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  Chase snorted. “That’s crazy. Like you wouldn’t go to her party. You love parties, of course you’d go.”

  I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow, before I dipped my spoon in the bowl and collected another spoonful of cookie dough.

  “Emma, you’re kidding, aren’t you?”

  “What makes you think I’m kidding?” I answered the bowl as I collected another chunk of dough. “Why would I go to a costume party just because Cassidy has invited me?”

  “Because you’re nice.”

  Nice? “What does that mean?” I glanced up and my gaze collided with his.

  For a moment he stared right at me. I couldn’t move while his eyes searched through mine behind the layers of hurt I had hidden beneath them. Slowly, he looked down and released me. I watched the corner of his mouth droop slightly and his brows furrow.

  I cleared my throat and quickly plopped another load of cookie dough onto his plate. “Here. I better give you this before you try and steal some more.”

  Chase looked over at it and grinned slightly. “Thanks.” He cut out another spoonful and licked it clean.

  After filling up the second cookie sheet without another word from him, I realized he must be contemplating something. But what? I carried the stones one at a time and set them in the oven, before starting the timer. Another couple of minutes saw the counter cleaned off and the dishes in the sink so I could clean them later. When I was done, I walked back over to the counter and leaned on it and watched Chase savor the last bite of cookie dough. I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Okay, so tell me what you’re thinking. You’re driving me crazy.”

  “I am?” he devilishly asked.

  I picked up the plate and took the empty spoon from his hand. “Yes!”

  As I was walking over to the sink, I got my answer and I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear it.

  Chapter 12

  “Stop, drop, and roll, baby. You are on fire.”

  “I’ve been thinking you should get to know Cassidy better.”

  What? I flipped around. “Cassidy?”

  “Yeah. Why not?”

  I walked up to the counter. “You want me to get to know Cassidy Hart better? Why?”

  “I think if you thought about it, you two would be really good friends.”

  “Me and Cassidy? Are you crazy? No way.”

  Chase had the audacity to smile, like he thought it was funny. “I think you two would get along great.”

  I tried to be reasonable. “Maybe, but there’s just something about her that gets on my nerves. She’s not rude or anything,” I quickly clarified. “She’s just—she’s, I don’t know. We’re just very different people that’s all.

  “Really?” He looked surprised. “I think you two are a lot alike.”

  I let out a short sharp laugh. “Whatever! You so can’t read people as well as you think you can if you think Cassidy and I are alike. I’m not sure if I should be offended by that or not.”

  “Why should you be offended? I meant it as a compliment.”

  I rolled my eyes instead of answering.

  “Come on, Em. You really don’t see the similarities?”

  I snorted and shook my head as I walked over to the sink and began to wash the dishes. Letting the hot soapy water fill up one side I glanced over and asked, “Just for curiosity’s sake I would like to hear one—just one—thing you think we have in common.” I held my hand to fend him off for a moment as another thought hit me.

  “Okay.” Chase walked around the counter and leaned his hip and elbow against the side closest to me. “You wanna know what you have in common, I’ll tell you.”

  I turned off the sink, leaned my hip against it facing him and folded my arms.

  I watched one corner of his mouth raise before he began. “Well, for starters you’re both blonde.”

  What? “That’s the best you can—”

  “And,” he interrupted. “You’re both really artistic.”

  “Artistic? What in the—?”

  “Okay. You may not think photography is an art, but I do. Just because Cassidy doesn’t use a paint brush to capture images, doesn’t mean it isn’t art.”

  “Okay, fine. You’re right. I forgot she was a photographer. But that’s not enou-”

  “That’s not enough? Okay then. You both love to throw parties.”

  I rolled my eyes. Good grief! I picked up the washcloth. Dipping the large bowl into the water I started to scrub.

  “Hey! I’m not done. You both have eccentric mothers. You both like the same movies. You both used to have a crush on my little brother Taylor—”

  “What? I did not!” I spun around, flinging soapy water with me.

