Page 95 of A Little Twist

The air is heavy, and dark clouds have rolled in from the coast. It happens during the summer after hot days, and I taste rain on my tongue.

From a block away, a lively crowd is going at El Rio, but I’m not interested in any of it. I have one thing on my mind.

I quickly enter the code and pull open the glass door leading to the small foyer outside the Star Parlor. Heat burns in my veins as I jog up the narrow staircase.

Almost a week has passed since I touched her, and seeing her tonight in that dress with the setting sun casting a halo on her skin as she held my daughter in her lap…

It took all my strength to hold back.

Pausing on the landing at the top of the stairs, I take a deep breath to calm my surging need. I can’t meet her at the door acting like a caveman.

In a swirl, the door opens, and Cass lets out a little scream.

“I’m sorry!” Reaching out, I hold her upper arms so she doesn’t fall, and her scent of lavender and fresh soap surrounds me.

“Alex?” She places her palm against her chest. “You nearly gave me a heart attack. What are you doing here?”

“I told you we needed to talk.” Releasing her smooth arms, I take a reluctant step back. “Were you going somewhere?”

“Piper just texted me. She and Adam are at El Rio.” She frowns, looking past me. “Would you like to go with me?”

No. I don’t want to go to El Rio. I want to take her inside and kiss her, tell her how much I miss her, and fuck her.

“Sure.” I smile. “I’ll have a nightcap.”

* * *

“Hey, bro!”Adam pulls me in for a brief hug. “Didn’t know you were joining us. Does this mean Jessica is finally acting like a mom?”

I don’t say no. I don’t want to badmouth Jessica. Instead, I shake my head and order a Modelo for me and a margarita for Cass.

He laughs off my nonresponse. “I have to say, you two had us going. I honestly believed you were engaged.”

“We weren’t,” Cass answers too fast, and my jaw tightens.

Piper’s eyes are on me, and I know she’s reading me like a book. She runs theEureka Gazettefor a reason—she has a nose for news.

“Something to say, Alex?” Her question hangs in the air as our drinks appear.

My brother holds his glass aloft. “To Cass!”

Piper raises her glass, and Cass appears self-conscious. “Guys! Stop it.”

“Don’t be shy. It’s a big accomplishment.” Adam holds her arm, lifting her glass.

I raise my bottle. “I’m out of the loop. What are we toasting?”

“Your ex-fiancée is officially a college student,” Piper explains. “She got her admission letter this week.”

My stomach sinks. “You’re going to college?”

“Mrs. Priddy is retiring at the end of the year, and the school needs a kindergarten teacher. So I applied.” Her tone is apologetic, and I feel like an ass.

Forcing a smile, I clasp her elbow. “That’s wonderful. You’ll be an amazing teacher.”

“Not in time for Pinky, but that might be for the best.” Adam laughs.

Piper is still watching me like a hawk. “You didn’t know?”

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