Grave Homecoming (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 1) by Lily Harper Hart Page A

Sure, his mind often seemed to wander, but it always returned to her eventually.
    Cassidy had a feeling something was different now. Nick had lied to her. She was sure of that. He claimed he didn’t want her to go down to Willow Lake with him because it was his “thinking” place. He said he always went down there alone. Now she knew why he really disappeared there three times a week: That was where he felt closest to Maddie.
    Cassidy’s heart was beating so hard she was sure it was about to explode. Nick said they’d never dated – and she believed him – but she knew now it wasn’t because he didn’t want to date the willowy blonde. She also knew it wasn’t because Maddie didn’t want Nick. They were both obviously too scared to admit their feelings.
    Her world was slipping away, and she was just standing there watching it happen. Nick’s face was buried in Maddie’s hair, and his hands were tight around her back as he rocked her in his arms. Cassidy knew Nick had never held her that way, or looked at her the way he did when Maddie fled from lunch. He’d never felt anything for her like he did for Maddie.
    “I’m sure it’s not what you think,” Christy said, appearing at Cassidy’s elbow.
    Cassidy collected herself. “And what am I thinking?”
    “You’re thinking that they’re … having an affair, or something,” Christy said. “Nick isn’t the kind of guy who cheats.”
    Cassidy pursed her lips. “Are you telling me they don’t have feelings for each other?”
    Christy tilted her head to the side. “No.”
    “Well, thanks for being honest,” Cassidy said.
    “I’m sorry,” Christy said. “I try not to lie. You should just prepare yourself.”
    “For what? Do you think Nick is going to leave me in the dust now that Maddie is back in town? Do you think they’re going to pick up where they left off?” Cassidy was desperate for Christy to tell her she was overreacting.
    “You’re a nice woman, Cassidy,” Christy said. “You were never really in the game where Nick was concerned, though.”
    “What are you talking about? We’ve been dating for six months.” Cassidy was crushed.
    “But he’s been in love with Maddie since he was seventeen,” Christy said.
    “They haven’t seen each other in ten years,” Cassidy argued.
    “That doesn’t mean they haven’t loved each other all of that time,” Christy said. “Listen, I don’t want to hurt you. Nick doesn’t want to hurt you either. He’s not that kind of guy. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s always been in love with Maddie. You need to … .”
    “Prepare myself,” Cassidy said, bitter. “You already told me that.”
    “It will be easier to let him go now.”
    “I don’t want to let him go,” Cassidy said. “I’m in love with him.”
    “But he’s in love with her.”
    “He hasn’t said anything like that to me,” Cassidy pointed out. “You can’t possibly know that he’s in love with her.”
    “Has he told you that he loves you?” Christy asked, changing tactics.
    “No,” Cassidy hedged.
    “Have you told him that you love him?”
    Cassidy nodded, her lower lip trembling.
    “And how does he respond when you say it?” Christy asked.
    “He … changes the subject.” Christy pressed her lips together, and Cassidy could read the sympathy on the woman’s round face. She hated it. She hated the pity. “I’m not giving up on him,” she said, resolute.
    “Okay,” Christy said. “That’s your decision.”
    Cassidy turned her attention back to the street, her heart sinking when she saw Nick wrap his arm around Maddie’s shoulders so he could lead her in the opposite direction from the crime scene. She watched them go – they seemed lost in their own little world, their heads bent together as they talked – and her heart broke.
    She knew, deep down, that Christy was right. That didn’t mean she was going to let Nick just walk away and run into the arms of the town’s resident bombshell.