Pretty When They Collide (Pretty When She Dies 0.50)

“No, no. Not the purse, silly. What’s inside.” Aimee tugged it off and gently opened it. Reaching inside, she withdrew a tattered book, so old it was held together with cotton string. “It’s my family’s book of shadows. This is why I ran away from them. It called to me once I turned sixteen. It invaded my dreams, called me in my waking hours, and showed me exactly where it was. I believe it’s one of a kind, possessing spells and potions that are long forgotten. Every time I open it I find a new one. It’s ancient and powerful. So powerful it masked itself from Frank. He never knew I had it.”

“Wow.” Cassandra’s fingers hovered over the book, but she didn’t quite touch it.

“If we’re going to be good guys and fight the bad guys, I think this will help,” Aimee said, then stowed it away.

Scooting closer, Cassandra held Aimee’s hands. Aimee met her thoughtful gaze with her own. “Aimee, if you want to go and try to have a normal life–”

“No.” Aimee’s tone was firm. “I belong here. I feel it. I’m home. Don’t you want me?”

The twinkle in her eyes and rogue quality to Cassandra’s grin said it all. “In the worst way.”

“Then stop trying to make me reconsider.” Aimee brushed her fingertips over Cassandra’s cheek. “I know what I want.”

Cassandra grasped her hand and pressed a long, passionate kiss to her palm. “I do, too.”

Aimee’s heart lifted at Cassandra’s words. Snuggling together, they watched the sun slowly begin to rise as the van raced toward El Paso.

Epilogue

Cassandra drove up to her mother’s house and parked in the speckled shadows beneath the tall tree that loomed over the street. The drive from Austin had been uneventful, much to her relief.

She still feared Scott more than Frank. Scott had resources and was clever in obtaining what his clients desired. Frank was powerful, but not nearly as clever as he thought he was. When she had left behind the cellphone and laptop she had used to keep in contact with Scott, she had effectively cut off her communication with him, but she was still nervous.

Beside her, Aimee applied a little lip gloss to her lips and checked her hair in the mirror on the back of the windshield visor.

“You’re already pretty,” Cassandra teased her.

“It doesn’t hurt to look presentable,” Aimee answered, rolling her eyes. Clad in a colorful summer dress and flip-flops they had picked up in Austin, she looked amazing.

Cassandra, meanwhile, was in her regular jeans, boots, and a form-fitting t-shirt with Wonder Woman on it. She flipped down her visor, checked her hair in the mirror and shrugged. It looked good and what little makeup she wore hadn’t smeared. “Fabulous and done.”

Aimee again rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

“Mascara and lip balm, babe. That’s all this perfect face needs.”

“Hard to believe you were a model in Paris,” Aimee teased.

“I can strut with the best of them. Besides, all that makeup at the shows is probably what made me hate the stuff.” Cassandra struck one of her sultry poses. “See! I’ve still got it.”

“Oh, work it, babe!”

Cassandra playfully shifted around in her seat, striking all the old modeling positions.

Aimee giggled, a delightful sound.

In the two weeks they had spent together, Cassandra hadn’t doubted for a second that they were meant to be. They fit together effortlessly and the more they learned about each other, the more firmly cemented their relationship became. Cassandra couldn’t deny that something more powerful than both of them had brought them into each other’s lives.

“So, ready to meet my mom?” Cassandra asked.

“Absolutely!” Aimee popped her door open and stepped out.

Cassandra followed quickly, taking Aimee’s hand before guiding her up the walkway to the house. “Now, remember, she gets a little muddled. I told her all about you, but chances are she won’t have a clue who you are.”

“I understand. I won’t be freaked out,” Aimee assured her.

Tucking her arm around Aimee’s waist, Cassandra gave her a slight squeeze. “I know that, but I just feel I should–”

The screen door banged open and Galina stepped out onto the porch. Throwing out her arms toward Aimee, she let out a cry of delight. “She’s so beautiful! She’s so perfect! I can see the magic all around her!”