Longing for You (Touched by Magic Book 1) (29 page)

Only time would tell if he got a third.
 

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Someone once said that time healed all wounds. It was supposed to include a broken heart, but Cassie disagreed. Two months had passed since Theo laid his last track on his band’s album and departed for L.A. Yet the pain in her heart remained. It hadn’t dulled in the least.

If she knew how much it would hurt in the end, she may have done things differently. She wouldn’t have spent his last week in Savannah working behind a locked door and closed blinds. She’d been grateful to Tom for handling her clients that week. Now that Theo was gone, regret haunted her.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She glanced up from her coffee cup and met Ally’s gaze. Her best friend hadn’t left her spot on the end of the couch near Cassie’s feet since she’d parked her rear on the cushion twenty minutes prior.

Nodding slowly, she took a swig of her mocha. The rich fluid swished around in her mouth before she managed to swallow it. Her belly flopped.

Ally tucked the blanket underneath her feet then patted the tops. “I’m sorry I forced you to go out today, but you had to see the doctor. You’ve already missed a week at the studio.”

“You’re right. I just don’t want you catching this.”

As Ally swirled her cup in her hands, she feigned a smile. “You’re the only person I know who can go to Europe on a business trip and come back with the flu.”

“Yeah…I’m a magnet for misfortune.”

There was no humor in her laughter. She wanted to put up a good front for Ally, but whenever Theo came to mind, it made her chest tighten.

“Have you heard from him?”

Ally’s question caught her off guard. She stammered for a response then pressed her lips together and sighed. “He’s texted a few times, but with the three-hour time difference, I don’t see them until morning. It’s been cordial, a simple, hey how are you, just thinking about you, hope you’re doing good kinda stuff.”

“Jonah said he’s been busy. They’re together most of the time, and he’s still staying at Jonah’s house. I’m surprised he hasn’t called.”

“I’m not stressing over it anymore. I’ll just keep doing what I’ve always done—take care of myself.” When Ally tried to object, Cassie grasped her left hand. She moved it from side to side as the diamond ring sparkled in the light. “So Jonah made a trip here just to propose?”

Ally blushed. “Yeah. He and Theo flew into Miami for a meeting. Theo had a few interviews lined up, so Jonah made a quick trip to see me.”

Cassie examined the diamond, ignoring the way it made her heart kink. She was happy for Ally. She and Jonah were finally going to have the life they’d always deserved. People like Ally got the fairy tale.

“Do you promise to be my maid of honor?”

Nodding again, Cassie cast the other thoughts from her mind and smiled at her best friend. “Of course. Nothing will keep me away.”

“Not even Theo being the best man?”

“Nope.” She leaned back against the couch as her stomach lurched. “We’re still friends.”

“Okay. As long as you’re good with it, so am I.”

“You’re my best friend, Ally. I’d do anything for you.”

“I know.” Ally clasped her hand and patted the top with her other one. “Even if it meant getting your heart broken.”

“I didn’t know you knew about that.”

“Jonah told me a few days after he and Theo arrived in L.A. I appreciate the two of you trying to get Jonah and me together, even if it didn’t go the way you planned. I just hate that you got hurt in the process.”

She had no one to blame but herself. It was her decision to put things on hold. She blamed it on what happened with Cori, but in truth, she was afraid something far worse would happen one day and he’d leave her. The pain of that would be too much. The less she contacted him, the sooner he’d forget about her.

“Don’t worry about me, Ally. If the flu doesn’t kill me, I’ll survive.”

“Use the weekend to recuperate. I’m sure you’ll be ready to go back to work on Monday. Deal with the rest when you’re better.”

Cassie hoped as much. The last week at home had bored her to tears. Or maybe it was the thoughts she had of Theo that caused her to cry.

Ally set her cup atop the coaster on the coffee table then grabbed her purse and stood. “I’m going to head out. I have a few errands to run before dinner with my mom. I put your medicine by the kitchen sink. I’ll check on you in the morning, but call me if you need anything.”

“Enjoy your dinner. I’m sure your mom will love hearing about your engagement.”

