by Tara Randel
Did he dare pursue a relationship with her? Did he trust his instincts when it came to this woman? He’d been wrong before, not even thinking twice about getting involved with Tracy, and look where it had landed him. Sure, he was older. But wiser? The jury was still out on that decision.
When she faced him, he inhaled sharply. He wanted...so much more than he could put into words. Maybe with Cassie.
“Would it really be so bad?” she asked, pushing her plate away. “Writing again?”
“Other than the fact I swore I’d never go there?”
“Sometimes life has a way of changing your perspective.”
“As I’m finding out.” He took a sip of the cold water, his fingers coming away wet from the condensation on the glass. “Any more progress on the songwriting front?”
Her face lit up, excitement fueled by her passion. After his songwriting career ended, the Klub had become everything to him, but had he ever exuded that much enthusiasm? Yes, his mission for troubled kids went soul deep, but if he were honest, he’d admit a creative part of him was still buried deep inside. He’d thought he’d let it die when his marriage fell apart, but found that now he wanted to resurrect the spark, even against his own reservations.
“I started another song when I went home the other night,” she went on to say. “The melody popped into my head on the drive home. I stopped on the side of the road to hum it into my phone recorder.” She fell back against the seat cushion. “That hasn’t happened in ages. When I started playing around with it, a story popped into my head, so I went with the vision.”
It nipped at him that she hadn’t included him in her newest burst of inspiration. Why, when he’d told everyone who would listen that he’d never write again?
“I’m still nervous about continuing on my own, even with the new burst of creativity.”
“I remember those days. How a melody would grab hold and not let go until I’d played it out. Turned it into more than a flash of an idea clamoring inside.”
“This songwriting opportunity. Think it’ll wake up something inside you?”
His gaze traveled from the deck to the beach beyond. “I’m not really sure.”
“Luke, you made a great impact with your lyrics and melodies. Your fans would love it if you treated us to your talent again.”
Maybe that was the problem. He’d let it die too easily. He’d said he wouldn’t try again, but maybe he was afraid it would be too easy to write again. Like he hadn’t lost the artistic spark that fueled the original music artists wanted to record and listeners wanted to buy. Could that be the reason he was so willing to help Cassie shake up her abilities? To test his theory?
“I guess whatever we come up with for the mayor’s special interest story will determine what the world gets from me in the future,” he said.
“I admire you for agreeing. You didn’t have to.”
“No, but Zoe would have hounded me.” He threw off his qualms. “Maybe it’s time.”
“To start again?”
He nodded.
“How about with me?” she asked, her voice small.
He froze. He’d thought about working with her. But the memory of their kisses stopped him. He’d been romantically involved with his last partner. He wasn’t sure he wanted to travel that same path with Cassie. He wanted something different with her.
“Forget I mentioned it,” she said, her actions jerky as she jumped up and began to clear the table. Dishes in hand, she scrambled past him until he stopped her by laying a hand on her arm. Their gazes met and he glimpsed the uncertainty there. He’d made her unsure of herself and hated it. He wanted the confident, joyous woman back.
He rose. With a slow motion, he lowered her arm until the plates settled on the table. Easing closer, he slid both hands over her cheeks. His thumbs brushed her lips, catching the soft sigh escaping there. A gull cried out in the distance. The breeze stirred up the salty ocean air. Static moments stretched between them before he lowered his head, brushing his hungry lips over hers.
Home. Kissing her was like coming home. Something he hadn’t allowed himself to dream about in a very long time. He’d shut that part of his yearnings away, thinking he’d never have another chance. That the Klub would be his only family. Until tonight. Until this woman.
The looming shadows surrounded them. He savored this stolen moment with Cassie, unsure if they’d share this special connection again.
As her arms circled his waist, his hands slipped into her hair. He slowly freed the neatly bound braid, silky strands running through his fingers. A hint of the berry scent he’d come to associate with Cassie escaped and mingled with the warm night. The kiss went deeper, turning his world upside down. His heart, so long still, beat in an erratic pace. All because Cassie walked into his life.
In the enormity of the situation, his hands trembled. Cassie, sensing a shift, broke the kiss and moved back, releasing him from her gentle embrace.
“What’s happening?” she whispered, her eyes glittering in the last of the setting sun.
“I’m not entirely sure, but I like it.”
She stepped back again, released an unsteady sigh. “I never intended this when I asked for your advice. I thought you’d kick-start my muse and we’d part ways. This thing between us is becoming rather...complicated.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
“Doesn’t it? I have a career I hope to return to. You have a job and run the Klub. And you haven’t told me if you’ve gotten over your ex yet, which is sort of a deal breaker between us.”
He couldn’t honestly admit he’d forgiven Tracy. But he didn’t think about her nearly as much, nor did the driving anger that once claimed every aspect of his life continue its stranglehold on him. Now spending time with Cassie surpassed those old emotions, replacing them with an anticipation to see what he’d do with his life when the sun rose every morning.