  A couple of splats landed on Chase’s shirt. “Hey! Watch it.” He chuckled and stepped toward the end of the counter.

  “I have never had a crush on your little brother. As if!”

  “Really?” His smile was way too confident. Before I could even counteract Chase walked over to my mom’s address book, near the phone on the counter against the wall. He picked it up.

  Dang!

  He headed smugly towards me and flipped through the pages until he got to the very back. My face flamed up as he spoke, “Let’s see here. Hmm… right underneath business contacts. Yep, here it is. Small, I grant you but definitely legible:

  “Emma + Taylor = true love 4ever.”

  “Give that back!” I went to snatch it out of Chase’s hand but he was too quick for me.

  “No-no-no! Wait! There’s more.”

  “Chase Lionel Anderson!” I tried to fetch it again.

  He deftly dodged my hand and held the address book high above his head. “Oh-oh! You are embarrassed. Middle names even. Well two can play at that game Miss Emmalee Elaine Bradford. Oh. Or, wait! Should I say, Mrs. Emmalee Anderson?”

  Ugh! “You’re not even funny Chase!” I jumped up and tried to reach the stupid book but he was just way too tall. Besides it only made him laugh louder.

  “What? I thought you wanted to be called that? That’s what you wrote.”

  His blue eyes were so wide as they stared into mine, that I couldn’t help it. I grinned. “You’re horrible, you know that, right?”

  “Yeah, actually, I’ve been told that a few times.” His gaze twinkled a moment and I realized all at once how close I was to him.

  Hurriedly, I took a step back and then remembered the dishes in the sink. With my face still red, I went to work again, scrubbing—a bit too forcefully—the remaining utensils and measuring cups.

  Chase must’ve realized the game was over, because he walked over to the counter next to me and tossed the address book on it. “There. You can have it. I got my point across anyway.”

  He chuckled again and I decided to ignore him. “So you want me to tell you what else you and Cassidy have in common?”

  “Nah, I’m good.” I rinsed the utensils. After setting them on a dishtowel to dry, I turned toward Chase and asked, “You sure seemed to know a lot about Cassidy. Do you like her or something?”

  “Like her?” He laughed. “No! Well, not the way you’re thinking. I just worry about her, that’s all.”

  Worry about her? “Do you hang out at her house a lot?” Does he feel just as comfortable there as he does here? For some reason that thought bothered me.

  “No. Not a lot. But I am trying to get to know the familyTaylor hopes to be part of one day.”

  “Yes! I knew he was going to marry her.” I beamed, very proud of myself.

  “Ah! So I see you don’t have a crush on him anymore.”

  “What? No. Good grief. Like I would.” I giggled. “That was so two years ago. I’m way over Taylor Anderson, now.”

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

  Three days later and two days before the party there was a knock on my door. Stunned, I opened it and stared at a very uncomfortable Cassidy Hart on my front step. “Hi,” I gasped.

  She glanced behind me and then smiled slightly befor
e asking, “Can we talk? Do you mind if I come in?”

  “Oh! Uh, sure.” I stepped back and opened the door wider. “Come on in.”

  “Thanks.”

  She walked hesitantly into the house and I poked my head outside. No one else was there. “Is Claire coming?”

  “No.” I waited for her to say something else and after a moment of silence she added. “I-I walked here.”

  I was shocked. “You walked here? Are you kidding me? How far is that anyway?”

  “I dunno, like three miles or something.”

  What? And they let her walk that far alone? Cassidy must’ve been able to read my mind because in the next breath she answered, “It’s all I’m allowed to do by myself. Walk.”

  Wow! I was so surprised it took me a moment to realize that this was probably the most I had ever heard Cassidy speak in at least two years. Curious as to why she was there I quickly offered, “You want to talk in here?” I pointed toward the front room and then followed Cassidy in when she silently accepted. I waited until she chose a sofa before sitting across from her.

  She took a deep breath and then shakily smiled again. “You’re probably wondering why I’m here, aren’t you?”