She managed to laugh this time when Ally rolled her eyes. “If she’s smart, she’ll keep quiet and be happy with the fact that she’s invited. After the way she threatened you and Jonah…”

“Your mom apologized to Jonah and me a month after you left for school. Besides, it was a long time ago. Holding on to resentment won’t change the past. It only makes one bitter. Focus on your future. Shape your life into what you want it to be.”

“Sounds like good advice.” Ally clung to her purse then tilted her head to the side. “Are you sure you don’t want to follow it and give Theo another chance?”

“He’ll forget me in time.”

Ally parted her lips like she had a witty comeback but closed them when she bumped her knee against the coffee table. A pile of mail fell against the floor. She shook her head and kneeled between the couch and coffee table, picking up the envelopes she’d scattered.

“Good grief. I’m making a mess.”
 

Cassie tugged her shirt-sleeve. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll pick it up later.”

“I’ve almost collected every—”
 

As Ally grew quiet, Cassie nudged her. “What’s wrong?”

Ally set the envelopes she’d collected on the coffee table, except one. She extended her hand in Cassie’s direction. “Did you see this?”

Taking the letter from her friend, she examined the handwriting spread across the envelope. She ignored her address and looked at the sender’s. Her face prickled when she noticed Theo’s name. The address below was somewhere in L.A. Probably Jonah’s, but she didn’t ask.

“I haven’t read my mail in a while. That’s why it’s piled up. I do all my bills online. Most of what I get is junk anyway.” She peeked at the date stamped across the top. “He must have mailed this right after he got to California.”

Ally rose to her feet while gawking at the letter in Cassie’s hand. “Are you going to read it?”

“I don’t know. Maybe later. Right now, I just want to sleep.”

Nodding slowly, Ally turned toward the door. “Get some rest. You need it. Love you, babe.”

“Love you too.”

Once the door clicked closed, Cassie held the letter in both hands. She thumbed over Theo’s handwriting and struggled with the decision on whether to open it. Did it matter what he said? His words were two months old. A lot could change in two months.

When curiosity got the best of her, she slid her finger under the flap and loosened it. Doing so was masochistic, but it didn’t stop her.

As she unfolded the letter, she was surprised to see it wasn’t very long. He kept it short and simple, yet powerful enough to take her breath away.

No matter what you’re telling yourself, it’s not true. You’re it for me. Time and distance won’t change that. Nothing will. Not even if you don’t love me back.

The words did exactly what she feared. They doubled her regret. There was little she could do about it now. Theo was gone. He was doing what she knew he would do—taking his band to the top.

It wouldn’t be long until she was a memory. The fact that he hadn’t texted all week was proof that it was already happening. To think she had to face him at Ally and Jonah’s wedding made her second-guess her decision to be Ally’s maid of honor. Her luck, he’d show up to the wedding with a date.

And if he did, what was left of her heart would shatter.

* * *

The medicine bottle rattled as Cassie fumbled with the cap. Her stomach knotted from sharp pains radiating within. She needed to eat instead of drinking coffee this morning, but the one Ally ordered once they left the doctor’s office smelled too enticing to pass.

Why couldn’t she have some type of sinus infection? She’d much rather blow her nose and deal with congestion than feel weak and tired.

Once she pinched a pill between her fingers, she replaced the cap then set the bottle atop the coffee table. She didn’t have the energy to take it back to the kitchen. Feed a cold, starve the flu. That’s what everyone always said. No appetite meant no calories consumed and none to burn. At least she could sip water.

As she put the pill to her lips and grabbed her bottle of water, the doorbell chimed. Perhaps Ally had returned to check on her, or she’d forgotten something when she left earlier.

Pulling herself to her feet, she crept across the floor, noting the silhouette through the frosted glass on the door. Once she clasped the knob in her hand and drew the door open, she stared into the brightest blue eyes.

“Hey.”

She savored the sound of Theo’s voice before she found her own. “Hey…”
 

She couldn’t muster anything else. Instead, she moved aside and motioned him to enter. After he stepped through, she shut the door and made her way back to the living room. Her body grew weaker by the minute. She needed to sit before she collapsed.

“You look like you’ve been asleep. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No. I woke half an hour ago.” As she eased onto the couch, she curled her legs underneath her and spread the blanket over them. “What brings you to Savannah? I heard you were in Miami.”

