Page 1 of Unsure in Love

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CASS

“Why can’t I forget about you?”

My sigh resonated with irritation and longing as I stared at the image on my sketchpad. I was lost in thoughts of the past again and the drawing staring back at me was the result.

The picture wasn’t the contour line tattoo idea I was supposed to be working on for a client. Instead, it was of a face with strong angular lines, a beautiful face that haunted me…

Even if I wanted to forget the face, it was impossible. Damian Alvarez invaded my thoughts day and night. Obsidian-like eyes, a chiseled jawline, and lips that curved into a seductive smile flashed through my mind. I’d never met anyone like him—someone who caught and captured my attention the way he did.

Four months later, and I still couldn’t get him out of my system. One night with him was enough to get me addicted, and he left me with more than just erotic memories. I swallowed the panic that surfaced by just thinking about it.

I pushed all thoughts of Damian away when I caught a glimpse of wavy brown hair flying in the wind through my shop’s window. My sister approached, practically bouncing to the entrance. April was stuck on cloud nine after falling in love with Julian.

Lucy, my oldest sister, got married to Nic and April found the love of her life. Two out of five Bennet sisters abandoned the idea that men were no good—the idea our mother forced on us. Esmie Bennet did her best to brainwash her daughters against romantic relationships. Maybe she had good intentions, maybe she wanted to protect us because she’d gotten hurt. However, that didn’t make her any less crazy…

I seriously wondered if it was only Lucy and April who changed their minds about relationships. Since my night with Damian, I was... different. I didn’t want to analyze it because I was afraid of what I’d discovered about myself.

April pushed the door open, and I snapped my sketchpad closed, hiding the object of my obsession.

“Cass!” She hurried toward me, her bohemian-style dress swishing around her ankles. She was like a ray of sunshine or a huge walking bouquet. I eyed her floral print dress, and the pink rose tucked behind her left ear with amusement. My sister was quirky— utterly adorable. April grasped my shoulder and gave me air kisses.

I snorted but smiled. Seeing my sister happy made me happy. However, I never could resist teasing her mercilessly.

“My God, look at you.” My palms rested on her shoulders as I assessed her. “You’ve been on happy pills since Julian started tapping that ass.”

April gasped, her face turning bright pink. “The things that come out of your mouth sometimes.” She sighed and stepped out of my hold. “You sound like a teenager.”

Smirking, I shrugged. “But I’m right.”

She blushed harder. My sister found a man who understood her and loved her for who she was. I think I found a man who understood me too. Maybe he could even love me if given the chance.

Too bad what we had was a one-night fling. It hit me then what just crossed my mind. Love? I’d never thought much about that—never been one to dream about finding Prince Charming. What had Damian done to me? Thinking like that was a sure pathway to heartbreak.

But Lucy and April seem fine…

I pulled in a breath and told my subconscious to shut her trap. Lately, the part of me that was hidden deep in the shadows, that hopeful romantic woman, kept trying to surface. I usually came to my senses and told her to take a hike though. Relationships didn’t work out for everyone, and I wasn’t willing to risk it.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” April peered into my eyes.

Stepping away, I retreated around the counter to put distance between us. Her concern reminded me that ‌I was keeping secrets.

“Nothing.”

“Are you sure? You’ve been acting off for…” She frowned, and her eyes rolled around as she tried to come up with an accurate time frame for my unlike-Cass behavior. I knew precisely how long I’d been acting out of character.

Four months. And it had gotten worse in the last month.

“A while,” she finished.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I busied myself by flipping through my appointment book.

April dropped her handbag onto a nearby chair and leaned on the counter to study me with a smirk. “Four months ago, you followed me to Canada to get my boyfriend back. It was your idea to go through with a grand romantic gesture. You don’t do romance. Your behavior lately is shocking.”

“You were mopey. It annoyed me, so I had to do something about it.” As hard as I tried to project a cool facade, I knew there was a crack in it. I knew April detected it because her eyes narrowed to slits.

“Bullshit. Something went down between you and that guy, didn’t it? Nic’s friend. What’s his name again?”

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