Chapter Seven: Cassie

“I should get going. I need to get back to the store.” Cassie checked her watch. Was that the time? She hadn’t realized she’d been here for an hour and a half already. Time seemed to fly.

Because she was having a good time. With Byron. That little voice in her head reminded her.

“Can I walk you back?” Byron asked, pushing back his chair.

Cassie paused. His offer was tempting, but that’s what real couples did. “You don’t need to,” she said, shouldering her purse as she stood up.

“I’d like to,” he said.

She held his gaze and smiled. “You’re good at this.”

“At what?” Byron asked.

Cassie leaned forward and whispered, “Fake dating.”

Byron’s expression darkened for a moment, the humor leaving his eyes. But then he flashed another one of his winning smiles. A touch forced, but still charming. “Right. Fake dating.”

A pang of guilt pierced her heart. She’d upset him, although she didn’t know why. “But if you are walking my way, we could walk together. You must enjoy walking an awful lot to be so keen to trek across town with me all the time.”

He smothered a smile as he stood up. “I am walking your way. And while it’s certainly slower than flying, walking’s just fine.”

“Good.” She nodded.

“I’ll just get the check,” he said and approached the counter.

“I thought…” Then she nodded. “And I’ll get the next check.”

Byron’s smile widened as he pulled out a silver money clip holding a wad of notes. “Deal.”

Seeing him smile made her happy.

It was an odd thought to have. But it was true, nonetheless.

“Ah, our favorite customer. Did you have a nice lunch?” a tall woman asked from behind the counter.

“We did, thank you, Rosalie. Delicious as always.” Byron pulled apart the magnetic clip and slipped out a few notes. “Keep the change.”

“Thank you, Byron.” Rosalie put the notes in the cash register and then smiled at Cassie. “And you, Cassie. Will we be seeing you again?”

“Yes,” Cassie said firmly.

“Together?” Rosalie arched a questioning eyebrow.

“Yes, I think so.” On the spur of the moment, without really knowing why, Cassie threaded her arm through Byron’s. He stiffened and then relaxed as a frisson of electricity shot along Cassie’s arm.

If Byron felt it, too, he didn’t react.

Because they were not mates, she reminded herself. The sensation was probably just a static charge, or her magic on the fritz again.

“You make a good couple,” Rosalie said.

“Byron!” A small child came rushing around the counter, a mop of light, straw-colored hair bouncing on his head as he launched himself at Byron.

Byron slipped away from Cassie and held out his arms as the boy ran at him. “Robbie.”

“Robbie is Byron’s number one fan,” Rosalie explained. “Ever since Byron wrote a handbook on geology.”

“A handbook on geology?” Cassie turned an intrigued expression on her lunch date.

“That’s what I do,” Byron replied as he held Robbie in his arms. “I write handbooks.”

“You do?” Heat crept across Cassie’s cheeks. During their hour-and-a-half lunch date, she had not asked Byron what he did for a living, or even a hobby beyond flying. They had just…talked, and time had flown by. She had certainly enjoyed her time, but she felt like there was still so much they had to discuss about themselves.

“I do,” Byron confirmed, not meeting her gaze.

“Byron wrote the The Young Explorer’s Handbook, especially for me,” Robbie said with pride. “It says so in the front of the book.”

“I could not have written it without your help,” Byron replied. “I may be able to write instructional books, but that does not make me an expert in the fields I write about. Especially when it comes to adventuring outdoors. That’s not something I’m very experienced in at all.”

“Byron is very good with Robbie,” Rosalie said to Cassie. “He will make a wonderful father.”

“I’m sure he will,” Cassie replied with pursed lips. She had always found that a bit of a strange comment for people to make but looking at Byron’s smile as he laughed with Robbie, she could see it.

And that was why they were not mates. Because Cassie had decided many years ago that she would not make a good mother. Let alone a wonderful one. “Listen, Byron, why don’t you stay here with Robbie? I can walk back to the store on my own.” She began to walk backward toward the door.

“No.” Byron relinquished his hold on the young boy and Robbie slid to the ground. “I’m coming.” Then he told Robbie, “I’ll see you soon.” He hurried over to Cassie’s side as she waved to everyone.

“I have a new idea for a handbook,” Robbie called after them as they headed for the door.

