Page 30 of Phoenix

Chapter 8

Nora

I haven’t seen much of Case since our breakfast a couple of days ago. Apparently, work has been extra crazy, and honestly, I don’t want to know what that means.

I’ve just spent my time with Amelia and jotting my feelings down onto paper in my notebook. It’s been nice. It’s been exactly what I needed.

But now is the time to leave for our weekend in Atlanta with Grayson and Amelia, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.

Uninterrupted time with Case in a new place? This smells of an all-around bad idea for me, yet amazing at the same time.

I select a few outfits, a couple of things to sleep in, and some shoes, then shove them all into a small bag with my makeup and toiletries.

“All set?” Amelia asks from the doorway.

“Mmm hmm. I am.” I look around once. “I think.”

“Anything you forget, I’m sure we can find there, and it’s just a couple a nights.” She perches on the end of the bed. “I’m sorry I forgot to tell you Case was coming.”

I look her way and smile. “It’s okay. Really. I don’t know why you think it would be a problem.”

“Well, there’s all this...sexual tension with you two. I should have just warned you so you could bring your pretty panties.” She smirks.

“Uh, well, first of all, he won’t be seeing my panties, so that’s a moot point, and second of all...well...there is no second of all. He just won’t be seeing my panties.”

“Whatever you say, m’dear.” She stands up and kisses my cheek. “Case is one of the few good ones left, ya know? What are you so afraid of? A little fun?”

“I’m not scared of anything.”

“Liar.” She calls me on my bluff as she always does. “I’ll meet you downstairs. We have to drop Cadence with Grayson’s mom on the way out of town, so we are leaving in fifteen.”

“Okay. I’ll be down in a minute.”

She leaves the room and pulls my door closed.

I take a deep, cleansing breath before zipping my bag closed, pretty panties tucked in the bottom, because well...Who knows?

A few minutes later, I trudge down the stairs with my crossbody bag over my shoulder and my small duffel in hand.

I can hear Amelia and Grayson in the driveway. I can only assume they are loading things into the truck, but it’s the music coming from the living area that draws me in.

I place my bags by the door and follow the tune of some Ariana Grande song, and what I find melts my walls as if they were made of ice and Case was nothing but pure fire.

Case and Cadence, dancing together in the living room, singing a pop song I don’t even understand how he knows the words to.

He has her hand, spinning her around and around. She is all smiles and giggles. I knew she loved him immensely and he loved her, but seeing this...swoon.

“Nora!” I hear Cadence shout, effectively outing me for spying. “Come dance with us!”

“I think I like watching better,” I say, when Case meets my gaze from across the room.

“Nah, come on. Dance with us. You seem like the Ariana Grande type.” He grins.

“What is that type exactly?” I ask, crossing my arms.

“The type who likes to have a good time and not disappoint the five-year-old, who is giving you her best puppy dog face.”

I look down and sure enough, Cadence is poking that bottom lip out. “Pleeeeease,” she begs with a half-smile.

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