Longing for You (Touched by Magic Book 1) (6 page)

“No one.” His voice went softer. If his mouth weren’t so close, she wouldn’t have heard him. “When you’ve been a bartender for a while, you learn to read people. My instincts are keen, but I didn’t need them tonight. Your friend gave it away. That’s one hell of a show she’s giving the guitarist.”

Unsure if she’d heard him correctly, Cassie spun around in time to catch the last of Ally’s sultry dance. But just as quickly as she discovered her friend’s daring moves, they ceased. Ally’s profile revealed parted lips, and she was ogling the stage.

Cassie looked in the same direction, taking in the multicolored lighting, amps, and the band. The singer was facing his bass guitarist. Neither of the two held Ally’s attention, but the lead guitarist did. The way he was smiling said she held his as well.

So her friend was flirting with a musician. Big deal. Ally was single. It didn’t give Mike the right to judge her or insinuate that Cassie was bailing on their evening. She turned to tell him as much…and then something clicked. She did a double take of the stage, where the guitarist stood.

It can’t be…

The prickly sensation of realization spread over her body. It wasn’t just some random guitarist flirting with Ally. It was one they both knew well. Too well.

Jonah McCabe.

Did Ally realize it was—

As soon as the question formed in her thoughts, a blur of sandy hair and blue jeans rushed past. She shifted her eyes in the same direction, somewhat surprised to see Ally pushing her way through the packed floor. When she broke free, she hurried toward the rest rooms.

Was this really happening?

Concerned with Ally’s reaction to seeing Jonah, she wanted to follow her friend but glared toward Mike once more. She was tempted to explain what they’d witnessed. Then maybe he’d feel every bit the ass he’d made of himself.

If she wanted to give in to that temptation, she’d have to go to the bar because he was headed in that direction.

Asshole.

She’d never thought of him in that manner, but he’d never shown his jealous side until a moment ago. It was a side she didn’t fancy to see again. She’d tell him as much once she checked on Ally. Seeing Jonah had to mess with her friend’s mind, especially after Cassie swore he didn’t live in the area. She hoped Ally wouldn’t assume she’d lied.

Working her way through the crowd, she peeked at the stage. Jonah didn’t notice her. He was too busy staring in the direction she was heading, the same direction where Ally had disappeared from his sight.

* * *

The ladies’ room door closed behind Cassie, blocking out the new song the band was playing. She scanned the stalls on the back wall once she noticed the vanity vacant. All doors were ajar, except the one on the furthest end, and the open-toed heels underneath resembled Ally’s. Still, she needed to make sure.

Taking cautious steps, she moved closer to the stall “Ally? You in here?”

“Yeah.”

Relieved to know it was her friend on the other side, she grabbed the handle and shook the door. “Hey. Are you okay?”

A grunt echoed as Ally replied, “Having the time of my life.”

The shaky sound of her voice contradicted her words. Poor thing. As if running into the man that broke her heart wasn’t bad enough, according to Mike, she’d given Jonah ‘one hell of a show’.

Shit
…

There was no way to diffuse the situation. Not without bringing up the very thing that sent Ally rushing from the dance floor into the ladies’ room. No matter how much she wanted to keep her best friend in good spirits, she knew Ally would shed some tears before the night was over.
 

“I saw what happened. Actually, Mike noticed something was going on first. By the time I tuned in, you’d stopped dancing.”

She pulled on the door again, jiggling it until the sound of the lock sliding open filled the air. The door swung wider and a set of eyes pierced her. So far, they contained no tears, but it brought Cassie little relief. No show of emotions meant one thing. Ally was in shock.

It would be much better to deal with tears. Heartache she could comfort; denial…not so much. The sooner her friend released the emotions she kept at bay, the quicker she would move past what happened.

“Ally, I’m so sorry. I had no idea Jonah would be here. I didn’t know he was still around these parts. I heard he’d left for L.A.”

Her friend waved off the apology and moved toward the vanity. A quick glance at her reflection had her avoiding the mirror. “It’s okay, Cass. I know you wouldn’t do this to me on purpose. I’m sorry I’m ruining our night.”