“I can’t wait to hear it,” Byron called as he stepped out of the store.

“You write handbooks for a living?” Cassie asked as they strolled along the street in the warm afternoon sun.

“Yes.” Byron chuckled. “My mother was convinced I was meant for a literary career, hence being named after a great poet, I suppose. I did not want to disappoint her, but I am not imaginative enough for fiction. My prose is too dry for poetry. Though I found I had a gift for collating facts and making them more accessible.”

“So you wrote handbooks.” Cassie flashed him a smile. “Have you ever written any magical handbooks?”

“I have written a couple on potions. And a witch once asked me to help her write A Handbook for Young Witches.”

“You wrote that?” Cassie looked at him.

“Yes.” Byron nodded, a small grin curling his lips. “It was great fun. It made me wish I possessed even the most modest amount of magic.”

“I read that book,” Cassie confessed, her smile growing. “I think I must have read that back-to-back at least twenty times. It really helped me stop stumbling with my incantations.”

“Really?” Byron looked at her, surprise softening his features. “I’m glad it did.”

“Yes. Though I admit I wasn’t exactly a young witch when it came out.” She gave a half laugh. “I was struggling with my minor illusions, and then I was in the bookstore when it came out. There was a vast display filled with them and everyone was buying it. So I picked up a copy. I said it was for a friend’s daughter, but it was for me. I found that by going back to the beginning and focusing on the fundamentals, it helped me no end.”

“I’m flattered,” Byron replied hoarsely. “Truly.”

“You should be more than flattered,” Cassie told him. “That book changed many young witches’ lives.”

“I had no idea. I mean, I know it sold well.” Byron shrugged. “But as I was writing it, I was worried it might play out as a dull manual rather than an engaging handbook. Or even worse, that I had not managed to convey the ideas of magic and brewing very well, as I don’t really have much, well any, experience with those.”

“It was very engaging, don’t worry.” She looked over at Byron as they walked.

This revelation had told her more about Byron than words ever could. More than anything, it had taught her that this tall, broad-chested man beside her took incredible care with his work. And his interaction with Robbie showed he was committed to those he cared for.

He was a man who took his responsibilities seriously, even if he’d rather be soaring through unending skies.

He was a man who she could win the competition with.

“This is me.” She nodded as the sign for The Fickle Cauldron came into view.

“I didn’t realize your store got so busy,” Byron said as they walked toward the door.

“How did you—oh, shifter senses, right?”

Byron nodded.

“It’s not, to answer your question. We have a very specialized clientele.” She glanced sideways at him. “Are there many people in the store?”

“Yes. A handful,” Byron replied.

“Oh.” Cassie rushed forward, biting her lip as she caught a glimpse of one of the customers.

“Is everything all right?” Byron asked as he rushed after her.

“Yes.” She turned to face him. “Thank you, for lunch.”

“I thought I might come into the store and take a look at some of your magical marvels.”

“Another time.” Too late, the door opened and her eldest sister, Jade, stepped out.

“Cassie!” Jade, self-assured and confident, extended her hand toward Byron, who shook it politely. “And you must be Byron.”

“I am.” Byron shook Jade’s hand, a bemused smile on his face.

“I’m Jade, Cassie’s sister,” Jade said easily. “Good firm handshake.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to squeeze too hard,” Byron said, instantly loosening his hold on Jade’s hand.

“Not at all. I think there’s a lot you can tell from a handshake.” Jade smiled brightly, her blonde hair shimmering. Everything about Jade shimmered. It was as if she wore a permanent magical aura.

“Good to meet you, Jade.” Byron glanced at Cassie as if expecting her to speak. To say something.

“You and Cassie went for lunch. How was it?” Jade always was good at filling any gaps in conversation.

“We did, and we had a wonderful time,” Byron said. “Cassie was about to show me around her store.”

“I was?” Cassie’s voice took on a high-pitched tone.

“Oh, she has the most incredible items in here. It’s a real treasure trove,” Jade smiled radiantly. “I have never known anyone to have such a unique understanding of magical items. Why don’t you show Byron your wonderful store, Cassie?”

Cassie looked down at the ground and rocked back on her heels. If they went inside the store, Byron would meet the rest of her perfect family.

“Cassie.” Jade placed a gentle hand on her sister’s shoulder. “I think everyone would like to meet Byron.”

