Chapter Twenty
Late afternoon, the next day
“I’ve read your contract, Cassie. Kevin is trying to diddle you out of merchandizing and his management fees seem high.” Emma slapped the contract on the new kitchen table and pulled out a chair to join Cassie where she pondered her list.
“I’ve contacted three other possible managers. Two men and one woman. All of them manage other artists I trust and come highly recommended.” Cassie studied her notes on each of the managers, scrawled during last night’s calls.
“You’ve decided on one.”
“Yes, I think so. They were all top-class, enthusiastic and okay with the plan I’d sketched out for the next two years.”
“You’re still leaving.” Emma’s lips drooped at the corners.
“Yes.” She didn’t tell Emma the rest of her plan. She would, but not until she finalized the details and set her plan in motion. No jinxes for her, thank you very much.
“What about Hone?”
Cassie frowned. “What about Hone?”
“You intend to walk away without regret.” Now Emma sounded disapproving.
“You were the one who informed me he wasn’t husband material. It sounds as if the boys are back with the barbecue.” Relieved at the interruption because she didn’t want to discuss Hone, even with her best friend, she jumped to her feet. “I have beers in the fridge. We deserve one.”
Emma followed her outside, and Cassie could literally feel her friend’s disapproval prodding her in the back. Of course she liked Hone. If she were honest, she was halfway in love with the man. Walking away would hurt, but she had to do the adult thing. She’d made a plan she could live with. She’d tell Hone about it first—before Emma. Give him a chance to tell her where she stood in his life.
“Where do you want the barbecue, Cassie?” Jack asked.
“You and Emma are going to be living here. You decide,” Cassie said.
“You’re leaving?” Hone’s sharp gaze, tinged with that weird red, speared right through her, but she couldn’t decipher his thoughts on the subject.
“Eventually,” she said, not ready to supply answers because she wasn’t certain of her future path yet. It depended on which manager she chose. While she had a clear favorite, she had a few more questions for each of them before she made a final decision. “Anyone want a beer? I’ve got steaks marinating, made garlic bread and the salads are ready.”
“I could go for a beer,” Hone said.
“I’d like to check out the swimming hole,” Emma added.
“Oh, good idea,” Cassie said. “Why don’t we do that after a beer? We can eat once we get back.”
Half an hour later, Cassie led the way, over a rickety style and down a narrow, overgrown track, populated with blackberry bushes.
“Ouch.” She paused to untangle a prickly branch from her sandal. Beads of blood formed on her foot.
Hone put his hand on her shoulder. “Let me go first. My hide is tougher than yours.”
“Not gonna argue. The track goes around to the left for a bit. We should be able to hear the creek soon.”
“I’ll bring the slasher next time,” Jack said from behind them. “It won’t take much to clear the track.”
Hone rounded the corner, pausing to hold back blackberry branches for her. It was better with him going first. Quicker too. He paused at the top of a rise.
“There,” she said, pointing. “It’s not a bad as I suspected. I remember a bigger pool, but I was a kid the last time I swam here.”
“We could make it bigger,” Jack said.
Emma scanned their surroundings with approval. “It’s nice and private with all the trees around.”
Cassie pulled a face and held up her right hand in a stop motion. “Emma, I know exactly where your mind has gone.”
