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“Good. Good.” Granny turned to Jason and pursed her lips. “You’re further ahead than most, but there’s still a lot you don’t understand about what Cassie can do.”
Jason met Cassie’s eyes. “I’d like to find out.”
“I hope you mean that.” Granny’s voice was firm, but not cold. Still, Jason shrunk a little in his chair. “Cassie will see things you never will. Know things you couldn’t possibly know. It takes a strong person to stand to the side and let someone else shine, knowing they’ll never see that spotlight. Are you ready for that?”
There was a beat of silence before Mama T cleared her throat. “Mama, they’re not getting married.”
“Heartbreak is inevitable.” Granny’s words had a ring of finality to them. “It’s easier to patch a hole in the wall than it is to rebuild the entire house from the ground up.”
Cassie knew Granny Mabel was looking out for Jason, but she hated the fact that she could be the person to put the hole in the wall. The one capable of knocking the entire house down. Her abilities made her own life difficult enough to lead, but dragging someone else into the mix seemed cruel.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jason stood up and kissed Granny on the cheek. “Where is everyone?”
“Husbands are in the living room thinking we can’t smell the cigars they’re trying to hide from us.” She stood with a small groan and grabbed another plate of cookies. “The cousins are upstairs. Take these up with you?”
Jason led the way out of the room, but before Cassie could follow, Granny put a hand on her arm. “You’re good, Cassie Quinn. And smart. Jason is lucky to have you. But that doesn’t mean it will be easy. I hope you can forgive me for wanting to protect him.”
“There’s nothing to forgive.” Cassie meant it. “Everything you said is true.”
Granny nodded and let go of her arm. “And if Sabine Delacroix calls you out of the blue, think long and hard before you answer the phone.”
Cassie wasn’t sure what to say, so she nodded and followed Jason into the hallway.
12
Jason led Cassie up a narrow set of stairs before he stopped and turned to her. The floor creaked underfoot when he shifted his weight. His face was half concealed in shadow, but she caught the apology in his eyes. “Sorry about that.”
“About what?”
He gestured vaguely. “Them. Granny Mabel. She can be kind of intense sometimes.”
“I like her.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
There was a beat of silence. Jason took a step closer. All that separated them was the plate of cookies. Despite already having her fill, the smell made Cassie’s mouth water.
“I really don’t understand what’s happening.” He laughed. “But I’ve seen enough growing up to know I shouldn’t question it. Whatever is going on, I want to help. I don’t know what I can bring to the table.” He laughed again. “But I’d like to try.”
“I appreciate that.” Cassie shook her head. “If I’m being honest, I don’t get it most of the time either. But I like not being alone.”
“Good.” Jason hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Because there’s a room full of people who don’t understand the concept of alone time.”
Cassie groaned but didn’t protest as Jason took her hand and led her to a door at the end of the hall. She could hear music pumping on the other side, quiet enough to talk over but loud enough that she couldn’t make out the conversation. A peal of laughter broke through, and Jason’s lips twitched up in response. He shouldered his way into the room.
“Jay! You’re back!”
“Finally. Took you long enough, man.”
“Are those Granny’s cookies?”
“Did you bring anymore beer?”
“God, you guys are the worst. Let the man breathe.”
“He can breathe after he hands over the cookies.”