  “The thought has crossed my mind.” I grinned to take the sting out of my words.

  “Well, it’s to apologize actually.”

  “Apologize?” Huh?

  “Here.” Cassidy leaned forward and pulled an envelope out of her pocket. “I guess I had got the house number wrong. This-this is for you.”

  I took the offered envelope and read: RETURN TO SENDER scrawled in bold letters across the front. My invitation! I did get one.

  Cassidy was quick to explain. “When that came in the mail afterschool I was sick to my stomach. I mean, I know it’s no big deal, really. It’s just a stupid party I’m throwing this weekend. And I know you will more than likely not want to come anyway—it’s just, it’s just—I didn’t want you to feel left out, you know? Especially when a lot of people you know will be there. Anyway, I had to walk straight here and give it to you. I know it’s last minute and all. But, you are welcome to come.”

  “Oh, thank you.” Unsure of what to do, I opened the invitation and pulled it out. “It looks like fun,” I offered.

  “Really?” It was the first genuine smile I had seen her have in years. “I’m kind of worried about it. My sister Chloe used to do these amazing parties every year with her friends. This is my first attempt so I am kind of nervous.”

  “Oh,” I said again, not sure what else to say. It wasn’t that I was speechless in Cassidy’s presence, I was just so thrown off by her candor it surprised me. So say something already! “So who’s all coming, do you know?”

  “From what it looks like, almost everyone I’ve invited.”

  Yes, but who have you invited? “You said people I know will be there?”

  “Oh, yeah. There will be.”

  Is she trying to drive me crazy? I tried another tactic. “I know Chase is going. And I heard earlier that Carson and his girlfriend were coming. Do you have anyone else older coming to the party, or is everyone else from school?”

  “Well, Ethan Franklin, Carson’s little brother said he might drive up from Albuquerque to come.”

  No way! “Really? Hmm… that would be nice. Do you know him well, then?”

  “Yeah, we’re friends.”

  I leaned forward. “So what’s he like? Is he funny? Is he as cool as everybody says?”

  “He seems pretty cool.”

  “Do you think he’s cute? I’ve heard people say he’s pretty hot. What do you think?”

  Cassidy looked away from me. “Yeah, I’ve heard people say that too.”

  “Yeah, but what do you think about him? I’ve never met him before, and I’m dying to know what he’s like.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “He definitely seems very nice and a lot of people like to hang around with him.”

  “Yeah, but, what does he look like?”

  “He looks nice.”

  Ugh! Now I remember why Cassidy gets on my nerves. Can the girl answer a question without sounding like a politician? For crying out loud, I get more response from Ginger’s puppies. I smiled sweetly. “Well, I guess I’ll have to see for myself when I come to the party.”

  Cassidy’s jaw dropped. “Y-you’re coming?”

  Uh, did I say that out loud? “Sure. You don’t want me to come?”

  “No—no! You’re definitely welcome. You’re more than welcome. I was just surprised; you didn’t even have a chance to really look at the invite.”

  What? “Oh, yeah, well, I’ve seen Hannah’s so I already knew all about it.”

  “Now I feel even worse,” she moaned.

  I chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal, really. I understand. Accidents happen.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled. There was a momentary pause, before Cassidy clapped her hands on her knees and said, “Well, I guess I should be heading home. I guess I’ll write your name on the RSVP list then?”

  Great. What have I got myself into? “Yep. Make sure I’m there.” I stood up when she did and then asked, “Do you need me to bring anything?”

  I think the question surprised her a bit because she glanced over at me and then positively beamed. “No. But, thank you for asking. That was really sweet of you.”

  Sheez! Someone else who thinks I’m a snob. Am I ever gonna break this reputation? “No problem.” I walked her to the door and added, “Just let me know if you change your mind and think of someway I can help.”

  “Thank you, I will.”

  I watched as Cassidy stepped out into the bright sunshine. “Do you need a ride? I can drive you home.”

