Page 59 of Never Fall Again
It appeared to have no impact on Cassie. She lifted her chin. “He’s nice.”
He crossed his arms and went with the stern older brother approach. “He’s older than I am.”
“By two years.”
“Which makes him eight years older than you.”
“Which is hardly worth mentioning.”
Cal played his last card. “You know you’re always going to be a baby to me. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“I know, and I love that about you.” Cassie stretched onto her toes and kissed his cheek. “He’s nice, Cal. I...I like him a lot.”
Cal pulled her into a hug. “Okay. But if he hurts you—”
“He’ll have the entire Quinn clan out for blood. Don’t you think he already knows that?”
“I’m going to ask Gray about him.” Gray had hired Donovan a year earlier—which, though he would never admit it to Cassie, was a point in Donovan’s favor.
“Fine.” Cassie flashed a brilliant smile. “And I’m going to go introduce myself to that gorgeous blond over there who’s trying very hard to kill me with her eyes.”
Before Cal could stop her, Cassie jogged over to where Landry stood with Eliza. It took one glance to see that Cassie was right. But why would Landry have an issue with Cassie? Cassie was one of the sweetest people on earth.
Cassie spoke to Landry and extended her hand. Cal reached them in time to hear her say, “Landry and Eliza. I finally get to meet you. I’ve heard all about you from Abby, of course.” Cassie gave Abby a fist bump. “And Granny Quinn. And pretty much my entire family.”
Before Landry could reply, Chad gave Cassie a peck on the cheek. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the food, Cass.”
Cassie bent down and spoke in a loud whisper to the girls. “Cal’s coming to take credit for all my cooking. It’s a good thing he’s my favorite cousin, or I’d have to get mad.”
The girls laughed. Chad feigned offense. And Landry? Landry looked like she’d been burning at the stake and someone just doused her with water.
What had Cassie said?“That gorgeous blondover there who’s trying very hard to kill me with her eyes.”Was Landry...jealous?
Cal tried to act like his mind wasn’t swirling in a million directionsas he joined the group. “Please. I taught her everything she knows.”
Cassie shrieked in outrage before walking off in a pretend huff. “I’m out of here. I can’t stay where someone is trying to steal all my glory.” She blew kisses as she skirted around the crowds.
“Why didn’t she stay?” Abby’s shoulders slumped. “Cassie’s my favorite.”
Eliza nodded in agreement. “She was funny.”
“She also”—Cal made it a point to look at Chad and not Landry—“has a date.”
Naomi wrapped Chad’s arms around her and squeezed. “You two stay out of it. Cassie can date whomever she wants.”
“No, she can’t,” Chad and Cal said in unison, and Cal allowed himself to glance at Landry. A smile flirted with her lips.
“Protective much?” she asked.
“You have no idea.” Naomi pointed to Cal. “They’re all bad, but he’s the worst.”
“Hey!” Cal took a shift in the line as an opportunity to stand closer to Landry. “I was Team Naomi from day one. You’re supposed to be nice to me.” He turned to Landry. “I’m not saying Chad was going to mess it up, but if it wasn’t for me—”
“Lies.” Chad groused. “Don’t listen to him, girls. I’ll have you know I swept my Naomi off her feet, then I ran off with her heart before she had the chance to come to her senses.”
“Funny what old age does to a man’s mind.” Cal touched his head. “You start forgetting how your little brother saved your bacon.”
“And yet”—Chad tapped his own head—“you remember that your little brother nearly ruined your proposal.”