs interfered.”
 

Cassie switched lanes and bypassed the construction crew causing the traffic delay. It wasn’t easy reliving the past. She still blamed herself for not taking a stand against Paula. But like Jonah, she was naive and afraid that Ally’s mom would follow through on her threats.

“Paula warned Jonah not to tell Ally how he felt. If he did, she would lie and tell Ally that Jonah and I messed around. Even though they never dated, Paula knew they had feelings for each other.”

“What a bitch. I mean, I understand her not wanting Ally with Jonah, but she didn’t have to drag you into it.”

“Ally and Jonah were perfect together,” Cassie shouted. She pulled into an empty parking space near the studio and shifted the car into park. “How can you say you understand Paula not wanting them together?”

“Don’t be so defensive,” Cori snapped. “I understand why girls were attracted to the McCabes. They were hot as fuck, but they got a reputation for a reason. They were trouble. You and Ally are better off.”

“Me and Ally? What the hell are you talking about?”

“The four of you were close, but you got in trouble hanging out with them. I remember you being grounded. A lot.” The passenger door opened as Cori exited. She closed it behind her then rested her arms on the window once Cassie lowered it. “All I’m saying is Paula did her daughter a favor. It just sucks that she used you to do it.”

“You’re wrong about the McCabes. Jonah was a good guy and Paula realized that after it was too late. Luckily, the McCabe boys are in town on business.”

Cori’s brows knitted. “So?”
 

“Ally and I ran into them at Midnight Blues on Friday. Theo and I have spoken and we’re forming a plan to make sure Ally and Jonah get their second chance.”

“Ha,” Cori broke into fake laughter. “Good luck with that. By the way, thanks for the money and the ride. ” She smirked at Cassie before racing off to the studio.

There was no point in saying anything else. Cori was right. Cassie would need luck. Ally wouldn’t agree to meet up with Jonah and Theo without a lot of persuasion. It would take a few days to work out the details. Doing as much meant texting Theo, but the more Cassie talked to him, the more he overtook her thoughts.

If it were any other guy, she wouldn’t complain about the attraction. This time she had something to prove—that the hair comb she purchased at the antique store didn’t live up to its legend. If it did, she hoped her true half hadn’t come into her life, because the men she was currently drawn to weren’t suitable life partners, if such a thing existed. Mike was too jealous, and Theo…
 

He was trouble with a capital T.

* * *

The muggy morning air disappeared behind the glass door as it closed behind Cassie. Her heels clicked against the floor, each swift step bringing her closer to the receptionist’s desk. The large, oval clock above forced her to accept the facts. She was late. Twenty minutes late. She’d spend the rest of the day playing catch-up.

“You’re late.”

Cassie peered at Nora, who leaned her elbow against the desk and rested her chin in her hand. Her brows rose higher, then she winked.
 

“God, I know I am. This is not the best way to start off the week.”

Nora nodded. “Bet you haven’t had coffee yet either.” When Cassie shook her head, Nora clenched her teeth and sucked in a breath. “Well, we can’t have your day go straight to hell. Guess it’s a good thing Monroe’s knows our orders well.
 

A smile grew on Cassie’s lips when Nora lifted a to-go cup from the corner of the desk. The logo for Monroe’s Coffee, Cakes, & Croissants was plastered on the side in its usual spot. Her mouth watered at the thought of what was inside the cup—a Bavarian white mocha latte.
 

“Is that what I think it is?”
 

When Nora nodded, Cassie clapped her hands together then reached for the cup. The minute her fingers wrapped around it, she brought it to her lips and sipped.

“Your first appointment is already in your office,” Nora replied. She wiggled her brows and grinned. “You lucked out. Even the manager is hot.”

“God, Nora. Thanks a lot.” Cassie covered her eyes and squeezed her temples with her fingertips. “Now when I meet him, I’m going to think about your goofy response and laugh in his face.”

“You’re welcome.”

Cassie lowered her hand and continued past the front desk. She could still hear Nora giggling as she made her way down the corridor toward her office. She wasn’t looking forward to this meeting, not without a sufficient supply of caffeine flowing through her body. The mere thought made her take another drink of her latte.