She must have taken his silence as confirmation that he hadn’t forgotten Tracy. Shaking her head, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Never mind. Let’s just get to work and forget this conversation ever happened.”
“No, I—”
His declaration died on his lips when the doorbell rang.
“That must be the kids.” Cassie pulled her hair into a ponytail and secured it with the band he’d unconsciously tossed onto the table. “I’ll clean up out here while you see them in.”
He watched her gather up the plates and carry them to the kitchen. A sense of emptiness slammed him. When Cassie went back to LA, is this how he’d feel? Missing her each day? Wondering where she was and what she was doing? After Tracy decimated their marriage, he’d decided he’d never let a woman have that much power over him again. But in a short period of time, Cassie was proving to be an exception to that rule.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE NIGHT SKY sparkled with stars. Stars Erin loved to make wishes on, even when they didn’t come true. Silly idea, really, but one she grasped with the hopes of a child.
“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” Erin said as she plopped down into a lawn chair next to Denny. After they’d worked for a while, he’d retreated to the far side of the deck, away from the rest of the group. “That’s usually my thing.”
“I’ve got some stuff on my mind.”
She should have brought a jacket tonight, not because of the temperature, which was warm. More to hide behind. “I’m here if you want to talk about it.”
“Right. Like you’re always so chatty about stuff bothering you.”
Score.
When Denny asked Erin to join the group going to Luke’s house, she wasn’t sure. Denny was always inviting her to come along to different activities. She usually held back, falling into the easy habit of hanging with Gary’s crowd, even though she’d rather be with Denny. So tonight
she’d given in, dressed up in a cute little dress and boots, let her long hair fall loosely around her shoulders, not that she wanted to impress him or anything, and tagged along. But boy, she missed the usually carefree Denny.
“I don’t really care for Mr. Sad and Dark.”
“Yeah, well, he’s here tonight.”
“You’re kinda scaring me.”
Denny blew out a breath. Pushed his glasses over his nose.
“Can’t be that bad,” she said, keeping her tone light.
“Mr. H. thinks I did something I didn’t do.”
“That narrows it down.”
“I’m not kidding, Erin.”
“Neither am I. What’s going on?”
He went silent again. Gazed over at the other kids having fun with Mr. H. and Cassie. They should be with the group, drinking soda and chowing down on chips, but from the moment they’d arrived, Denny had been distant.
Here she’d been, all excited, spraying perfume before leaving the house, trying not to notice how good Denny looked tonight in a dark shirt and jeans. More and more she wanted to be with him, which was risky. Having one foot in Denny’s world and the other with her semi-delinquent friends tugged at her lately, so when Denny called, she couldn’t wait to get together. She hadn’t expected this rotten mood, so unlike the guy who always tried to cheer her up.
Finally, Denny removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Mr. H. thinks I stole money from the Klub.”
For a second, she stopped breathing. Mr. H. suspected Denny? Oh, no, now what? How could she tell Denny it was her?
“You? No way.”
“Some money went missing. I was in charge of it.”
“What happened?”
He shifted in his chair to better face her. “Remember the food we sold at Cassie’s concert?”
“Yeah.”
“It didn’t add up.”
She tried to keep her tone even. “Oh, but why would Mr. H. blame you?”
“Looks like I lost some other change, too.”
“How do you lose change?”
“No clue. I swear I put it on his desk but when he checked, it was gone.”
“This is bad.” And she knew bad from experience. Thinking of the stolen money, she wanted to throw up. She made excuses in her head, like her parents wouldn’t give her an allowance or she had to prove herself to Gary. It was stupid and now came back to bite her.
“I’ve been trying to figure out who might have taken it,” Denny said, his voice low so the others wouldn’t hear. “But it’s hard to believe it even happened.” Defeat smothered the hope in his eyes.
“I, um, kinda know how it feels to disappoint an adult. I mean, you know, people you love.” She pulled at a snag in her tights. “My parents don’t really like me.”
“That’s crazy. How could anyone not like you?”
She tossed out a bitter laugh. “It’s the truth.”
He returned his glasses, tilted his head. “Why don’t they like you?”
“I turned out like my sister.”
“What did...? Wait, I remember. She got pregnant.”
Embarrassment made her jaw tense.
“But you’re not pregnant.” His eyes went wide. “Are you?”
“No! It’s just, she left and my parents take it out on me.”
“Sometimes adults stink.”
A surprised laugh escaped her. She glanced over at Mr. H. He and Cassie were strumming away at their guitars. Alan joined them while Kyle and Taylor came up with silly song ideas.
“Someone should tell Kyle he sounds like a cat who just got run over.” Erin grimaced after Kyle broke out in a song.
When Denny didn’t have a comeback, Erin knew things were bad.
“I bet Mr. H. really doesn’t think you took the money,” she told him quietly.
“How can you be sure?”