Cassie nodded. Jade was right. And what better way to make a fake date convincing than having them meet her entire family? “Okay.” She headed for the door.

As she reached the door, Byron darted around her. “Here. Let me.”

“Oh! Thanks, but I think I can manage the door.” Cassie gave him a confused look.

“Wow, Cassie, you seem to have found one of the last remaining gentlemen in town,” Jade said lightly as she followed them inside.

“Cassie!” Her mom stood near the counter talking to Sophie, who cast her an apologetic smile. “And this must be Byron.”

Cassie took a breath as she pushed down the feeling that her lunch date with Byron had been spoiled by the arrival of not one, but four members of her family. This wasn’t the quiet, easy setting she had been hoping for.

Her family rarely gathered in a pack of four unless it was a birthday or some other special occasion. Any minute now, she expected her father to walk through the door to complete the set.

“Is something wrong?” Cassie asked as she looked across all her sisters.

“No.” Her mom’s eyes darted from Byron to Cassie, and then to Jade. “Why should there be?”

“Because, except for Dad, you are all here,” Cassie said bluntly. “We normally only all get together for dinners.”

“We thought we’d just pop in to see….” Her mom snapped her mouth shut as Cassie arched an eyebrow at her.

“Um. Nice to meet you all,” Byron said, breaking the awkward silence that followed. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” His gaze lingered on Cassie, a warmth in his eyes that made her stomach flutter.

Jade caught the look and smiled. “Cassie, why don’t you show Byron around? We can come back later.”

“We can?” Beatrice slipped the mood ring off her finger and placed it on the red velvet pillow. “Oh my, I feel fantastic all of a sudden.”

“Maybe we should,” Neave agreed. “This mirror has just told me I should treat myself to a facial to help get rid of my wrinkles.” She put a hand to her forehead and then slid it down to the small lines around her mouth.

Jade chuckled. “I think Cassie is the only one among us who has the confidence to be surrounded by such treasures.”

“Agreed,” Neave said and glanced at the mirror reproachfully.

Beatrice laughed, easing the tension in the store. “Apparently, it believes I need a more flattering haircut. And more positivity in my life.”

“It told me I am too shiny,” Jade replied with a small laugh. “And I don’t think it meant my complexion.”

Beatrice giggled. “You always did have an inner glow.” She swept her hand through the air and a soft wind blew Jade’s hair back in a way that was reminiscent of a hair product ad.

“Well, I made the mistake of trying on those gorgeous earrings,” their mom said with a scowl at the pearl teardrop earrings.

“Oh dear,” Cassie said and went to her mom. “They don’t speak the truth.”

“Don’t they?” Her mom raised an eyebrow.

“No, they don’t,” Cassie soothed. “They tap into the negative voice in your head. And we all know that does not speak the truth.”

“Thank you, Cassie.” Her mom wrapped her arms around Cassie’s shoulders and hugged her. “You always know what to say.”

“So, I’m not a miserable old hag with buck teeth?” Neave asked.

“You tried them on, too?” Beatrice asked with a giggle that erupted into a laugh that infected everyone in the store. “It told me I would die a lonely, shriveled-up spinster. I had to put the mood ring on when it was blue. That ring is incredible. It left me feeling so Zen-like.”

“What you need is a nice cup of tea,” Cassie said.

“No,” her mom held up her hand. “We are going to leave you and Byron alone. We just came by to check…”

“Where Mom left her keys,” Jade cut in. “And your crystal ball has told us, so we’ll all go now that we got what we came for.” Jade ushered her mom and sisters toward the door despite their protests. “We’ll see you soon, Byron.”

“I should get going, too.” Sophie grabbed her coat and purse from behind the counter. “Call me,” she whispered to Cassie as she gave her a brief hug and then headed out of the door and closed it behind her.

Leaving Cassie alone with Byron in an awkward silence.

“They remind me of my sisters,” Byron said easily as he went to the crystal ball and trailed his fingers over it. “Ah, so that’s where I left it.”

“What?” Cassie said as she stared at the scene before them.

“My ninth-grade math homework.” He flashed a grin at her. “Show me more. Show me everything.”

“Are you sure?” Cassie asked.

“I have never been surer of anything in my life,” Byron answered.

And neither had Cassie. She was falling for Byron. Falling hard. And fast.