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one who just moved to town, gave Sebastian her phone number.”
    Cassie shook her head. “Robin, you’ve got to stop eavesdropping.”
    “You’re right. I shouldn’t have been listening in on their conversation. So, I won’t make you an accomplice by telling you what else I overheard.” Robin started for the door.
    “Don’t you dare walk another step. What did you hear?” Cassie couldn’t resist.
    Robin sidled up next to Cassie. “They made plans to see a movie together.”
    “Oh.” Cassie dropped her arms to her sides. Disappointment ate through her. She bit her bottom in contemplation. Isn’t this what she wanted for Sebastian? For him to start dating again? For him to move on with his life? Loving him meant allowing him happiness. “He deserves to find someone.” The statement was more for herself than Robin.
    Robin’s features softened. “Well, then be happy for him. This may be his one. She’s a charmer.” She turned and left Cassie alone.
    Cassie peeked out the swinging doors into the shop. The place was hopping. Two rows of people were lined up at the counter and several tables were full. Cassie knew she should help. Rolling off her gloves, she ran her palms down her jeans, took a deep breath and pushed through the door.
    * * * *
    After a hectic morning, Cassie found refuge in her office. She was doing paperwork when Sebastian came in and sat down in the cushioned chair across from the desk. He sat there in silence, watching her, frowning. His gaze was shining. Her anger dissipated. “What’s wrong, Seb?”
    He shrugged a shoulder and lowered his gaze. When he looked back up, he seemed sad. “Still mad at me for what I did at your mom’s?”
    She pushed away the papers and dropped the pen back into the holder. “No, I’m not.” His mouth curved at one corner. “But what you did annoyed me.”
    “I get that, Cass. I’m sorry.”
    Any remaining hurt dissolved. Sincerity turned his eyes warm. She sat back in the leather swivel chair and rested her head against the top. “I hear you have a date.” Best they just threw it out there.
    His eyes widened. “Wow, that was fast. Robin?”
    She nodded.
    “Yes, tonight. Her name is Lila.”
    Her blood froze, yet she dared not let him see her discomfort. Planting a smile that she hoped belied her turmoil, she said, “Good for you, Seb.”
    His mouth opened, as if to say something, but shut. The tension crawled between them like invisible baby roaches.
    That was not what she wanted. “Do you need to tell me something?”
    His fingers threaded through his hair, his jaw tightened and his hesitation appeared in his body language. “No, nothing. But I do want to thank you. You’ve helped me realize I’ve been turning my wheels but getting nowhere.”
    She swallowed with difficulty. “I’m sorry, Seb. What I said last night at Mom’s, it wasn’t fair or true. I lashed out.”
    “An eye for an eye.”
    She stiffened. Is that what they’d become? Acting in revenge? Her stomach turned. “I–”
    “I–” They both started at the same time. His chuckle was tense. “You go ahead.”
    “No, you go,” Cassie offered.
    “I wanted to let you know that I’m leaving early.”
    “Really?” Sebastian never left early. She itched to ask why, but if he wanted her to know, he’d tell her. “Okay, Robin and I will be fine.” She knew her tone lacked in sincerity. She wondered if he’d catch it.
    “And we’re fine, too?”
    “We’re fine too.” As Cassie said the words, she knew they were untrue. Change had come between them. She could feel it in her bones. A wall formed. Could it be stopped?
     

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Cassie sat in the dim lit living room. She checked the wall clock. It was ten PM. She’d called Sebastian ten minutes ago–she shouldn’t have. He was probably out with Lila. Where else would he be? He’d been with the pert chick every other night this week.
    She heard the chime ring on the front door seconds before footsteps