23

Cassie woke up to bright sunshine and her obnoxious alarm. Her clothes were folded neatly on a chair, along with her cell phone.

The light was blinking, indicating a text. As she opened up a note from Adam, her face flamed as she remembered last night's steamy events:

Your grandmother is home, safe and sound. We met on the stairs, and it was a bit weird. See you at school.
PS-Last night was amazing.

Despite appearances, Adam was all muscle and sinew, and strong as an ox. She'd memorized him from head to toe, especially his talented mouth and hands. He'd made her vibrate with passion, and sent her over the edge when he found her sweet spot. But in the end, she was the one who stopped it, saying it was too soon.

He nodded like he got it. "I know."

And she couldn't forget Diana. "She won't like it."

Adam sighed. "Probably not, but we both have to move on."

"I know, but she's my best friend. I don't like going behind her back."

He'd touched her face gently. "We'll tell her together."

That would only make it worse, and besides, there was another conversation that took priority. "I'll do it."

"Are you sure?"

Her only answer had been a nod as she settled against him, pointing out the constellations on her ceiling. "They move."

"I see that." Of course he did, he was her other half. And that's when Cassie became convinced that this destiny thing had merit.

Adam woke up to the sound of Karin on the phone. She was in the kitchen, but sound carried in their cramped quarters. When the word 'crystal' was uttered, it piqued his interest. He crept out into the hallway and heard the shower running. Karin had obviously figured no one would hear her; she'd figured wrong.

"Jane isn't improving, and I can't do this without the crystal."

Dad had told him crystals were bogus, but Adam had scoffed at that notion. Looked like he was right, and Ethan was the only one sold on Karin's brand of bullshit. He moved a few steps closer and avoided the creaky board near the threshold. She was sitting at the table, her blonde hair cascading down her back in waves. His mouth opened, for her profile was so much like Cassie's that it was startling, It was only when she turned with those smoldering dark eyes that the resemblance ended. She waved him in and pointed to the fresh pot of coffee. She clicked off her phone and said, "You make a lousy spy."

He snickered despite himself. "And you suck at hiding your tracks. That makes us even."

"If you say so." Karin stood up and stretched. "How did it go with Cassie and Jake?"

Adam bit into a freshly baked muffin. "Mmm, good," he said, enjoying the double entendre.

Karin smiled. "He's into her."

He took another bite. "So what?"

"And he's not giving up."

"Neither am I."

"And what about his hidden agenda? You know he has one," she reminded him.

"So do you." His Dad might be buying into Karin's version of truth, but Adam sure wasn't.

"This isn't about me."

That was so ridiculous that Adam laughed. "Yeah, right. Look, my Dad might think you're the second coming, but I'm not sold."

"Good. Then maybe you'll survive."

What the hell was she talking about? "That's hardly comforting."

She looked over her shoulder with those spooky eyes. "It's not meant to be."

Faye was running late for school, so when she ran out to her car, the last person she wanted to see was Jake. "What the hell are you doing here?"

He smiled. "I came to beg for forgiveness."

"Did you now?" Jake always had an ulterior motive, and it would take time she didn't have to figure out why he was here.

"I wasn't very nice on Halloween."

"No shit. So why are you really here?"

"To ask for your help."

She started laughing. "Not a chance."

"You're the only one they'll believe."

Faye couldn't believe what he was asking. "Oh my God, you want me to vouch for you? Are you insane?"

"Maybe, but you're my only hope. They won't listen to Cassie."

"What's in it for me?"

Jake flashed a sly smile, showing her his true colors. "The location of a crystal."

Faye cocked her head. "Do tell."

"It's nearer than you think."

God, she hated this cloak and dagger crap. "Where?"

He leaned in. "In your Mom's nightstand."

"Try again." Her murderous mother would never be dumb enough to stash it there.

"That's where it is. I'd bet my life on it."

"Talk is cheap, and I'm late for school."

"Just look there."

He stepped back and as her car drew abreast of him, Faye said, "Maybe I will, but I sure as hell don't trust you."

Jake put his hands to his chest like she'd stabbed him through the heart. "And why should you? But maybe after tonight, you'll have a change of heart."

Diana buried her head in her locker in hopes that everyone would go away. Those hopes were dashed when Adam showed up. "Are you OK?" he asked, touching her arm like he always used to.

She shrugged off his hand. "I've been better."

"That stuff you heard last night...take it with a grain of salt."

Was he kidding? "My Dad murdered Cassie's mother."

"But we don't have proof."

"You're right. And I'm done talking about this." Diana slammed her locker and put Adam behind her, both literally and figuratively.

Cassie's whole body felt like it was glowing, and she was sure everyone could see it. Adam Conant had branded her as his own, and she could feel it every time he scorched her with those cobalt eyes There was the slide of his hand at her waist in the lunch line, the trace of his finger on her palm in Chem, and a hip check as he passed her locker.

These little sneak peeks told her the main attraction would be epic, and it would be soon. So when she caught up with Diana after lunch, it was only fair to warn her that she and Adam were hooking up. "Hey," she said, standing a few feet away.

"Cassie." Diana barely acknowledged her, and looked at her feet rather than at Cassie.

"I'm not sure what to say, or what to believe."

"Neither am I." Diana raised her head, tears glittering in her eyes. "Is that what tonight's meeting is about?"

"In part."

"You mean there's more?"

"You could say that." Cassie moved a bit closer. "Is there somewhere we can talk?"

Diana stood woodenly by her locker. "It's here, or it's nowhere."

So it was going to be like that. "Adam and I are together."

"I know. He was all over you today."

Cassie thought they'd been discreet. "Look, I know this is difficult..."

"i doubt you know anything of the kind. Everything seems to fall into your lap."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it? You have all this power, and you've somehow managed to bewitch two of the best looking guys in town."

"It's not like that."

Diana's voice was bright with pain, and all Cassie wanted to do was hug her friend and banish her pain. "So tell me how it is, Cassie. Tell me how innocent you are, and that you can't help yourself."

There was actually truth to that, given the kick that destiny had given her in the pants. "I can, but I don't want to."

Diana was taken aback by this admission. "How can you stand there and say that and still call yourself my best friend?"

"That will never change, Diana."

"It already has, Cassie." Diana finished loading her books and looked at Cassie in resignation. "I have nothing more to say to you."