A/N - Thanks again for all the reviews, faves, and follows! It makes me so happy that people are enjoying this story.

Jacob closed his book and sighed. Apparently he wasn't going to be catching up on his reading that night, his mind was just too busy. He set the book down on the bedside table and finally gave in to the thoughts that he had been doing his best to avoid since they left the bar.

Cassandra had driven them to a nearby Super 8 where they were able to get two rooms for the night. Jake had been relieved at first that this time around they would each have their own room, but now that he was alone, he found himself missing the company.

He reminded himself that this was what he wanted. This entire trip was supposed to be a chance for him to get away from everything and everyone. He was supposed to be clearing his head, not finding new things to stress about.

But dammit if that redhead didn't get under his skin. Now every time he allowed himself a half second to think, the only thing that filled his mind was Cassandra. The way she smiled at him when she thought he wasn't looking, the way her entire body lit up with excitement at some of the simplest things, the way her hair smelled when he held her close earlier that evening…

This was not the kind of revelation Jake had in mind when he started this trip. Things were already so complicated between him and Cassandra, he didn't need to add this to the mix.

But Jake's mind drifted back to when they were dancing earlier, and a smile crossed his face. There was no way he could deny his feelings, and he wasn't so sure he wanted to. Despite the complex nature of their relationship, Jake couldn't remember the last time he was as happy as he was holding Cassandra in his arms that night. He wanted to feel that way again.

Jake sighed. He knew he was going to have to talk to her, he just wasn't sure how to go about bringing the subject up. He didn't want to make things more awkward than they already were when they still had eleven more hours of driving ahead of them. If she didn't feel the same way about him as he did her, the rest of their road trip would certainly be hell.

He knew he had insisted she go back to Portland once they arrived, but now he wasn't so sure. He didn't really want to go back on his word, not when he had been so adamant about sending her home. But if she did stick around, he didn't think it would be so bad.

Maybe if he brought up the subject near the end of the trip? If things got awkward, if Cassandra needed some time to think, then at least they wouldn't have to worry about spending the day driving together afterward. She could go back to Portland, and maybe when he got back they could talk about pursuing a relationship. If she didn't feel the same way, well that would certainly hurt. But Jake figured it was best to get his feelings out in the open.

It was getting late, and he still had another long day of driving ahead of him. Now that he had given his feelings some thought, Jake finally felt like he would be able to get some sleep. He switched off the bedside lamp and got comfortable, and before he knew what was happening he was dreaming about being on that dance floor, holding Cassandra again.

...

Cassandra rolled over and clicked on the small bedside lamp. Sleep would not be coming to her, not anytime soon. Her mind was full, still reeling from the events of that day. It hadn't been a bad day. Actually, aside from the first few moments that morning where it looked as though Jake had left her, the day had gone very well. He was beginning to open up to her more, to trust her even. And he had actually admitted to that fact. Jacob Stone trusted her.

He was making an effort to include her in the more private side of his life. They had had a great afternoon in Salt Lake City, visiting The Cathedral of the Madeleine. And Jake really did seem to be enjoying her company. But something had shifted after that, and she wasn't quite sure what.

Cassandra reached for her phone, pulling it off the charger, and started flipping through the pictures she had taken during the trip. She paused when the selfie she and Jake had taken came up, smiling at how happy and relaxed he looked. It had been awhile since she had seen him so carefree.

She flipped past that picture onto one of the shots Gregory had taken. It was a nice picture, and you could easily see the cathedral in the background, but Cassandra didn't like it quite as much as the selfie. Jake looked more tense this time around, and even though his mouth was curled in a smile, it didn't quite reach his eyes like it did in the selfie.

And then there had been that arm around her. What was that about? Not that she hadn't appreciated the contact, of course. Spell or no spell, she always did feel more stable knowing Jake had her back, but it was unexpected. As much time as she spent in his arms, he didn't normally grab her unless she was about to fall.

Cassandra did have one theory for his odd behaviour that afternoon, but she had dismissed it almost immediately. It was laughable, really, that Jacob Stone would be jealous of her. Jake had only just begun to trust her, after all. There was no way he felt that way about her. They were friends, nothing more.

But still…

Cassandra had some experience with jealousy. She was embarrassed by her behaviour back in Collins Falls, but something had come over her when she saw how well Jake and Mabel got along, it was like she had lost control of herself for awhile. Jake's attitude that afternoon reminded her of that. And although she had told herself at the time that there was no way it was jealousy, now she wasn't quite sure.

He was going to say something that night, back in the bar, and Cassandra was fairly sure she knew what it was. She certainly knew what she hoped it was.

She had been aware of her feelings for Jake already; but dancing with him, being held in his arms, Cassandra had realized just how intense her attraction was. Until now she had been able to push those feelings to the back of her mind. But after tonight, Cassandra wasn't so sure she would be able to do that anymore. And if she was right about what Jake was going to say to her, maybe she wouldn't have to?

But then there was that other little detail that had been eating away at the back of her mind for the past few days. And like her feelings for Jake, this other thing was getting harder to ignore, as well.

She was going to have to talk to him, even if it made things awkward. They still had one day left of their trip. One day, and then Jacob would be putting her through a magical portal and sending her back to Portland. Maybe if she brought it up towards the end of the day she could minimize the awkwardness. She could state her case, and then give Jake some space to think things over.

Feeling a little more comfortable now that she had a plan, Cassandra set her phone aside and turned the light off. There was nothing more she could do that night, the sooner she got to sleep the sooner the time to confront Jacob would come.