Page 25 of Secret
CHAPTER TWELVE
Kasey smiled over at Faith as they drove to pick up Noam. "So are you going to sign up for that art class you wanted to take?"
Faith shrugged. "I might. I'm still not really sure I'm good enough."
"Isn't that the whole idea of taking a class? You hope to learn and get better?"
"Yeah, I guess. It's just hard, ya know? Sometimes I'm okay, but other times I get scared. I'm afraid I'm going to have a panic attack or something in public and everyone will laugh at me."
Kasey had no idea how to answer that. He glanced over at her. "You've been through a lot, Stripes. I think anyone would understand if you get scared every once in a while. I know it's hard, but you can't stop living. If you want to take the art class, you should." He almost offered to sign up with her just so she wouldn't be alone, but that wasn't what she needed, besides, he couldn't make a stick figure look like a stick figure. He had no artistic ability.
"So who is this guy we're picking up?" Faith asked.
"Just a friend I met at the gun range. He wanted to hang out, so I thought he might have fun going with us." Kasey hoped Faith wasn't upset he'd invited a stranger, but the truth was, he wanted someone there to help him through his first evening with Faith. Not that Noam knew anything more about teen girls than he did, but having him there made it seem easier.
"Boyfriend?"
"You know I don't date, Stripes."
"I know you aren't dating, but that doesn't mean you don't." Faith laughed.
"True, very true." Kasey stopped at the red light before looking over at Faith. "Truth is, I'd like to date him, but I'm not really sure what's going to happen. I'm happy to have him as just a friend if that's what he wants."
"Have you asked him?"
"Well, no."
"Why not?"
"We just met. We're still getting to know each other."
Faith rolled her eyes. "I thought that's why people dated. You date to get to know someone, and if you like them you get married."
Kasey needed to change the subject quickly. "What about you? Anyone you like?"
Faith shifted, and he noticed a blush coming over her cheeks. "Not really. Besides, Xander says I can't date until I'm forty. I know he's joking, but I don't think he'd like me dating anyone until high school."
Kasey laughed. He pitied the men who tried to date Faith. Xander was scary enough, but add in Matt's hacking skills, they'd know everything about a guy before Faith could ever accept an offer. "That's good. They love and want to protect you."
"But you're old enough to date, so I think you should." She grinned.
"Well, if things keep going good with Noam, maybe I will." He pulled up in front of Noam's house. "Now, no more dating talk with him around. We can talk about it more when we get home if you want." He prayed she wouldn't say anything. "Come on inside. I want you to meet Casper."
"Who's Casper?" She got out of the car but waited on the sidewalk for him to come around.
"You'll see." He led her up to the door, noticing how as they got closer to the house, she got closer to him until she was nearly curled against his side as he knocked on the door. Putting an arm gently around her shoulder, hoping it was okay, he smiled. "Noam's nice. I trust him. He's a police detective. If you don't like him or are uncomfortable at any time, we can go home, okay?"
She nodded. "Thanks, but I should be okay."
He'd talked to Matt a bit about what she could handle, making sure that going out in public and doing things wouldn't bother her. He was more than happy to sit home with her if that's what she wanted, but he really wanted to surprise her with what they were doing tonight.
The door opened, and Noam smiled as he stared at Faith, his eyes widening just slightly, not enough for Faith to catch, but Kasey did.
"Welcome, you must be Faith." Noam stepped aside. "I'm Noam, welcome to my home." He glanced up at Kasey.
"I wanted to introduce her to Casper." Kasey grinned.
"Oh, of course. Casper, come here," Noam called.
