Seeing Shadows (Shadows 1)

"Ha," I scoffed. "I thought you knew me better than that."

Sarah gave me a smile that was tinged with sadness. "I do. That's why I think Simon would be good for you."

"Sarah," I warned.

"Okay, okay!" Sarah said, laughing and getting up to put her empty bowl in the sink. "I just meant in a friend sense."

I was saved from having to answer by a knock on the door. I took a deep breath and answered it, promising myself that I would play it cool today. Project Friendship was commencing.

"Hey there," Simon said with a grin. Every time I saw him, it was as if I forgot how unfairly beautiful he was. A guy shouldn't be allowed to be so good-looking. Simon's blue t-shirt that peeked through his unzipped coat magnified the blue of his eyes and his dark brown hair was perfectly tousled, as always. "Ready to go?"

"Yup," I replied with an answering smile. "Let me just grab my coat."

I slipped on my coat and picked up my purse that had been lying on the couch and called out to Sarah.

"Sarah, I'm leaving now. I'll see you later."

Sarah popped her head out from the kitchen. "Hi Simon. Bye Simon." She cocked an eyebrow. "Bye Caitlin. Don't have too much fun!" She cackled and stuck her head back into the kitchen.

I frowned as I closed and locked the door behind me. "Don't mind her, she's always obtuse in the morning."

Simon grinned as we walked down the stairs. "I think she's just worried about my intentions."

"It's okay," I replied. "I told her that we had decided to be friends." Simon opened the passenger door of his car. Chivalrous to the end, I thought. Simon had an Audi but for the life of me I didn't know what kind. I knew nothing about cars. I just knew it looked expensive.

"Nice car," I commented when he slid into the driver's seat.

Simon shrugged. "It gets me where I need to go," he said, turning the ignition. "And what's this about us being friends?"

I paused, watching him as he backed out of the driveway. "Aren't we?" I asked, not sure how to take his question.

Simon glanced quickly over at me and then looked back at the road. "Sure, we're friends," he said quietly.

"Great," I said a little too brightly, not sure why it suddenly felt awkward. I watched him as he drove. "Hey, it seems like you already know where you're going."

"I figured we could grab something to eat first," Simon replied, keeping his eyes on the road. "Grant mentioned a place called the Cove for brunch. I didn't think you would want to go to Colette's since you're there all the time."

"But what if I've already eaten?" I asked, feeling a little annoyed that he assumed that I had been waiting for him to eat.

Simon gave me a half-smile as he glanced over at me. "Have you?"

"Well, no." I said slowly, knowing how immature I sounded but not being able to stop. "But what if I had?"

Simon laughed. "I would have had no problem with you watching me eat."

I pursed my lips in mock displeasure but couldn't completely suppress my smile. "I'm sure you're used to girls wanting to gaze at you, whatever you're doing."

Simon laughed even louder. "I don't know where you got this funny idea that I always have girls hanging on me."

"Come on," I scoffed. "All I need are eyes to see all the girls staring at you." I gave him a thoughtful look. "Not that it's a bad thing. Abe was a pretty good looking guy and he used it to his advantage. It fits the rocker image, I guess. The more girls think they have a chance with you, the more it'll fuel the Henchmen's popularity."

Simon frowned as he watched the road. "I don't think that's how I want to become popular."

"Oh," I said suddenly, thinking that I may have offended him. "I didn't mean it in a bad way. I don't mean that's all you have going for you. I'm sure you guys are going to sound awesome. I just meant that it doesn't hurt. It's true that looks matter, especially in the music industry."

"How come you're so hesitant to perform in front of other people then?" Simon asked, his thumbs tapping out a rhythm on his steering wheel that only he could hear. "Sarah says you're really good but you never play or sing for anyone."

I laughed. "Sarah is being generous. She thinks it's impressive when I play chopsticks. And what does that have to do with our conversation?"