The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels by Dara Girard

hamstring. "I told you I'm not ready for a relationship."
    "So you did." He smiled sheepishly. "I guess I'm still hopeful."
    Before she could reply, the instructor spoke. "Okay, ladies and gentlemen, let's burn some fat!"
    Cassie soon regretted missing the last few workouts. The complicated new steps made her feel out of breath faster than usual, but she congratulated herself for coming. It helped her to put everything into perspective. Drake's presence in her life was like a blimp on a screen—quickly seen and quickly forgotten... No, she was wrong. She would never forget him. But he was gone now.
    She tried to think of ideas for her book, but the cheery voice of the instructor had her contemplating the benefits of homicide. Nobody's endorphins could make anyone this happy so early in the morning. She nearly collapsed with relief when it was over.
    Cassie grabbed her towel and wiped the sweat that soaked her chest. She felt like a baked chicken.
    "Today was a killer," Glen said, wiping his face with his T-shirt. Cassie glanced in appreciation at his firm stomach muscles.
    "So that's why I felt light-headed," Cassie teased. "I must have died."
    He laughed. "Perhaps."
    She tossed her towel over her shoulder and headed for the exit.
    "Are you free next Friday?" he asked.
    She narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
    "There's a poetry reading at Baden's bookstore, and I thought perhaps we could go. James Sheffield will be there."
    She loved the work of James Sheffield and going out with Glen was always pleasant. He would be a nice change to... "Sounds wonderful."
    He playfully tugged on her towel. "Good. I'll see you then."
    * * *
    She felt like dancing back to her room in spite of her exhaustion. Finally, she was back to men she could handle. Thank goodness Glen was different from Drake. He was safe, humble, gentle—although Drake had also been gentle, but that wasn't the point. Glen had seen her gain weight after her divorce and struggle through aerobics. He knew the real her and liked her anyway. He didn't play games or offer pitiful stories, although at times when he talked about his ex-wife she was sure she heard the sound of violins in the background.
    "It's about time!" Adriana said, pushing herself off the wall next to Cassie's apartment.
    Cassie frowned at her and opened the door. "What are you doing here?"
    "You know why I'm here. You're going to have lunch with Drake."
    "Make yourself at home, I'm taking a shower." She went into the bathroom and shut the door. Adriana was not going to persuade her to go to lunch with Drake. She had taken all night and this morning to put Drake into perspective. She would not have a man occupying her thoughts as Timothy once had. She quickly showered, then sat on the couch next to Adriana, who was flipping through a magazine. She turned on the TV.
    "Now, Cassie—"
    "Have you eaten?" she asked as a commercial for pancakes popped on the screen.
    Adriana sat forward, determined to win this argument. "Cassie, you're going to lunch."
    Cassie shook her head, her lopsided ponytail coming undone. "No, I'm not." She flipped through the channels, amazed that she had so many stations and nothing to watch.
    Adriana grabbed the remote and turned it off. "What are you afraid of?"
    She glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt. Right now she looked like a before picture for a weight-loss plan. She turned to her friend, who looked fabulous in a yellow summer dress and dangling earrings that looked like flower baskets. What was she afraid of? She was afraid of being captured under the spell of a magnetic man who would soon grow bored of her. She was afraid that she was somehow already under his spell and that if she ever saw him again he would only succeed in deceiving and hurting her. "You wouldn't understand."
    "I always understand," Adriana argued, settling into the couch. "Explain it."
    Cassie glanced down and tugged on the hem of her shirt. "I vowed I would never be enthralled about a man ever again like I was