Page 54 of The Perfect Melody

Needing to get out of my head, I decide to walk over to Wordplay to pick up a gift for my nephew. He’s an avid reader, and I enjoy having someone to spoil a little. It’s a nice day and I enjoy the feel of the sun warming my skin as I stride up the high street.

Phoebe gave the bookshop a makeover when she bought the place from Mrs Zeng, transforming the once dark, cramped space into something light and airy. Don’t get me wrong, the old look had its charm, but the updated layout is more customer friendly. I bet the shop gets more tourist traffic too now that it looks more inviting and less like a malevolent spirit might be haunting the tightly grouped bookshelves.

I’m scanning the children’s section when I hear Cassie’s voice.

“Austin?”So much for getting outside and not thinking about her.

“Cassie, hi. What are you doing here?” I aim for a casual smile, cringing inside at my stupid question.

Doing me the mercy of not pointing out the obvious reason for her presence in the bookshop—shopping—she replies, “I promised Phoebe I’d stop by and figured I may as well browse while I’m here.” Noticing I’m in the kid’s section, she cocks her head. “Who are you shopping for? Sorry, that was nosy. You don’t have to answer.”

The pretty blush on her cheeks makes a rumble of laughter resonate in my chest. “It’s fine. I’m getting a present for my nephew.” Just because Aria isn’t Toby’s biological mum doesn’t make him any less a part of our family now that she and Toby’s dad, Eric, are together.

Cassie perks up at that. “Toby, right?” Noting my surprise, she explains, “Your mum’s told me about him.”

Ah, that makes sense. She’s thrilled to have her first grandchild, and it’s no secret that she’d love to have another little one around to spoil. “Did she show you a hundred pictures?”

“No, she was very restrained.” At my raised brow, she folds, “OK, not really, but it was only around thirtyish.”

“Now that I believe. Her camera roll is overflowing with the photos she makes my sister send her.”

“I think it’s sweet.” She rocks back on her heels. “So, is it his birthday soon, or is this a ‘just because’ present?”

Shrugging, I reply, “I wanted to get him something for when I see him in the school holidays.”

“Will they be coming here to visit?”

“Yeah, they’ll spend a week here, and Mum and I are going to stay with them in Riverbend for a weekend as well.” I hesitate, then decide to test the waters. “What about you? Will you stay here all summer?”

“That’s what we agreed on.” Doubt creeps into her expression. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

“No, I just… Since we called it even after your performance, I wasn’t sure if you were still planning to stick around.”

“I am.”

“Good. That’s good.” I clear my throat. “The customers really like you.”

“Just the customers?”

Under different circumstances, the question might seem flirty, but there’s a vulnerability hidden in the depths of Cassie’s eyes that reveals more than I think she means to. A better man would take her attempt at teasing at face value, joke back, and move on. I’m not that man.

I can’t pinpoint when it happened, but Cassie means something to me now. It’s more than physical attraction, although that’s there too. I know frustratingly little about her, but what I do know is the sort of person she is. She’s kind, hardworking, ridiculously talented and not remotely big-headed about it, and she owns her mistakes. Despite my best efforts, I’m drawn to her. How could I not be?

“Cassie, I?—”

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Phoebe’s cheery voice makes Cassie jump, and a muscle in my jaw ticks with my irritation over the interruption. “If I don’t have what you need, I might be able to order it in.”

“Not yet,” I reply. My gaze slides back to Cassie. “I got distracted.”

Cassie’s expression shutters. “Sorry, I’ll let you get back to it.”

“That’s not?—”

“Phoebe, can I pay for this?” For the first time, I notice the paperback in her hands. I can’t see the title, but the pastel cover makes me think it might be a romance. Maybe it’ll provide some inspiration for another one of her love songs. MaybeIcould if I untangle my tongue long enough to tell her I’m interested.

“Sure,” Phoebe chirps. “Ooh good choice. This author is one of my favourites. There’s a next-gen series too, if you like this one.”

The two women walk off, chatting away before I can find a reasonable way to ask Cassie to stay. Great. Instead of telling her I’m interested, I made her feel completely unwanted.