Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

changed his mind. “Thanks
for the jacket. I need to head in. I’ll see you tomorrow?” She
unhappily shrugged out of his jacket and handed it back. He didn’t
put it on again, but folded it over his arm.
    “Sure,” he said, not looking at her. He
didn’t sound thrilled.
    And guess what, Krista didn’t care. It was
one more day with him. She’d take it however she could get it!
     
    ~*~*~*~
     
    Sean got home and headed for the couch
immediately, beer in hand. He’d struck out with the account, but
he’d known it would go that way. He’d basically struck out with
Krista, as well. He couldn’t even talk to her. He couldn’t find a
normal thing to say. She’d outgrown him in life. She was reaching
for the stars and he was still trying to piece things together.
Cassie had been right. He regretted letting her go. Now, as she was
right in front of him but out of reach, he had to admit it.
    “What’s up big bro?” Cassie asked as she
walked into the room, settling herself into the recliner and
flicking on the TV.
    “I saw Krista today.”
    Cassie froze, half crouched, remote halfway
to the coffee table. She looked at him slowly. “What was that?”
    “She was on the team that assessed our work.
My work.”
    “How did it go?” Cassie sat down calmly, TV
forgotten.
    “She trampled me. She saw through every cover
up I tried to pull.”
    “I don’t care about that. Did she smile a
lot? Did she make conversation? How did she seem? Did she fidget?
Tell me the details.”
    “She seemed professional. She seemed like she
had a high-powered job and a boyfriend. ”
    “Boyfriend-schmoyfriend. Kate says she
doesn’t talk about him all that much. When she was with you, she
had to try not to talk about you.”
    “That was two years ago, Cassie. She’s been
with her guy for a year . For half of that time. The
honeymoon phase has worn off. There’s no use comparing. She
wouldn’t have stayed with him for a year if she didn’t like
him.”
    “Not always true. Sometimes it’s just easier
to stay with someone than to find someone new. It doesn’t mean she
isn’t holding out for something better if it came along and swept
her off her feet. Like before.”
    “Cassie, she’s moved on. Let it
go .”
    “Do you still have feelings for her?”
    “ No , Cassie,” Sean said, his voice
dripping sarcasm. “I suddenly decided I don’t like her, after
pining for her for two years, because she did her job and called my
bluff.”
    “Sean, stop being such a Nancy. You will be
kind and charming and listen— girls love when guys
listen—and-you-will-get-her-back! Do you hear me, Sean? You will
get her back! She was the best thing for you. She made you happier
than I have ever seen you in your life… ever. She was the
only girlfriend I have ever liked. We were friends instantly. She
was already family and I barely knew her. You were stupid to let
her go, and now you have a chance to fix it. So fix it !”
    “Cassie, I love you; but butt out.”
    “Sean, I love you—sometimes—but get her back
or I will make your life a living hell. I will find a guy that
treats me bad and—“
    Sean cut Cassie off with a look. She’d heard
about Jim. She’d heard what he did to Krista in the space of thirty
minutes in her room, and knew that it was nothing compared to what
he had done to her in the past. Joking about guys like that
was on the forbidden list.
    “Just FIX IT!” She yelled at him, flinging
the remote.
    Cassie was athletic—she had good aim. Turned
out that remotes, her aim, and her temper were a bad combo. Sean
now had a bump on his head and a headache to match his
heartache.
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    Krista arrived at Sean’s house at about a
quarter to six. She had trouble sleeping the night before, so she
was up and out early. She took the long way to check out the city
and reminisce, but there came a point where she was bursting with
anticipation.
    She off-and-on felt bad about her excitement
at seeing and