Page 75 of Always: A Legacy Novel

“A lot has changed. We’re not the same, Cross.”

Cross looked down at her, unflinching, gorgeous, and oh, so damn familiar. “I think a lot might have stayed the same, too.”

“You know, people are going to see us leaving together, and that’s only going to make things worse at school.”

“You’re under some kind of impression that I give a shit what people think—I don’t. Are you coming, or not?”

God.

Catherine quickly found she was not good at telling Cross no, mostly because she didn’t want to refuse him at all. She understood all too well what he meant about her breaking his heart, because in the process way back then, she’d broken her own heart, too. He probably didn’t know it, though.

“A Range Rover, you said?” she asked.

“All white,” he confirmed, “and black on black rims.”

“Let me find my brother first.”

Cross pointed to a large set of patio windows. “He’s dealing on the back deck.”

Well, that made things faster.

“And I’ll be outside,” Cross added.

Catherine quickly found her brother sitting on the railing. A lit cigarette dangled out of the corner of Michel’s mouth as he chatted with a guy Catherine didn’t recognize. He was too old to be in high school, she thought, yet he was at a party thrown by school-age kids.

Michel and the guy quieted as Catherine approached. “You better not want to leave yet because I’m still busy, Catherine.”

“Yeah, I can see how busy you are.”

“Everything good?”

Catherine nodded. “I guess.”

“What do you need, then?”

She peeked over her shoulder, but Cross was already gone out of sight. “Would you mind if I left for a bit? I’ll be back before you’re done, I promise.”

Michel landed to his feet on the deck. “Go where?”

“Not sure.”

“With who, exactly?”

“Cross Donati,” she said.

“Since when did you start dating him again?”

Catherine rolled her eyes. “I’m not.”

“Although, I bet your dad would like that,” the unknown guy said.

Michel waved a hand. “Shut up, Charlie.”

“I’m just sayin’.”

“I told Ma and Dad I was bringing you here,” Michel said pointedly, “but not here for you to go somewhere else, Catherine. And you don’t have an enforcer to trail behind you tonight.”

“So don’t tell them. It’ll be fine—it’s just Cross, and they know him. I’ll be back before you’re done, like I said.”