Page 37 of It Just Feels Right

She lowers her voice and leans in. “I seriously have no fuckin’ clue. I went in and applied for one job, and they gave me another.”

She throws her hands up. “Cassie, I get health insurance, a big sign-on bonus, matching 401k, and a company car.”

I laugh in shock. “Are you kidding me? Brook, that’s amazing! I’m so proud of you.”

She nods. “I know, right? I’m pretty damn proud of myself.”

Chloe leans in. “I personally don’t know how you’ll do it. Walker is hot. Capital H O T.”

Brook fans herself, and I don’t even think she realizes she’s doing it. “Okay, enough about me. What about you? Why are you glowing?”

I instantly go on the defense. “Glowing? I’m not glowing. What are you talking about?”

Chloe leans in. “You’re definitely glowing.”

I guess the best defense is to go on offense. “So what happened the other night with you and Elias?”

She blushes. “Nothing. He’s leaving soon to go on tour to the Middle East.”

I grab on to Chloe’s hand. “Oh, Chloe. I’m so sorry. I see the way you two look at each other. That sucks. Maybe when he gets back…”

I let my voice trail off because she’s already shaking her head. “No, he said he’d probably be gone for two years. Maybe more.”

“Damn, that sucks. I’m sorry.”

She shrugs, trying to act as if it doesn’t bother her, but I can see that her heart is breaking. I look across the room at Elias, and he has the same forlorn look as Chloe. I have to believe that something will happen there.

Chloe brings me from my thoughts. “Uh-oh, the cops are here again. Are they going to need to break up another fight, Cassie?”

I can feel my whole body heat. I don’t even have to turn around to know that Baker has walked into the building. It’s like my body is on high alert when it comes to anything to do with him. Brook turns to the entrance. “Oh, it’s Baker.”

My mouth drops. “You know Baker?”

She looks at me as if I have three heads. “Uh, he is our stepbrother.”

Chloe gives me a knowing look. “Yeah, Cassie, he is your stepbrother.”

As he gets closer, Brook opens her arms. “Hey, big brother.”

I watch them hug, and it kills me. I know it’s innocent, but I still don’t like it.

When they pull apart, Baker’s eyes meet mine. “Hey, Chloe.” His voice softens. “Hey, Cassie.”

I force a smile to my face. “Hey, Baker.”

Brook is unaware of anything happening and smacks Baker on the arm. “Guess what? I got the job!”

He holds his fist out for her to bump. “Awesome. I knew you would! Congratulations! So what does this job entail exactly?”

She pauses for effect. “I’m going to be Walker’s assistant.”

“Wow! That’s pretty impressive. Good job, sis.”

I cringe when he calls her sis.

A man comes up, and Brook knows him. They talk for a second, and then she gets up. “I’m going to dance. I’ll be back.”

She disappears in the crowd, and I look at Chloe. She holds her hands up. “I uh, need to go to the bathroom.”

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