  “No!” I was surprised by the vehemence in her voice, but she quickly softened it and explained. “I like to walk, really. As I said before, it’s my chance to be alone.”

  Heaven forbid I offer to take away someone’s alone time, especially their alone time from Claire. “Well, I hope you enjoy your walk then.”

  “Thanks. I will. Bye!”

  “Bye.”

  I watched Cassidy head down the driveway and marveled a bit at what her life must be like living in the Hart home. I had heard stories about her mom, but had never met her. Hmm… I wonder if she’ll be at the party? Who am I kidding? I wonder if Ethan will be there?!

  Chapter 13

  “Didn't I see you on the cover of Vogue?”

  Ethan didn’t come. It was the first thing I had heard when I walked into Cassidy’s house that weekend. Apparently he had an unexpected test he had to study for. From what I could tell, I wasn’t the only one eager to see him. Judging by the disappointed faces around me, it looked like quite a few people were expecting his cheerful face.

  Ugh. This party is going to be so stupid. Why did I even waste my time coming here, seriously? I tried to hide my own frustration, but I guess I didn’t do that good of a job when I heard Chase near my elbow say,

  “Hey, you don’t have to pout you know, Ethan will show up sooner or later.”

  I rolled my eyes and gritted through my teeth. “I wasn’t pouting. But thank you, Chase, for being such a gentleman and pointing out that you thought so. Nothing like telling a girl she looks funny.”

  “Hey! I never said anything about your looks. Which are, very nice by the way. Where did you find that costume? Did you rent it?”

  “You like my lounge singer dress, eh?” I twirled around to show off the whole ensemble. I mean, if the guy is giving away compliments he might as well be giving them to me.

  “Very pretty. You look like you’ve stepped out of a Bob Hope movie.”

  Bob Hope? Who’s that? “I-is that a good thing?”

  “Don’t tell me you have no idea who the great Bob Hope is?”

  “Okay, I won’t.”

  Exasperated, Chase sighed. “I practically grew up on Bob Hope movies. He was my grandpa’s favorite movie star and comedian.”

  “So
he’s funny, too?”

  Chase looked at me like I had come from another planet.

  “What? I’ve never heard of the guy. So sue me, okay?” I was saved from Chase’s answer when Hannah ran up.

  “Emma! You’re here! Wow! That dress makes you look like a million bucks!”

  “Thanks.” I smiled. “Yours looks great too. That brooch turned out perfect.”

  “Oh! Have you seen Cassidy’s costume?” Hannah gushed. “If you think ours looks good, just wait until you see hers!”

  Really?”

  “It looks amazing!”

  I glanced over at Chase to read his reaction. He nodded his head and agreed, “Yeah, she looks really good. I think she blows every costume I’ve seen out of the water.”

  “Oh. That’s cool.” I couldn’t quite put my finger on why Cassidy’s costume would bother me, but it did. That was until I saw it. Holy cow! I had never seen anything so authentic before. Chase was right. It totally blew mine and Hannah’s eighties knockoffs out of the water. Cassidy had a genuine nineteen forties antique dress. And it fit her like a glove. After a couple of shocked moments where I stood speechless watching her walk into the kitchen mingling with a couple of guests, I finally got up the courage to approach her.

  “Cassidy, I love your dress. Where did you get it?”

  She smiled and glanced down at the gown and then replied, “Thank you. It was my great-grandma’s.”

  “Y-your great grandma? Are you kidding? And you’re allowed to wear it.”

  She laughed. “It’s actually falling apart. Don’t look too closely, or you’ll see spots where the sequins and rhinestones are a bit bare. I’ve been patching it up for weeks getting it ready for tonight.”

  Weren’t you not supposed to wear antiques that were falling apart? I was clearly baffled. “But—?”

  Cassidy laughed again. “Don’t worry. I have a whole storage container full of my great grandma’s old dresses. She used to perform a lot, so she has a lot of cool clothes. This is by far the worst of the lot. You should’ve seen some of the other gowns she had.”