Longing for You (Touched by Magic Book 1) by Kelli McCracken

before.
    Stop it.
    It was silence that interrupted her inner chastising. She’d expected Ally to answer Theo’s question since she was the one in a hurry, but her best friend stood there, gawking at him and Jonah. Guess her guilty conscious was catching up with her, which left Cassie to explain the situation, or rather, Ally’s version of the situation.
    “We’re actually waiting for a cab. Ally has to get up early tomorrow.”
    She shot her friend a you-owe-me-a-favor look then turned back to Theo. The way his lips uncurled from the smile they held said he was as disappointed as Jonah. And she couldn’t live with that.
    “Maybe we can get together whenever you guys come back to town.”
    She clamped her mouth shut when she realized what she’d said. All the effort Ally put into discouraging Jonah’s advances vanished with the comment. Maybe that’s why she was glaring. Cassie did her best to ignore her, but Ally would undoubtedly bring up the subject later, on the ride home.
    Theo didn’t seem to notice the hostility. He continued staring in her direction as he replied, “Oh, I’ll be here a couple weeks.”
    The huge grin on his face was contagious. It caused her cheeks to tighten in the same manner. She didn’t fight it—couldn’t fight it. He’d always had a way of making her laugh.
    When his smile finally receded, he stepped close enough that she smelled the crisp, cool scent of his skin. “Jonah’s leaving the week after next, but he’ll be back. Should we call you to set something up before he leaves?”
    Now was the time to backtrack what she’d said earlier so Ally wouldn’t murder her after they left. She had to appear uninterested…because she wasn’t interested…was she?”
    She pushed back the confusion filling her mind and responded with the best answer she could. “Why don’t you give me your number? I’ll check back with you.”
    “I hope so,” he answered, yet doubt blazed in his eyes as he waited for her to dig her cell out of her back pocket.
    Once she had her phone in her hand, she glanced up to his face, expecting to catch him gawking at her. Instead, he observed his brother and Ally as they spoke in softer voices. Whatever they were saying, she didn’t bother listening, not when she couldn’t stop staring at Theo.
    After a few seconds, he refaced her. A soft chuckle passed over his lips, and then he tilted his head toward Jonah and Ally. “Some things never change.”
    Cassie nodded. She studied her friend, as well as his brother, and then turned back to him. His gaze held her in place, just like it did when he first joined them.  
    “You’re right. Some things don’t.” She admired the development of his body before concentrating on his face. “Then again, some things do.”
    His face lit up and half a smile crooked his lips. Holy hell, he was gorgeous.
    Tempering the attraction that seemed to be forming, she focused on her phone and asked for his number. Each digit he rattled off appeared on her screen until a full phone number displayed.  
    Once it recorded under his name, she tucked her phone back into her pocket and stole a quick peek at his left hand. There was no sign of a ring, not even an indention where one might have been. That meant there was a good chance he was single. Unless he had a girlfriend…
    Does it really matter? It’s Theo McCabe. He isn’t even my type…
    The back door to Midnight Blues swung open again. Both she and Theo turned to see who had come outside when she noticed Mike. He scanned each face aimed in his direction but kept looking between her and Theo.
    Finally settling on her, he leaned against the door and said, “Your cab’s here.”
    “Thanks, Mike.”
    She winked at him, just like she normally did, but she couldn’t deny that the jealous vibes she sensed earlier had returned. First Jonah, now Theo… What was his problem tonight?
    Turning toward Ally, she tugged on her sleeve and motioned toward the door. “Come on.