“You’re not ruining my night. I’ve had a blast, but if it has to end, then so be it. There will be plenty more.”

Ally nodded and twisted the sink handles. She cupped her hands under the running water, splashing it on her face. It was this very reason that Cassie swore off love. She hated seeing her friend so upset.

Joining her near the sink, she patted Ally’s back as they both gazed in the mirror. It would be best to get her home, away from the possible situation that could develop if she and Jonah came face-to-face.

While she wasn’t sure if he’d actually approach Ally, the way he watched her walk away said the probability was good. That conversation had a fifty-fifty shot at going well or being a complete disaster.

“Listen,” she began as she squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “Take a few minutes to compose yourself. I’ll go pay for our drinks and call a cab. Neither of us should drive. Mike’s Manhattans are extra potent. Meet me at the bar in five minutes and we’ll get out of here.”

“Sounds good,” Ally replied. She turned off the faucet before turning back to face Cassie. “But at least let me pay for the drinks.”

Yeah right.

“No way,” Cassie answered, shaking her head vigorously. “It’s my treat. Welcome home, Ally.”

A few drinks and an escape route was hardly the welcome home present she wanted to give her friend. At least she’d be able to give Ally her birthday present tomorrow, but it wouldn’t make her feel better tonight.

Hell, it may not help tomorrow.

As Ally swiped the edge of the vanity, she let out a sigh. “I shouldn’t be this upset.”

“Yeah, you should. I know what Jonah meant to you, Ally. You should have told him the truth before you left.”

“I tried. He didn’t want to hear it. Not when he had plans to leave.”

For fuck’s sake, did she really still believe that shit?
 

She clutched Ally’s shoulder again and shook her gently. “He wouldn’t have left had he known how—”

“Don’t go there, Cassie.” Ally yelled the words. She freed herself from Cassie’s grip and stared inside the mirror again.

They’d never yelled at each other in all the years they’d known one another. No way was she going to allow Ally to get away with it this time. “Oh, I’m going there, and then back again.” She tapped her friend’s shoulder until they exchanged glances. “If he had known, you wouldn’t be hiding out in the women’s bathroom right now. You and Jonah would be happily married, raising a family, and enjoying life.”

“Whatever, Cass. Jonah would have grown restless with me. Music meant that much to him. His brother would have called with promises of fame and fortune. He would have left.”

While she didn’t doubt that Ally was right about Theo tempting Jonah, hearing Ally’s reasoning proved that she didn’t know him as well as she thought. Guess it took someone on the outside to see the bigger picture.

“You didn’t see the way he looked at you over the years.”

She wanted to continue, but Ally huffed and eased away from the counter. “Your theory is flawed. If he cared about me in the least, he wouldn’t have avoided my kiss.”

Dear God. She wished she’d captured all the times Ally and Jonah spent together on film. Then she could play the video and prove to her friend that the way she assumed Jonah felt wasn’t accurate.

Before she could say much more, the ladies’ room door reopened. She didn’t bother to see who entered, nor had Ally, but the sound of giggling was more than enough to annoy her.
 

Once she heard stall doors closing and locks sliding into place, she met Ally’s eyes. There was no reason to discuss this topic now that their privacy had vanished. She wouldn’t waste another second debating the past with someone who was blind to it. Besides, Ally was stressed. She couldn’t think rationally until she had time to process what had happened.

Forcing a smile onto her lips, she gave Ally a curt nod and stepped back. “We can argue the point another time. I’m going to pay for our drinks and get our cab. See you in a few.”

With that, she turned and walked out the door, refusing to give her friend a chance to object. If they were going to leave before Jonah had a chance to find Ally, then she had to pay for the drinks that Mike said he’d made. There wouldn’t be time to
settle
the tab later. After the shock and awe of the evening, Ally could use a friend.

Strangely enough, Cassie could too. Her friend wasn’t the only person thrown off guard tonight. Now she had to face the man who pissed her off, and she had to do it without making a scene.

This should be fun.

The more she thought about speaking to Mike, the harder she gritted her teeth. Damn Irish ancestry. It gave her one hell of a temper. She kept it in control most of the time, but this had been a day from hell. Mike’s behavior was her breaking point.

