Page 48 of Catching Mr. Right

Apparently I was wrong, since one minute I was laying there enjoying the feel of his body underneath mine, the next I’m waking up alone in his bed.

Tucking the sheet under my armpits, I turn over and stare at the indent of where his head was on the pillow not that long ago. The sheets are still rumpled and warm beside me. I hold it to my nose, breathe in his spicy musk. The block of chocolate from the night before is on his pillow. The wrapper open, pen scrawled over the inside of the paper. Starting breakfast for the campers. Take your time. You don’t have to work today.

Cas who is always so grouchy and mean might be the sweetest guy I know. He might even be sweeter than Sam.

Climbing out of bed, I search out my clothes. The leotard from last night. The tutu. Not great choices for morning after wear. I’ve never had to do the walk of shame before, otherwise I would have prepared. I find a comb in the bathroom and brush out the snags in my hair as well as I can then smear toothpaste onto my finger and decide I’ll start carrying a toothbrush in my purse from now on. I smile at the stupid floral shower cap on my way out of the bathroom. I smile at my wings when I retrieve them from the dresser.

I smile because of Cas. What do I do about that?

Sam Sweets is meant to be mine, isn’t he? He’s falling for me. He told me he would be there when I was done with Cas. Sam’s a sure bet, even if he doesn’t know it. That’s the kind of man he is. The type who puts his family, his friends above everything else, including his own desires. Like he has with Summer’s decision to stay in Reverence and date two older men. Like he did when I was upset over my grandmother and he chose to comfort me. I’ll be happy with him. I’ll be loved and looked after. And isn’t that what I’ve wanted all along? Isn’t that the entire reason one falls in love?

It’s not just lightning attraction and such intense need that it feels like a storm in my soul. The way it does when I’m around Cas. He’s a wildcard. Cas could take my heart, shake it up, break it all in a breath. He could spin me around and leave me exactly where I started. Would he realize that’s how he affects me? Or is he too stuck in his past? He loved Juliette so hard that he hasn’t let anyone close to him since she died. If I fell for someone like that would I be able to recover if it ended? Would Cas devastate me and never even know that he did?

Looping the elastic of my wings over the bedpost, I take one last glance around Cas’s room before I shut the door and make my way toward the kitchen. Is the risk worth it? Do I really want to change my plans when I’m so close to getting what I want? I’ve worked too hard to just change my goals on a whim. Even if what I want isn’t as clear to me as it used to be.

I find him in the kitchen with Razer.

“That guy was asking about Soldier again when I was buying horse feed. He was pretty adamant about offering you a decent figure for him.”

“My damn horse isn’t for sale,” Cas grumbles. “Hell, I couldn’t sell him even if I wanted to, which I don’t.”

“That’s what I told the guy.” Raze shakes his head. “I’m just letting you know in case you maybe wanted to consider it.”

“I don’t,” Cas says, before he spots me. “Hey, Mandy.”

“Are you filling in for me?” I ask Razer as I stop at the coffeepot for fuel.

“I’ve got the blond hair to pull off being you.” He grins, scrambling eggs. “Don’t you think?”

“And the green eyes,” Cas says.

“Your eyes are way more gray than mine,” I tell Razer, before turning my attention fully to Cas. “And it’s pink hair.”

“You’d look pretty in pink, bud,” Cas says before grinning at me. “Don’t you think, Mandy?”

“Sure.” I sip my coffee.

“Probably look ridiculous in that tutu though,” Razer lifts an eyebrow at Cas. “Weren’t you wearing that last night, Mandy? Actually, I’m pretty sure you were.”

“What are you going to do with your day off?” Cas interrupts.

“I’m not sure.” Maybe sleep. “I’m supposed to catch up with Summer.”

“Oh, right.” His brows draw together, his smile falters. He’s probably wondering if that means I’ll be spending my day with Sam.

“We’re catching up with a friend. Ashleigh.” I put my cup in the sink. It’s awkward with Razer in the kitchen. I don’t know whether to move closer or further away from Cas, whether to kiss him or pretend we don’t get along that well. Razer is technically Cas’s boss. And after I banged my boss’s brains out last night it’s all kinds of odd.

“Say hello to her for me?” Claire says, joining us. “Weren’t you wearing that tutu last night?”

“Uh.” I glance at Cas. They must know what happened between us last night. With my hair still pink and tangled, and the stubble rash that’s left my cheeks sensitive and a little sore. The tutu’s just the icing on my cherry. His gaze lingers as it roams the hemline of the fluffy skirt, and makes me blush in places only he’s seen. “Yes, I just love it. Isn’t it the most gorgeous color?”

“It is.” Claire smiles. “I was hoping you could tell me where you got it. I want to see if I can get some for my nieces.”

“I bought it online, and I can’t remember the name of the shop off the top of my head. But I can message you the details when I get home.”

“That would be great.”

“Okay. Will do.” I open the kitchen door.

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