“You heard right,” he chuckled. “Then Jonah came to see Ally, so I came to see you.”

“Ally was here earlier. She told me Jonah came in last night and proposed. I thought she said he left.”

Theo crept closer. He sat on the opposite side of the couch and faced her. “I asked her not to tell you I was here, to play it off however she needed. I wanted to surprise you.”

He’d accomplished his task, but she didn’t say as much. He knew. The spark in his eyes was clue enough. “I was with Jonah and Ally before I came here. She mentioned that she took you to the doctor. What’s wrong?”

“I went to Europe for a business meeting last week and managed to contract the flu. I have the worst luck.”

“Well, maybe not. I’m going to be in town for a few days. Why don’t you let me take care of you?”

Her stomach did a somersault. He couldn’t take care of her. His presence made her heart feel like a Faberge egg teetering on the edge of a shelf.

“I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline.”

“Why? I’m not worried about catching it. I’ve had my flu shot.”

God… She didn’t have the energy to argue about this.

Lowering her gaze to the cushion, the battle with her emotions was over. She was the loser. Tears formed as she cleared the lump from her throat and found her shaky voice. “I don’t want you spending a few days here. I just got used to the fact that you’re gone. If you stay, I’ll have to do it all over.”

Her tears broke through the dam her eyelids provided and rolled down her face. She was sick, tired, and emotionally drained. All she wanted was to be left alone.

He didn’t oblige her. He scooted closer and tucked his finger under her chin. “Cassie, look at me”—she did as he asked—“You’re the one that chose to call things off because of what happened with Cori.”

“I know,” she sobbed. “I did it because I was afraid something else would happen and you wouldn’t come back. You’re beyond talented, and you’re sexy as hell. You’re going to have so many women wanting you. It seemed unfair to make you choose one. In time, you’ll forget me.”

“
Never
.”

She sobbed harder. He wasn’t listening. She knew he wouldn’t. It’s why she didn’t want to discuss this. She’d been in the business long enough to hear all the stories. A guy could be with a girl for ten-plus years and still cave to temptation. What made him any different?

Perhaps it was his determination. God knows he was showing no signs of giving up. “Ally said you found my letter this morning. Did you read it?”

“Yes, but—”

“No buts. Just hear me out… Would you feel any differently about us if I could guarantee I’d always come back to Savannah?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know I’ll be gone from time to time with tours, interviews, and whatever, but all musicians have a permanent home. New Orleans never felt like home the way Savannah does.”

She wiped a few tears from her face and leaned her cheek against the back of the couch. “Are you considering moving back to Savannah?”

“Yeah, I am. This industry can only give me so much. It can’t give me a home or happiness. True happiness comes from family and friends. It comes from having someone to go home to, someone who can face the world with you no matter what is thrown your way.”

He eased his hand up to her cheek and wiped away the remaining tears. The heat of his fingers made her quiver. She’d thought about his touch every day since he’d left, but feeling it was so much better.

“Cassie, a person finds happiness when they feel complete. I never knew what that felt like until the night we spent together.”

“What are you saying, Theo?”

The weight of his gaze held her in place. She waited with bated breath for him to give her an answer. The anticipation of what it all meant had her heart racing like a swollen river desperate to escape the banks holding it prisoner.

Before her patience wore completely thin, he caressed her face once again. “I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, especially when it comes to you, but falling for you wasn’t one of them. If it takes me a lifetime, so be it, but one day, I’ll prove what I told you is true.”

“And what would that be?”

He leaned in closer. “That you belong to me, and I belong to you.”

Time stood still. She wasn’t expecting his response any more than she’d expected to see him, but here he was, still determined to convince her that they should be together. It was surreal.

“I convinced myself that you said those things just so I’d sleep with you.”

“You’re wrong.” His forehead rested against hers. Then he sighed. “I don’t know if I know what love is. I’ve never experienced it before, but if being in love means you get a crushing feeling in your chest when you’re away from someone or your shitty day gets better the instant you see them, then the answer is yes.” He eased back and touched her cheek. “I’m in love with you, Cassie. I think I always have been.”