“Well, it isn’t expired, but I guess I can’t guarantee it’s not poisoned.”
He lets out a soft chuckle that puts my stomach into a knot. “I’m sure it’s fine.” He stands up and makes his way to the bathroom.
I turn back to the pancakes, but there’s a knock at the door. Since this place is so small, I can lean forward to unlock the door and reveal Cassie. Her red hair is perfectly braided, the long end sticking out from a purple beanie. Her face is flushed and fresh, like she put on makeup just to come to our front door.
Doesn’t she have a plane to catch?
“Want pancakes?” I say, mostly because Luke probably wouldn’t appreciate if I told her to go away. It’s not like we have enough seating for three people in here.
“No, I’m heading out soon.” She tries to look over my shoulder. “Where’s Luke?”
“Bathroom.”
She seems disappointed. “Tell him I need help with something,” she says, and then steps back toward her bus, shutting the front door behind her.
Almost as soon as the door closes, Luke steps out of the bathroom.
“Who was that?”
I’m tempted to reply with “your girlfriend,” but I keep the thought to myself.
“Cassie. She said she needed something.” I turn back to the pancakes, and when I flip one over, the side is a little burnt. Thanks, Cassie.
“I’ll be right back,” he says, pulling his jacket on and slipping into his shoes. The door closes with a quiet click, and I’m left alone.
There’s a big window to my back, and I have to restrain myself from turning to look. I’d left the window shades closed, so any hope of a quick peek is out of the question. If I want to spy, I’ll have to peer through the slits of the blinds and hope they don’t notice.
Not that they’ll be looking my way. Cassie probably just wants to say goodbye before leaving for the airport.
I try to dismiss the thought of the goodbye kiss that is probably happening on the other side of the doorway.
Worst of all, Cassie lives in Massachusetts. On the other side of the state, sure, but if Luke wants to see her again, he can.
The thought leaves an aching feeling in my chest.
Would he want to see her again?
Chapter 33
Luke
The sliding door to the van is open when I approach it. Cassie’s sitting on the bed and scrolling through her phone, and she smiles when she looks up at me.
“Well, good morning, Mr. Romance!”
“Cassie!” I whisper loudly, looking back at the tiny house, worried Harper might have heard. I don’t know how soundproof the walls are, but at least the blinds on the front window are still down.
“Sorry, I’m just nosy. I have to leave, but I wanted to know how it went last night. It looked like you two had a cozy setup on the beach!” Cassie is oddly enthusiastic, considering that a day or two ago she wanted to date me and was angry that Harper was in the picture.
“Were you spying on us?” I cross my arms over my chest. I knew Cassie was up on the hill overlooking us, but I figured we were too far away to see.
She shrugs. “Not creepy spying. I could see a blanket when you guys were using your flashlights. I assumed you were taking my advice and making a move.”
I blink, a little stunned we’re having this conversation. How did she go from being so jealous to wanting me and Harper to get together?
“Cassie, I can’t keep up with you. Weren’t you just mad at me for sharing a place with Harper becausewewere dating?” I gesture to the both of us.
She bites her lip, a little embarrassed, and then gains composure. “Yeah, it’s called my boyfriend cheated on me and I was looking for a hookup, but even my hookup wasn’t interested in me. So rather than sit in the pity of being undatable, I decided to play matchmaker.”
