Secrets Read Free Page A

with her premonitions and high sensitivity, but it did bog her down at times.
    It was one of those times, months ago, when she and Casey sat in a booth together at a fast-food restaurant and the wailing of a small boy about his food sent Michelle into a sobbing ball, that she’d told him her secret, her premonitions and sensitivities, known only by those close to her. When she’d shared it with Casey, he’d never blinked. He simply questioned about her experiences in great detail, trying to understand. His interest had warmed her heart and it had felt good to be forthright about her strangeness. A smile lifted her lips as she remembered his teasing about having to wear aluminum foil on his head around her.
    “Hey, gorgeous!”
    Michelle jumped, stiffened at the hand on her shoulder. It was Casey.
    “Whoa there. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” His eyes narrowed, searching her face. “Deep thoughts?”
    “I didn’t hear you coming.” Her private thoughts were just that, private. She shot him a smile. Heck how could she not? His face, a beautiful shade of brown framed by dark, short dreads, practically glowed with personality. “You’re stealthy.”
    His eyes shuttered for a just a moment. “You’re just distracted.”
    Though she felt his typical distance, kindness emanated from him. For a moment she allowed feelings for him to emerge, cautiously. “Well, hey, you know me. I get distracted easily.” It felt good to smile up at him and be met with a wink. His golden brown eyes glinted back at her. She imagined how nice it would be to have that in her daily life. She naturally relaxed around him. Though she’d always sensed his reservations about sharing his private life. He was hiding something, but she never pushed him to explain and she’d never shared her dark secret about the rape.
    He gave her a look, then slid a muscled arm around her shoulder and tweaked a lock of her long blond hair. “I do know you. Now, shall we load this cat food into your Jeep so you can get back to work?”
    “I’m not going back to work, but yes, let’s get it done so we can both get out of the cold. Be sure and thank your parents for me. You do have parents, right? Weird I’ve never met them.”
    Casey smirked. “Of course I have parents. My mom’s a teacher and my dad’s a dentist.”
    She nodded, noting the lilt of love and pride emanating from him. “So you have a good relationship with them.”
    “Yeah, they’re all right.” Suddenly his brow knitted. “Wait, it’s only ten o’clock. Why aren’t you going back to work?”
    Michelle dropped her gaze and rubbed her toe against a crack in the sidewalk. Talking to Casey would relieve her anxiety, she knew from experience. But it wasn’t his concern.
    He lifted her chin to face his gaze. “C’mon. I won’t tell Sterling and Lacey you want to play hooky.”
    “They gave me the day off.” The touch of his hand made her skin warm. “I’ve got several things going on today, so they suggested I tie up ends.”
    Another smile unleashed. “Oh. I thought you might spend the day with me.” He rolled his shoulders, nervously, then slanted a smile her way. “Get you more settled in at your new house. Spend some time together.”
    Her heart clenched. His interest in her was subtle but she felt it. It had popped up before and she’d ignored it. Ignoring was getting harder. But she just wasn’t ready for more than friendship. Not yet. “Casey, I’m sorry. I can’t.”
    He bunched his hair in both hands and slanted a somber gaze at her. “What are we talking about here? We’re friends, Michelle. Can’t we spend time together?” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I know you have your reasons for needing space.”
    “And so do you,” she whispered.
    Casey flinched, as though she’d just sucker punched him. Conflicted feelings rose in him, unsettling her insides. They stood across from each other as seconds ticked by, traffic noise filling the space