The Hunt by L. J. Smith Page B

calling the shots on this mission.”
    Nick raised his hand. “I second that.”
    Adam’s cheeks turned crimson, and Faye let out a begrudging sigh.
    Laurel picked up her notebook and pencil. “Okay then. Who has something to add to the list?”
    Adam lingered at Cassie’s front door, waiting for the others to leave her house with their individual assignments. He tilted his head at her and averted his eyes. “We should talk,” he said.
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œScarlett.”
    â€œIt seems like she’s all you want to talk about lately,” Cassie said.
    Adam’s coy look changed into something more serious. “I understand why you’re upset, Cassie. But I didn’t suggest we find Scarlett so I could ask her out to dinner.” He smiled. “You know that.”
    Cassie did know that, but she still resented Scarlett forthe stress she was putting on her and Adam’s relationship. And that resentment was transferring directly onto Adam.
    â€œThat’s all I wanted to say.” Adam leaned in and gave Cassie a stiff hug good-bye.
    Cassie accepted his hug with limp arms. In her mind, she knew Adam hadn’t done anything wrong, but her heart was proving to be more stubborn. Scarlett and the cord were all she could see when she looked at Adam now, all she could feel when he touched her. No matter how hard she tried to rationalize her jealousy away, it was there.
    After Adam left, Cassie did the only thing she could think of to distract herself from her love life: She started cleaning the kitchen. Her mother would be home soon, and it would be nice for her to return to a spotless house.
    As she was sweeping the kitchen floor, enjoying the trivial sense of control that came from defeating household dirt and grime, Nick climbed up from the basement.
    Cassie gripped her broom handle tightly. “Going somewhere?” she asked.
    Nick slipped the broom out of Cassie’s hands. “Not unless you’re volunteering yourself as an escort.”
    â€œI might be.” Cassie laughed. “But not until this floor is clean.”
    â€œIn that case, consider it done.” Nick put his headdown and began sweeping the floor with even strokes.
    Cassie watched him, admiring the way he could lose himself so effortlessly in a physical task. Rebuilding engines, wrenching pipes, chopping wood—brute force was where Nick excelled. Fixing things that were broken, or muscling a floor clean if that was all he could get. There was a rugged simplicity to him that Cassie envied.
    Nick stopped sweeping and rested both hands on the broom handle. “A penny for your thoughts,” he said.
    â€œI should be the one paying you if I start talking.”
    â€œTry me.” Nick grinned. “First session is free.”
    Cassie leaned against the kitchen counter. “Well, for starters, I’ve been having terrible nightmares.”
    â€œFrom the book, do you think?” Nick asked.
    â€œI guess. I’ve been having a lot of weird feelings since that book came into my life.” Cassie paused. “And things with Adam have gotten pretty messy.”
    Nick usually flinched every time Cassie said Adam’s name, but he didn’t this time. His mahogany eyes were still and clear and his face was calm. Cassie suddenly felt like she could tell Nick anything and he wouldn’t judge her. She took a step closer to him.
    â€œYou know the cord?” she asked. “The one between me and Adam?”
    â€œThe infamous silver cord. Do you even have to ask?”
    â€œWell, there’s another one just like it,” Cassie said. “Between Adam and Scarlett.”
    â€œHmm.” Nick set the broom aside and crossed his thick arms over his chest.
    â€œWhat do you think that means?” Cassie asked.
    â€œThe more important question is what do you think it means?” Nick’s voice was caring and warm.
    Cassie shook her head.