She gives my forearm a squeeze. “You two used to be close. Maybe you could be again.”
“I told him I’d think about it tonight.”
“Well, I think you should give him a chance. But it’s obviously up to you.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
She pecks me on the cheek. “Love you. Now go and put your bag and books upstairs and then you can help me with dinner.”
“Sure thing.”
I skip up the stairs with an extra spring in my step.
Whether to let Patrick back into my life or not is a big decision.
But I have a feeling I know what I have to do.
4
CASSIE
Bright light peeps through a gap in the curtain and penetrates my closed eyelids.
Patrick wants his answer today.
And I’ve already decided to say yes.
He effectively dumped me as a friend five years ago, but he was never one of the bullies. I wish he’d done more to stop it—I’ll be talking to him about that, but he seems genuine.
Our parents aren’t close, but I don’t think he’d risk upsetting mine or his.
It might be scary, but I want to take a chance.
“Cassie. Patrick is at the door.” Mum’s voice floats up the stairs.
“Give me a minute.”
I strip out of my pyjamas and pull on jeans before slipping on a bra and T-shirt. Nerves make my stomach flutter, and I take a deep breath.
As I make my way down the stairs, Mum’s voice still carries. It’s been a long time since Patrick was over at my place—I’m sure she hasn’t really spoken to him in years.
His eyes drift over to me, and he smiles.
“Hi,” he says.
Sweat glistens on his biceps, bare in the tank top he’s wearing. He runs—I’ve seen him. It’s hard not to stare. His smile widens.
“I’ll leave you two to it,” Mum says. “It’s good to see you, Patrick.”
“You too, Mrs Warren.”
Mum winks at me as she turns and heads toward the kitchen.
“I wondered if you were ready to go out with me tonight,” Patrick says.
I rub the back of my neck. “I’ve just woken up.”
His dimples pop when he grins. “You had all night. Please put me out of my misery.”
