Page 18 of Unraveling Fate

“Porco cane,” she swore. So much for no one having seen. She killed the engine as Canon pulled open the driver door.

“Are you ok? What happened?”

“No, yeah.” She stood. “I’m fine. Just a lapse in concentration I guess.”

“No, you wanted something.” He narrowed his eyes, staring at her intently. “You wanted to let go of something.”

She blanched, and he shrugged. “I told you, I read what people want.”

“No,” she said, nostrils flaring. “You Google people and make them think you have some kind of psychic ability. Not the same thing.”

“No,” he echoed, hands on hips. “I told you the truth. It’s your choice whether you believe it or not. Are you sure you’re ok?”

She clutched the car door and nodded.

“Good. Because I need you to come to another campaign function with me. It’s in Sonora, at the Opera Hall downtown, so no long drive this time. And it’s casual, more of an open house.”

Cadenza blinked at the abrupt change of subject. “Why?”

“Candidates never bother campaigning in Tuolumne County,” he said. “I want the people here to know I’d be representing them too.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I mean why do you need me to go?”

He hesitated, running his hand through his hair.

“Canon,” she said. “You know we’re not dating, right?”

“Sure.” He lit up his smile. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t goona date, right? Besides, my cousin saw your ad for voice lessons and asked me about you. She’ll be there.”

“She asked you about me? Why didn’t she just call me?”

“You listed the location as Norroway Auto. She knows I work here, wanted an honest opinion. She’s had some pretty scary teachers before and didn’t want a repeat. I gave you a glowing recommendation of course.”

“Oh. Thanks.” She tilted her head at him. “I didn’t know you had family up here.”

He shrugged and crossed to the passenger door. “We’re not close. Drive us up, and I’ll tell you about the event.”

Cadenza sank into the driver’s seat. “Fine, but you know we’re not done discussing the whole ‘read people’s desires’ thing. How does that even work?”

He gave half a smile. “It’s a gift.”

“Well, who gave it to you?”

“Maybe if you come to my open house, I’ll tell you.” He winked.

“Is everything a deal to you?”

Canon shrugged. “Life is an exchange.”

Cadenza cruised the Ferrari through the gates, wondering what Canon really hoped to get out of his exchanges with her.

Restlessness pluckedat Cadenza’s legs. She’d come back to her apartment that afternoon after Canon insisted on buying her lunch to talk about the Opera Hall Open House—somehow, he kept getting dates out of her even as she insisted they weren’t dating—and had spent hours researching trip costs and possible jobs. She poured over her scribbled calculations as she paced the living room.

Income

Norroway Auto: $500 (commercial & races; paid up front)

Country Club: $528 ($22/hour X 3 hours X 8 nights)