Page 42 of The Perfect Melody

The journey that should take me under a minute stretches out to nearly five, but I finally make it to my room. It takes a couple of attempts, but eventually I get the door unlocked and stagger inside. My bed isright there. It’s so tempting to lie down and close my eyes, but as I told Reggie, I’ve done this before andI know I’ll feel even worse in the morning if I don’t eat and drink something now.

I rinse out the glass my toothbrush has been sitting in, then fill it to the brim and down the liquid in a few quick gulps. After refilling the glass, I set it on the doily covering my bedside table, then search for something sweet. I still have a few snacks left in my backpack, so I dig it out from the bottom of my wardrobe, pleased when I find a chocolate bar. The wrapper crinkles, then I’m biting into the sweet treat, moaning when the taste hits my tongue.Fuck me, that’s good.

Making quick work of the rest of the chocolate bar, I toss my bag back into the wardrobe, my shoes following suit. Knowing changing my clothes will finish me off, I go back into the bathroom to get ready for bed first. After doing the bare minimum—no way I’m bothering with my skincare routine tonight—I strip off my wet clothes, leaving them on the bathroom floor to deal with in the morning. All except Austin’s shirt. That, I keep with me even though my hair and the quick trip from Francis and Reggie’s car to the B&B’s porch have left it in a bit of a state. The back looks closer to navy than the light blue and dove-grey it was when Austin first put it on me. I really should leave it in the bathroom too, but it’s soft, and it smells like Austin. While I’m sure I’ll be appropriately ashamed of myself for it in the morning, tonight I’m not afraid to admit that I want to fall asleep with his comforting scent around me.

With one hand on the edge of the bed to help me balance, I tug on a soft pair of pyjama bottoms and a loose sweatshirt before burrowing beneath the covers. Austin’s shirt is balled up on top of the duvet like some kind of security blanket. I have the brief thought that I should drink some of the water in the glass beside me, but my eyes drift closed before I can do anything about it. I listen to the rain hammering against my window,letting the rhythm soothe me almost as much as the lingering scent of bergamot and cardamom.

Chapter Seventeen

Cassie

I’ve got you.Even after a full night of dreamless sleep, Austin’s words are stuck in my head like the hook of a song that won’t leave you alone. When people talk about three little words, they don’t meanthosethree, but maybe they should. I sigh. Clearly I’ve seen too many romcoms with people running towards each other and then kissing in the rain. Or maybe I’m still feeling foggy after last night—scratch that, I’m definitely a little worse for wear, butcome on.

I was already softening towards him after he gave me a ride, then last night he not only helped me through a panic attack but revealed he knows how because teenage him wanted to learn how to help his little sister. Then he only went and said words I’ve been longing to hear from someone, anyone, for years.I’ve got you.

I roll onto my front, letting my pillow muffle my groan of frustration. Honestly, how dare he—a man who supposedly doesn’t even want me working for him—say that to me? He had the audacity to stand over me in the rain, looking all big, and tall, and strong and…wet. Distractingly so. Seriously, I was pretty out of it by that point, yet I still noticed the planes of his chest beneath the drenched cotton clinging to him like a second skin.Then he opened that infuriating, perfect mouth and saidI’ve got you. Romantic. As. Hell. Which is completely unfair, since I don’t think he has a clue what he did.

I feel like the father in a period drama who’s found out his daughter’s been compromised—mildly horrified and on the verge of demanding Austin take responsibility for his actions. Except… he didn’t actually do anything wrong. Proving there’s more to him than his gruff exterior doesn’t count, not even when this discovery puts my determination to stay clear of him in a precarious position. Unfortunately my shaky resolve is my problem, not his.

Sitting up in bed, I notice the blue flannel shirt laid on top of the covers. Something tickles at the edge of my memory.Oh, God.Did I sniff his shirt last night? Right in front of him? My cheeks and the tips of my ears grow hot as I frown at the item of clothing as though it’s somehow responsible. At least there’s no way Austin will know I slept with it like some kind of creeper.

Why did he have to be socaring? If he’d simply checked on me, even if he’d stayed until I was alright, that would have been one thing, but no. No, Austin had tohold melike I was precious, and listen to me,reallylisten. How am I supposed to act nonchalant around him after that? Snatching my phone off the bedside table, I video call Liam. He’ll help me figure out how to deal with this mess.

Several minutes later, I realise I was wrong, and my best friend is a dick. “Why are you laughing? This is not remotely funny.” I glare at Liam’s shaking shoulders through my phone screen, my eyes narrowing further as he wipes a tear from the corner of his eye.

“Oh, it is one hundred percent funny,” he wheezes, voice an octave higher than usual. He sobers slightly. “Well, not the you having a panic attack part—obviously. I’m sorry that happened. But the whole crush-induced spiral you’ve got going on rightnow?Veryfunny. The magazines are right, youarejust an ordinary girl,” Liam teases.

“I hate you. And I don’t have a crush.” Denial is a valid strategy. The more I tell myself I don’t care, the more I’ll believe it. Hopefully.

He blows me a kiss. “Relax. I know your romantic life up to this point was filled with some… less than great experiences.”

“You mean people who only wanted to date me because I was famous and hated that I’m not all red carpets and award shows all the time?”

He gives me a sympathetic look. “Yes, that. This is the first time someone you’re attracted to has given you a safe space to be vulnerable. Honestly, I’m not surprised that you’re freaking out. This is unfamiliar territory for you, but—and I say this with love—it doesn’t have to be a big deal.” He pauses as if waiting for me to object, but I’m willing to concede that hemighthave a point.

Ugh, I will never live this down. “Explain, please.”

“Instead of worrying about how you’re going to fake acting like nothing’s changed, talk to him. He obviously cares about you at least a little. You wanted your freedom, and now you’ve got it. The question is, are you going to be a coward or are you going to seize the opportunities available to you while you can?”

“He’s my boss. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Liam scoffs. “We both know that doesn’t matter. You only need that job because you’re not using your cards. Under normal circumstances, the power dynamics would be skewed in your favour, not his. Even if you did need this job for real, it’s a small town bar, not a major company. Not that I think he would—from what you’ve said he’s not that kind of guy—but the worst he could do is give you the shitty shifts or fire you. Big deal. Even if you weren’t, you know,you, it would be easy enough to get another job in town.”

“You’re making an irritating amount of sense.”

He grins. “I know. You deserve this, Cassie. To find someone you like, someone who’s good to you. You’re one of the bravest people I know, so don’t hide away the whole time you’re in Pine Grove. Be bold. Make friends, make mistakes, and make out with your hot boss if the opportunity presents itself.”

My lips twitch in amusement. “You and Bailey have been gossiping,” I accuse.

He shrugs. “Obviously. We want you to have fun for once. Show Pine Grove how awesome the real Cassie St. James is.”

I sigh. “Alright, fine. I will keep an open mind and consider talking to Austin about my…feelings.”

Liam snorts. “It’s not a dirty word, you know?”

“I know. I’m just not used to feeling so… exposed. Even having people following me around with cameras all the time wasn’t this scary.”

“Because that wasn’t real. What you’re starting to feel for Austin is.”