Page 150 of A Winding Wave of Magic
“Take your time,” Caitlin told me as we exited the house to greet Jonathan. “I’ll run to the house for clean linens and food.”
She rubbed Jonathan’s shoulder as he approached. I lingered on the porch while we waited for Caitlin to leave, examining the overgrown yard, the clouds, and literally everything but Jonathan.
“Hi,” I mumbled once Caitlin was out of earshot. I didn’t know how far her range went, but I did my best to keep my thoughts blank anyway. “I thought you would be gone by now.”
“I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
We sank onto the porch step together, facing the ocean. He was dressed for travel again—out of the worn jeans and flannelshirt appropriate for chores, and back in neatly ironed pants and a pressed gingham shirt.
“Cass,” Jonathan said as he toyed with his watch.
I failed to ignore the pleasurable shiver that traveled up my back when he said my name.
“So, how’s the teacher’s pet?”
“Ready for her sentence. A week’s silent meditation, in which I am supposed to discover my mind.”
A snort emitted next to me. “Is that all?”
“I’m sure it’ll be a snap.” To demonstrate, I snapped my fingers.
“Well, you need to protect yourself, but how can you do it if you don’t know yourself, right?”
I narrowed my eyes. I had been hoping for an ally. “That’s just what Caitlin said.”
“She’s quick, that one.”
Like he couldn’t help himself, he tucked an errant lock of hair behind my ear and wasn’t quite able to hide the slight flush that rose to his cheeks. Mine blazed immediately, and he pulled back. He felt bad, but his touch indicated that he was finding it as difficult as I was to keep his attraction at bay. Even now.
“I suppose it’s just as well I’m leaving,” he said with a sigh.
And just like that, anger replaced attraction.
“Yes, you don’t have to deal with it anymore,” I said, standing up and walking out into the grass. “You’ll have all sorts of things to distract you from your babysitting.”
“Cass…”
I swatted at some overgrown grasses. “You had a laundry list, right? Instead of a silent house and your crazy thoughts, like me. And why would you bother with a witch who doesn’t even know her own mind? Not when you can go back to the girls in Rome, hm? I’m sure they can’t resist the siren song of a man like yourself.”
Jonathan stared at me, dumbfounded. I yanked a dried, seeded stalk from the ground and started picking at the hull.
“What are you talking about with this rubbish?” he demanded. “You sound ridiculous, do you know that?”
I did know that, but I continued despite my better instincts. “Sounds likeyou’reskating the issues. Is it just one girl waiting for you back there, or a whole gaggle?”
“Cassandra, do shut up. Honestly, I wouldn’t have thought you the jealous type.”
Jonathan got up and walked into the house. I threw the grass stalk into the yard and followed him inside.
“And you sound like a man who doesn’t want to be honest,” I called out. “Always hiding. Always pulling away. I knew how it would be from the beginning, and I’m sorry that I didn’t have the guts to say it. Get me settled, then kiss and run. At least it didn’t go any further. It’s fine.”
He turned just before reaching the porch. “Come here, if that’s what you think.”
“No.”
“Cassandra, dammit.” He reached out again, missing me by inches.
“What are you doing? I said no.”
