Page 69 of Since Always

I laugh. "Well, no, of course I don't mean me. I mean other mortal-type people."

"Oh, I see. Us mere mortals."

"So flawed, you all are."

She rolls her eyes. "Man, it must be exhausting dealing with all that perfection."

"Well, sure," I say, smiling. "But if anyone can handle it, I can."

She laughs again, and this time there is no awkwardness or timidness behind it.

"Hey, so guess what? My journalism professor gave me a guy's number who is starting a news website. He thinks I would be perfect for it. He was like...I don't know, really complimentary about my work."

"Well, I'm not surprised about that in the least. Are you going to call him?"

"Probably not, but, you know, it's cool that he thought I would be good enough for it."

"Well, of course he thought you would be good enough. And, look, I know my opinion means nothing, but for what it's worth, I think you should."

"I just can't. I don't want..."

"I know your reasoning. But I think you are wrong. About all of it. I think you should go for it. Do you want me to talk to Chris? I can explain things..."

She shakes her head. "No. I don't need you to fight my battles for me, Owen."

I smile. "No, I guess you don't. But I hope that you fight them for yourself. I want you to have a life full of passion. I want you to go after what you want with every bit of yourself."

"Everything I want?"

There is it again. We fall silent and watch each other, neither of us speaking. The rest of the world ceases to exist, and I let myself soak in the feel of having her in my arms.

Our lives will be filled with these small moments, I realize. We will sit next to one another at dinners, and dance with one another at functions, and with every smile and every glance we will remember what we almost were.

The song ends and I clear my throat and pull back from her. I lean forward to kiss her on the cheek.

"Be brave, Cassidy," I say, before I turn back towards her family. Somewhere in my gut, I know Jessica is watching even before I even look. When she meets my eyes, I see a coldness I have never seen from her before. And just like that, I know she knows.

CHAPTER 23

Cassidy

People keep trying to give me drinks, but I am determined not to get too drunk tonight.

Not after that call the other night.

Despite that, or maybe because of it, I am having an amazing time. Lexi showed up late, but with a beautiful dark haired girl on her arm. I'm sure I looked like a parkour runner as I hurdled several couches to get to them when I saw her.

"LEX."

"Whoa. Be careful in that dress—something's coming out if you aren't. You look beautiful, by the way." She kissed me on the cheek and introduced me to Samantha Hattis. "My girlfriend," she added with a smile.

"It's so nice to meet you," I said, wrapping Samantha in a tight hug. "I've heard a ton about you."

Both girls are now sitting with Becca, Max, and a few of my closest friends at a table right next to the dance floor. Several people are eating pieces of the cake that was wheeled out at midnight, just as my actual birthday began. A sweaty mob jumps to the EDM music now pumping across the rooftop.

"You look happy," Becca leans in to whisper to me. I know she is much drunker than me, and I love her letting loose. It's nice to see her not worrying about who is watching.

"I am. I really am. It's nice to have everyone I care about in one place together."

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