Page 60 of Whispers of Redemption

“Better and better,” she breathed against his lips.

“You can say that again,” he whispered back.

“I’m sorry about Ani,” she said.

He stepped back, the frown returning to his brow. “No, it’s okay. Besides, there’s something I need to do now. I’ll see you later.” And with that, he bounded down the steps and went to his car.

Cassie came back into the apartment and closed the door. She turned to face Ani, who seemed to have recovered completely and was now looking at her with a bemused expression.

“What?”

“You. And Wade.”

“What about us?”

Ani tipped her head and smirked. “You know.”

“Know what?”

Ani studied Cassie’s face for a moment, then rose. “You should go ahead and take that walk with him. I better get back home anyway. I don’t want to have to lose another two weeks of freedom for missing curfew or something.” She picked up her purse and stuffed the ball of used tissues into Cassie’s garbage on her way to the door.

“It’s too late. Wade said he has to do something now,” Cassie said. “And what exactly am I supposed to know?”

Ani was beside her now, hand on the doorknob.

“Cassie, for someone who is older and allegedly wiser than me, sometimes I’m shocked at how dense you can be.”

“What am I being dense about?

Ani’s dark eyes were serious as she faced her. “C’mon, Cass. It’s so obvious. You’re totally in love with Wade.” Then she stepped through the door.

Cassie heard it click softly behind Ani while she stood frozen in place, her mouth hanging open.

CHAPTER 23

One night later, Cassie sat with Wade on her loveseat, watching another Alfred Hitchcock movie. But she wasn’t focused on it. In truth, she was barely aware of the movie at all, feeling nervous and a little self-conscious. Ani’s words from the night before had rattled her. She’d said it out loud. The “L” word. The truth that Cassie had been afraid to admit even to herself. Was it really that obvious that she was in love with Wade? More importantly, did he feel the same way?

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