Although she and the manager had a pleasant conversation last week, the twenty-minute wait he’d encountered would irritate a patient person. She knew little about him or the band he represented, which meant she could open the door to an ass chewing.
 

This wasn’t the way she wanted to begin a new working relationship.

Once she grabbed the door handle and opened it, she put on a smile and prepared for the worst. A man stood at the corner of her desk, facing one of the leather chairs. He was partially sitting with his arms crossed, but lowered them and stood when he saw her.

“Good morning.” She kept her voice chipper. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting so long. I would have left earlier had I known I’d run into road construction.”

“No need to apologize, Miss Clarke. A couple of my guys are running late too.” I hope it’s okay if we start without them. They won’t be much longer.”
 

“Of course.”

He approached her and stuck out his hand. “Josh Decker at your service. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Likewise.” She didn’t say anything else as they shook hands. Nora’s comment came to mind and she fought not to burst into laughter, but only because Nora was right. Josh was hot.
 

“I should probably introduce you to a couple of the guys from Southern Scandal,” he said as he turned toward the chair.

Cassie repeated the band’s name in her mind. It sounded familiar, but not because he’d already told her. She’d heard it over the weekend. Was it one of the—?

The thought had little time to form once all the pieces came together. Realization jolted her as one of the band members stood. She stared in disbelief at the bright blue eyes aimed in her direction.

“No need for an introduction, Josh. I know Miss Clarke,” Theo said as he gazed down her body. “I know her well.”

Her mouth gaped. She stammered for an answer, but another familiar face came into view. Jesse Woods.
 

“Damn woman, you get more gorgeous every time I see you.” He caught glares from both Josh and Theo then raised his hands defensively. “It’s cool, Josh. We went to school with Cassie. In fact, she and Theo used to get into trouble together. You better watch these two.”

Josh shook his head when Jesse roared with laughter. It wasn’t until Theo punched his friend in the arm that their manager refaced her and grimaced. “So, I guess there’s no need to warn you about their bad behavior.”

Both Theo and Jess frowned at him, but Cassie snickered. “No need at all. I’m well versed on these two.”

She exchanged glances with her old classmates, but Theo gained her undivided attention, at least until Josh handed her a file. “These are the papers you faxed to my office. If you point us in the right direction, we’ll grab what we need and begin our first session.”

“Sure thing. I have you scheduled for Studio C. Just take a right and follow the corridor to the end. It’s the last door on the left. I’ll be in to check on you soon.”

“Thank you.” Josh smiled then motioned to Theo and Jesse. “Theo, call Allen and Jeff and get their ETA. Jesse, you come with me.”

Cassie walked to her desk and laid the file across it. She took another sip from her cup then set it down and turned around. She didn’t make it far before she collided with Theo.

“Oops,” he chuckled and grabbed her arms before she lost her balance. “Sorry. I thought you were going to sit in your chair.”

“It’s okay.” She gazed at his chest and swallowed hard. “I uh…”
 

His head dipped towards hers. For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, but he didn’t. What a disappointment.

“Surprised to see me?”

She nodded. “How come you didn’t mention you’d be here today when I told you I work here?”

“I wanted to surprise you.” His eyes lowered to her lips then back. “I think I succeeded.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“Then I guess we’re even. God knows you shocked the hell out of me before you left the club the other night.”

Fire flooded Cassie’s body. Did he really just bring up the kiss? She didn’t understand why she’d kissed him, even spent the rest of the weekend trying to make sense of it. If this was his attempt to get a logical explanation, he was shit out of luck.

The only thing that could explain her behavior was anything but logical. The comb. The legend. There was no way she would tell him about either. How could she when she didn’t believe it herself?

Theo McCabe could not be her true half. It wasn’t like that between them, nor was it ever. She had to get her shit together and focus on the objective…Jonah and Ally. The thoughts of Theo had to stop. There was only one sure way to do that. Fire back with her own taunts.