Page 59 of The Claiming

“Do you travel much?” I’m so interested in Siri’s life because she is always name dropping countries she has visited, and she nods, her mouth full of the delicious treat.

When she finishes, she sighs. “When your father is Russian and your mother English, it kind of goes with the territory. Every vacation is spent in a different country and if you ask me to pick my favorite, I couldn’t.”

She grins. “Ice cream and pasta in Italy, afternoon tea in London. Tulips in Amsterdam and paella in Spain.”

“It sounds amazing.”

I’m envious of her travels and she smiles. “Next time you should come with us. It’s Greece during the holidays. My family has connections there, and we are assured of a place to stay.”

“I would love that but–” I sigh. “My folks will want me there. I had a tough time getting my father to agree to me coming here and telling him I’m not coming home for the holidays isn’t an option.”

“What’s he like?” Siri smiles with interest and I laugh softly. “You met him outside the principal’s office. I’m guessing he’sa lot like your father from the looks of him. Fierce, rough, and takes no shit while hiding a soft center that only a select few gets to see.”

“It sounds just like home.”

My phone buzzes and I note the text coming through from Jack.

“They found Abigail. She’s in her room sleeping, by all accounts.”

“They found Abigail?” Siri sighs with relief. “Thank God. I wonder how she escaped.”

“I’m sure we’ll soon find out. The guys won’t let it rest until they discover her secret.”

I nod toward the store across the street.

“Shall we take a look in there? I’m short of a few clothes and could use a new outfit for tonight.”

“Ah, the first party after The Claiming. This should be interesting.”

I hide my excitement with nonchalance, but inside I’m filled with excited curiosity because now I’m officially Frankie’s girl and I wonder what that involves.

The kiss we shared earlier still burns on my lips and I’m impatient for more of them. It wasn’t enough, nowhere close to satisfying my hunger for that man and as we stand, a delicious shiver of expectation rocks me inside.

Siri says in a low voice, “At least I’ll have Jack. Of all the guys at Rockwell, he is the one who interests me the most.”

“Jack?” My throat dries as Siri declares her interest in my best friend and she nods, a dreamy expression on her face.

“He was so sweet last night. Considerate and worried, and it was adorable. I’m not used to guys like Jack and I, well–” She hesitates and I can kind of guess where this is going.

“You like him.” I add and she says with a worried frown.

“But he’s your friend, Cassie, and I don’t want to get in the way of that.”

My throat tightens as I shrug. “He’s my friend, and so are you. Why wouldn’t I be happy for you?”

“I don’t know. It’s just–”

“What?” I’m hating the direction this conversation is heading, and she falters, stuttering over her words.

“I, I mean, he, well, I guess it’s as if I’m treading on your toes and I wouldn’t go there at all if I thought you were, um, interested.”

“In Jack?” I force a loud laugh that doesn’t even convince me, let alone Siri.

“Jack is like family. I’m not going there, Siri, not in that way.”

“Oh, thank God.” She heaves a big sigh of relief. “I was hoping you’d say that. You see–” Her face burns as she whispers, “I am kind of interested and, well, he is kind of cute.”

“Then go for it. You have Frankie’s permission, after all.”

---