Page 68 of As the Rain Falls
Cassandra Rivera is so goddamn adorable.
It’s wildly unfair.
“I mean it, though.” I scratch the back of my neck, finally daring to ask the question I’ve been meaning to all along. “It’d be a huge favor if you could watch him when I’m not around.”
“Really?” Cassandra studies me, her gaze inquisitive. “Are you going on a trip?”
“No.” I shake my head. “But Pepé gets lonely and it’s the neighborly thing to do.”
Her face softens, fighting back a smile. “The neighborly thing to do?”
“Yeah.”
“Would he be sleeping at your place or at mine?”
“Depends on what you want. Whatever works for you. It’s just from time to time.”
“I wouldn’t mind having him over,” she admits. “My room is big enough and it gets lonely sometimes, but I need to check with my parents first, just in case.”
“That’s fine, really.” I bob my head quickly. “Thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it.” She grins at Pepé, who’s wiggling his tail enthusiastically. “He’s the cutest little thing.”
My eyes trace her delicate features, and that’s when I spot the faint bruise near her hairline. It’s small, almost unnoticeable at first glance, but it’s there. Right on her face, the edges fading to yellow and purple, like someone threw a punch at her.
“What’s that?” I ask before I can help myself, lower than I meant.
Cassandra doesn’t hear me. She leans down, completely unaware, and kisses Pepé‘s head again before sending me a curious glance. I clear my throat and try again, louder this time.
“What’s that?”
Her smile falters. I gesture to her face, not knowing how else to describe it.
“You’re bruised.”
She brushes the back of her fingers against her nose. “Really?”
“Yeah.” I nod, stepping closer. “It’s right here.”
“Where?”
“Here, let me show you.” I reach out, bringing one hand closer to her chin and tilting her head back towards the light. “Hold on, sweetheart. This doesn’t look good at all.”
Her hair shifts, wild strands falling to the side. I brush my thumb over the faint purple mark. She flinches away from my touch.
“Shit. Does it still hurt?”
Cassandra ignores my question and asks one of her own, sounding alarmed.
“Is it big? Is it bad?” Her tone grows more alarmed with each word. “Oh, God! I really thought it wasn’t noticeable.”
“It’s not unless you’re really looking,” I reassure her, checking to see if there are any other marks hidden underneath her hair. “I had to stare really hard to find it.”
“But you still saw it.”
“Yeah, I did.” I frown. “Who did this to you?”
“No one. I did it.” She pulls back, fixing her hair so that it’s framing her face again. “I hit my head against the bed frame. I just—I thought it wouldn’t become a bruise.”
