AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hey.” I can’t help the smirk that blooms.
I’ve never been one to kiss and tell, but something about mere feet separating us right now has me doing the whole “I’ve seen you naked and I’m thinking about it right now” song and dance. Cassandra isn’t much better, because she audibly gulps and can’t stop her eyes from flitting to my mouth.
“Can’t believe you’re going the healthy route of corn with all of the guilty pleasure food they’re pedaling,” she jokes, pointing to her nachos piled high with sour cream and steak.
“Believe me, there is nothing healthy about corn covered in jalapeño ranch dressing and queso.” It takes everything in me not to tuck the stray lock of hair now floating on the wind and casting her scent behind her ear.
“I guess that’s true.” She giggles and then pops a salsa-covered chip in her mouth.
“It’s been a long time, Cassandra. Nice to see you.” My sister greets her warmly.
Alana never bases her opinion on anyone else’s, I love that about her, and she never did when it came to Butch either. If anything, Alana gave Butch more credence than anyone in this town.
Cassandra chews, clears her throat, and then smiles. “Nice to see you, too. Wow, it seems like everyone grew up here overnight, though I guess that’s what ten years away will do.”
“And what a ten years it’s been. LovedA Prairie Song, by the way. It’s in my top ten movies.”
“She’s not kidding. I think she saw it eight times in theaters.” I chuckle, trying hard to keep my hands away from Cassandra.
I’m like a live wire, attuned to her electricity, and all I want to do is soak it up.
“Not even ashamed of it, I wanted my own Kellan.” Alana sighs about the male character in the movie.
“He was pretty dreamy. Even I think I fell in love with Ricardo while he played that role,” Cassandra agrees.
“Oh,didyou?” There is an air of amusement laced with jealousy in my voice.
She cocks her head to the side and bites the corner of her bottom lip. “You always fall in love with your costars, at least a little bit. But it’s not the real thing.”
The way she looks at me, I think maybe this could be the real thing. But I’ve failed at it too many times to be confident we could go the distance. The fact I’m talking about going the distance this early should scare me, but I ignore every red flag. Even the one standing right next to me in the form of my sister. Not that she actively dislikes Cassandra’s family, but most of my family does.
“What’re you two doing?” Liam walks up as if his ears were ringing.
“Just waiting to get our corn and chatting.” Alana is trying to be a buffer, and my sister is smarter than I give her credit for.
“Okay …” Liam’s eyes dart to Cassandra as if she’s a pariah we shouldn’t associate with.
“Liam, you remember Cassandra?” I say, sticking it to my brother.
I shouldn’t have this pissing contest here, but the more time I spend with her, the more annoyed I get with every resident of Hope Crest for casting her out. Especially my own blood.
“Yes. Hi.” He’s cold, but at least he extends his hand for her to shake.
Cassandra shakes it with her free hand. “Nice to see you. You run the farm now, right? It looks really good, so much more lush than when I used to live here as a kid. I bought a jar of your sauce at the grocery store last week, it was delicious.”
My brother seems gobsmacked that a person he doesn’t know but has held negative assumptions about for years is giving him a compliment. “Uh, thanks. That marinara Chickie’s sells is our most popular.”
“I’ve been meaning to order from the restaurant, but ...” Cassandra trails off like she was about to admit to the three Ashton siblings that she’s not sure she’s welcome at their establishment.
“We’d love to have you.” Alana smiles reassuringly.
“We would?” Liam hitches a brow.
I elbow him in the ribs, and he coughs loudly while holding the spot.
“We would.” I tip my chin at her and smirk.
Our texts have been flirty and fun, but nothing serious yet. I’ve been meaning to ask her to hang out again, but I wanted to give her some space in case that was a one-time thing for her. And to see if this feeling would fade, which it hasn’t. If anything, it’s only intensified.