Music blared through the building, but each guitar chord served as a reminder to who was creating them. Poor Jonah. She’d loved to know what went through his mind when he saw Ally. Judging by the smile he’d worn, it had to be good. Then Ally turned away and disappointment covered his face.

As she came to a stop at the end of the hall, she swept the thoughts aside. Though part of her wanted to stay and talk to Jonah, Ally came first. Her friend was ready to go home.

It was time to deal with Mike.

If his
instincts
were as keen as he said, then he’d choose his words wisely when they spoke. If not, he’d be getting more than an ass chewing for his behavior. He’d get to see a side of Cassie few people saw.

He’d see the side that made the devil shake in his boots.

CHAPTER FIVE

The gritty sound of the guitar remained in Cassie’s thoughts as she moved toward the bar. Uncertainty beat in her heart, uncertainty over how many songs the band would perform before they were finished. She couldn’t count on them playing another one when the current song ended. Even with a long set, they’d need a break at some point.

That thought kept her focused on her task, but it didn’t erase her other concerns. She hated conflict, did her best to avoid it until it came down to defending herself. The last person she expected to judge her was Mike, but if he wanted to dish her more attitude, she’d sling it right back.

Each step brought her closer to her impending conversation. She worked her way between the other patrons standing around with drinks in their hands. No stools sat vacant, which explained the hasty movements of the two men behind the bar top.

Wedging herself between two parted stools, she observed the other bartender. She’d been so engrossed with Mike when she arrived that she hadn’t noticed Jimmy working. Seeing him brought a smile to her face. Maybe she wouldn’t have to deal with Mike after all. Anything she could do to avoid the conflict would be the best solution. Jimmy would make that possible.

It was hard to believe he and Mike were best friends when their personalities were exact opposites. Where Mike was a free spirit who lived life moment by moment with no regard to the future, Jimmy was grounded. She admired that about him, admired the fact that he went to school during the day and worked at the club in the evenings.

Ambitious men were sexy as hell and Jimmy had that drive. In another year, he’d earn his graduate degree in education. She didn’t doubt he’d land a job right away, or that he’d make a great husband for the lucky lady who won his heart.

She examined his body, admiring broad shoulders, defined arms, and a firm ass. Hell yeah he’d make a good husband…for someone who wanted to settle down. There was no woman in her right mind that would refuse waking up everyday next to a body like his.

He must have sensed her staring because he turned in her direction. A smile formed on his plump lips before he walked back to a customer and set a beer bottle in front of him.

Once the customer paid and Jimmy returned his change, a few long strides brought him down the bar to the spot where Cassie stood. She couldn’t resist tugging her lips upward. Neither could he.

“Hey, you,” he laughed. His arms folded across the bar as he leaned closer.

“Hey, Jimmy. You look great, as usual.”

“Me?” He slapped the bar top and gave her a hearty laugh. “Have you peeked in the mirror lately, Red? No one told me the most beautiful women in the world would be here tonight.”

“Seriously? Where is she?”

Cassie feigned surprise long enough to get him to chuckle. It was just like Jimmy to say something flattering, but unlike most people, his compliments held weight. He wasn’t one to say things just for the sake of saying them. Whatever words came out of his mouth, he believed to be true. Not that she agreed with what he was saying about her, but it sure felt good to hear it.

“Woman, don’t pretend I’m talking about someone else. You know you’re gorgeous. Ain’t no other woman made my boy lose his mind. He’s ate up with you. You know that, right?”

She rolled her eyes. Jimmy saw the best in people, including Mike. She didn’t doubt that he wanted his friend to settle down and make something of his life, but wishful thinking didn’t change a person. Mike had no problem living a bachelor’s life. He’d expressed as much on several occasions, but she didn’t mind. It was his detachment from deep emotions that kept her coming back.

They were fuck buddies, nothing more.

When the guitar solo in the background gave way to the final chorus, it served as a reminder that time continued ticking away. As much as she enjoyed Jimmy’s company, she couldn’t stay and talk. She had a friend that needed her.