Battling her shyness with him, because really, why would he want her for a girlfriend? Her parents barely tolerated her. She spent time with kids who were not the best role models. Far from the kind of kids Denny was usually with. Face it, she was too much trouble.
Going for it, Erin reached over and linked Denny’s fingers in hers. “Just like me, deep down he knows you could never steal.”
Denny glanced down at their entwined hands and back again. Tightened the grip between them.
“So what do I do?”
“Prove him wrong.”
“I can try.” His forehead wrinkled as he thought. After a few moments, he glanced at her. “If you take your own advice.”
What? How had he turned the topic around? “We aren’t talking about me.”
“Maybe we should.”
She yanked her hand from his, embarrassed all over again. “Maybe you should just worry about yourself.”
“Erin, I like you. I just... I want you to be okay.”
She shook her hair. Let it fall over her face. “Leave it alone, Denny.”
“I don’t think I can.”
Just what she was afraid of. Denny always meant what he said, always did the right thing. As much as she wanted him in her life, she didn’t know whether to be happy or scared.
* * *
“TIME TO HEAD HOME,” Cassie announced after they’d been working for over an hour.
“Everyone have a ride?” Luke asked.
They all responded, except Erin. She stood aside, her face closed off. Cassie shut her case and walked toward the girl.
“Need a ride home?”
“I don’t want to bother you.”
“I don’t mind. It’ll give us a chance to talk.”
“Why would you want to talk to me?”
Because you’re hurting, she wanted to say, but knew better. Teen Angst 101. “It’ll be fun,” she said instead.
“Um, okay.”
Cassie didn’t miss the longing glance Erin sent Denny’s way. What was up with those two? Normally Denny was right in the action, but tonight he’d been quiet. She’d noticed them in conversation, away from the other teens. Obviously upset about something. Possibly the missing money. Denny was too conscientious to let it go.
Belongings gathered, Cassie followed the group to the front of the house. As the kids walked to the cars, she stopped on the front step. Faced Luke. Her stomach dipped at his shuttered gaze. He’d initiated the kiss, but was he regretting it now?
She cleared her throat. “Thanks for dinner.”
“I’m glad you came over. It put the kids at ease knowing you’re involved.”
An awkwardness stretched between them. There were so many things that needed to be said, but as Luke gazed at her, his dark eyes glittering in the porch light, her mind went blank. What was wrong with her? Why did this man always reduce her to bumbling? Spending more time with him hadn’t made her more comfortable. Just the opposite. Ever since that first kiss she found herself waiting for the next one, even though he clearly hadn’t gotten over his ex. She shook her head. Get it together, Cassie.
“So, um, call me when you set up the next meeting,” she said, stepping away.
“I will. Cassie...”
She stopped. Looked up at him. “Yes?”
“This thing isn’t over between us.”
A shiver of anticipation swept over her. A glorious shift of emotion and excitement. He could reduce her to tangled knots in seconds flat. And because of that power, he could never know his effect on her until they came to terms with where this relationship was headed.
For tonight, she’d leave him hanging. Give him a taste of the turmoil sizzling in her. Wanting more, which, despite his words to the contrary, he wasn’t ready to give. Right now she needed distance.
She nodded and strode away. Took in jerky breath
s of air before joining Erin.
“Sweet ride,” Erin said, admiring the convertible.
Cassie pulled her head into the present. “Thanks. I decided to splurge when I came to town. Rented the coolest car on the lot.”
A look of disgust crossed the teen’s face. “My mom drives a minivan.”
“We can’t all pull off this look,” Cassie said, hiding her smile as she placed her case on the backseat.
“Yeah. My mother would have a stroke if she had to drive a convertible.”
After the two buckled up, Cassie took off, following Erin’s directions to her street address.
“So, what do you think about this whole musical idea?” Cassie asked as the wind blew through her hair. Tonight the humidity was minimal, cooling her flushed face as she tried not to dwell on Luke’s parting words.
“It’s okay,” Erin called over the sound of the engine. “Usually I’m not in with the music crowd, but Denny asked me to come tonight.”
“He must have thought you’d have something to share.”
The teen shrugged. “I like choir, but mostly I sing in my bedroom.”
Cassie turned on the radio, scanned the stations until she came across a popular song. “It’s just the two of us. What do you say we belt this one out?”
Erin shot her a disbelieving look. “Are you serious?”
To verify her intentions, she started singing. Erin laughed, then joined in. By the time the last note faded, they’d harmonized like old friends.
“Erin, you have a beautiful voice.”
Erin slid down in her seat. Twined her hair around a finger. “It’s okay.”
“Better than okay. Trust me, I know.” As she issued the compliment, a thought hit her. “Why don’t I ask Luke to let you sing at the filming?”
“Me?” She dropped her hand into her lap. “I don’t know.”
“It’ll be fun.”
“Aren’t you going to lead?”
“No. This is about Cypress Pointe. I want Kids’ Klub in the spotlight.”