Fool Me Once

e buffet table, her heart pounding. She tugged at her dress, the purple silky material hugging her figure in a way she

ently as he socialized with attendees. Panic surged through her system. She hadn't anticipated

d. She concentrated on her drink, trying to read the la

ce rang out, reas

ng to muster a smile am

e was barely audibl

ergy electrified and stifled her

round for someone else who woul

heart skipping a beat despite herself. "Don't

ctively but could not hide t

rt of her wished she could reach o

s voice genuine but teasi

arms once more-his touch was branded in her mind like fi

n't t

ith a fervor that weakened he

as if succumbing to the pull of gravity. He extended his hand to

ough her at the contact. Memories invaded unbidden: laughter shar

with a surge of mixed emotions-excitement and fear

om twirling couples and pealing laughter. The air was heavy with unspoken things, tension between th

below the surface, fury bubbled. "What is there to talk about?" she snarled, turning away as the memories threatened to overwhelm

p closer now, his gaze scouring hers. "I sc

ed to lie on her bed afternoons, talking futures and dreams as they whispered secrets to

ck. "You embarrassed me in front of

o remorse. "It was a foolish bet! A w

s spread like vultures around their table. She had watched shame cross his face as th

d anger. "You think saying it was stupid make

e caught himself, glancing around to ensure n

once talked of forever-how they'd planned a lifet

she asked, her guard faltering as

per lines in his face. "I wanted

lsing with the weight of their tangled past and unspok

lf up against the wall of the building, allowing laughter and clinking glasses to fade int

hem suppressed. His smile, the sparkle of deviltry in his eyes-had she ever stopped lov

beneath her breath, her v

ssie had phoned her after she'd left the gala, in need of an anchor amidst the emotional whirlwind. Lila h

ky breath. "I just

brows rose

ed, nibbling at her lip as she r

Lila crossed her arms and stood

st. complicated." She couldn't look at Lila, instead

lightly. "Complicated h

a loose pebble down the sidewalk. "Half of me wants to yell at

emplative gesture. "You had something special. But do you recall h

ding in that knowing gaze. "I thought we we

mes people are idiots-especially when they're young and stupid

e assertive woman she had grown to be was worlds away from that fl

rying to deal with warring emotions th

lacing her hand on Cassie's shoulder. "Don't l

. She immersed herself in work and friends, but during quiet moments, her mind wandered to

dflowers on the porch. A little card nestled in the

Cas

a little better. I'm sorry things

She crumpled the note in her hand, not knowing whether to wad it up a

lovely origami crane neatly folded and p

his one. It reminds me of

er its slender edges. Part of her wished to yell at him for playi

t night, she spotted the crane

a asked, looking at it

to explain the way she was feeling.

ning the paper art. "And ho

tone. "It's frustrating! He screwed up so badly, and yet her

ftly. "But are you also feeling s

er Lila's inquiry. "Perhaps. I just

Cassie's phone at that mo

been trying to improve ever since

stony beach-anger bubbled under confusion and questioning re

all. Cassie stood at the entrance, smoothing her dark blue gown. The lights

, tugging at her own dr

tured a smile.

fery in the distance. He was different; confidence emanated from him as he conversed with anothe

ssed between them. He stepped forward, shoving thro

aid, his voice

sed her arms defens

er, his eyes falling to her dres

. "Flattery won't get

oat. "I'm not flattering y

a moment of silence as each of them drew the other into the moo

he asked, nodding tow

a wave of her hand but couldn't prevent a small sm

voice dipping so she could

ldly out of control. Her guard down for a bri

can't

ut in, his voice low. "But

s. The atmosphere became thick between them as they were inches apart

loser as if testing the boundari

of sound and motion. There was nothing else in the world at that moment except him a