This was completely beyond the world Logan knew about, he didn’t think anything he could say would help.
“That sucks,” was all he could come up with. Cassie shot him a grateful smile and his heart fluttered.
“The whole time I was with Spencer, I felt like it was just to make my parents happy. They didn’t even care that I didn’t like him that much or that he was such a jerk. It was what was expected of me, you know?”
Logan shook his head.
“Not really, no. No one ever expected much from me.”
Cassie sighed wistfully.
“That must be nice. Having a blank canvas like that.”
“I’d never thought about it that way. I’d rather be known for something bad than not known at all.”
Cassie didn’t respond. They pulled into a parking lot near one of the rockier beaches. It was deserted at this time of night. They got out into the cool midsummer air, and Logan breathed in the sharp tang of the lake. The days were still hot, but nights could get chilly. He noticed Cassie shivering a little in just her shorts and a long sleeved shirt. He shrugged off his jacket and held it out to her.
“Here,” he said. “You need this more than me.”
She looked up at him, and he was surprised to see tears in her eyes. Surprised and slightly panicked.
“I’m sorry!” He pulled his jacket back to his chest. “I don’t…I don’t know what to do here. I don’t have a lot of friends. Girls. Girlfriends. I mean, friends who are girls.”
Great, now he was babbling, and she was crying. He could hear Hideki laughing already.
“No, I’m sorry.” She sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve and sat down on the large rock at the water’s edge. “It’s just the first time tonight someone has thought about what I need or want.”
Logan felt his heart start to speed up. He’d actually done something right! Something helpful. He felt so much in her debt sometimes, with everything she was doing to help him, it felt good to know he could help her, too.
He walked over to her and placed the jacket on her shoulders.
“Is there anything else you need right now?” he asked softly, standing as close to her as he dared. Close enough to catch a whiff of her fruity shampoo as a light breeze whipped past and blew her hair back. The water on the lake was bright, and she’d left the headlights of the car on so they could see their way down to the shore. Their shadows loomed high and blended together in the water.
“You could sit here and talk to me about something totally random to help me forget.”
Logan nodded.
“I think I can do that.” He sat down next to her on the rock, keeping a good twelve inches between them. This was not the moment to try anything other than jacket lending, as much as his brain was screaming for him to go for it. “Do you want to know why my middle name is Cousteau?”
She let out a short laugh.
“I have been wondering, ever since the doctor’s office.”
He flushed. Why was he telling her this? No one knew this. But she asked for something random.
“I’m born on the day Jacques Cousteau died. My mom didn’t know what to give me as a middle name, and it was all over the news that day.”
“What?” She turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling with leftover tears in the moonlight.
“He’s this French ocean—”
“I know who he is,” she interrupted, her face scrunched up yet still perfect and beautiful. “I forgot you’re a Cancer. Water sign. Makes sense now.”
He raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t sure if he was more surprised that she knew who Jacques Cousteau was or that she was into astrology. This was a night for surprises, apparently.
“You know Cousteau?”
She shrugged.
“My dad was really into him. It’s unavoidable really.”
“What do you mean by ‘really into him’?” Logan narrowed his eyes. “This is not like being into comic books or Star Wars or something mainstream geeky. This is science geeky stuff.” Her dad was a big shot real estate developer. Not exactly the typical type to like this kind of stuff.
Cassie sighed and leaned back on her hands, looking out into the shimmering darkness of the lake.
“Well, you know how everyone has their one thing?”
Logan shook his head.
“You know.” She turned to look at him, her eyes wide. “Everyone has one random silly thing that they love and can’t explain. There’s no reason. It’s just part of you. His is a Cousteau obsession.”
Logan leaned back as well and considered this. What did he randomly love?
“So mine is Cousteau, too?”
Logan wasn’t sure he liked having something in common with her father. He hadn’t been super impressed with what he’d seen at the house he’d been cleaning. Just intimidated. And to hear that he’d cared more about his daughter being with a guy to help his business than her feelings didn’t exactly made him sound great.
Plus there was the lingering question Logan still had to ask his mom. Why she was so against the Harts? He tried to remember back to when his mom had been working for him, but nothing came to mind. It had been over a year ago, and right now, sitting on a rock by the lake next to Cassie, he didn’t really want to think about his mom.
Especially since Cassie was now watching him carefully with her very green and very distracting eyes. He shifted a little. The rock was not the most comfortable seat but if she wasn’t bothered, neither was he.
“No, you’re not obsessed with Cousteau, not like he is. Hello, he named his daughter Calypso for crying out loud.”
Logan turned to look at her, his mouth dropping open.
“I didn’t know that was your full name.”
She reached up to brush her long hair in front her face that was turning a beet red. He cringed.
Way to make her feel even worse tonight.
“You don’t go by Callie instead?” He tried desperately to make up for his rudeness.
She shrugged.
“It’s something my sister started. She’s named Diane, like Cousteau’s daughter.”
“Wow, he really is obsessed.”
Cassie laughed.
“Yeah, it seems to have faded a bit with time. Now he just fishes mostly.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to talk so much about your dad when you’re so mad at him,” Logan said, his stomach sinking when he realized that this was probably not what she’d needed.
“No, it’s fine, it’s helping.”
Logan raised an eyebrow. She giggled.
“Really. He’s not a bad guy. It’s good to remember his little quirks. I try so hard to make him proud, I forget he’s a real person, too.”
Logan nodded.
“I kind of get that. That’s why I’m so amped about Columbia. My mom is so freaking proud. It feels awesome.”
“So it’s just you and your mom?”
Logan nodded and frowned. She’d shared a lot with him, but he wasn’t sure he was ready to share this. Not even Hideki asked about his dad, not anymore.
Neither said anything for a few minutes and they just looked out at the water. The gentle lapping against the shore was soothing…but also kind of romantic. Logan shifted a little in his seat, moving two inches closer to Cassie.
“Thanks for talking with me tonight,” she said, standing up. She handed back his jacket and the breath whooshed out of Logan’s chest. “I hope you won’t get in trouble with your aunt for being out so late.”
Logan couldn’t help but laugh.
“Please, she’d be thrilled to know I’m out with a—” He stopped himself and blushed a deep scarlet. “I mean, she won’t care.”
Cassie had that half-smile on her face that did funny things to Logan’s stomach, but she didn’t say anything. After long awkward minute of Logan’s mind racing as he thought of something else to say, she made her way to the car. He let out a long breath and followed her.
When she dropped him of
f, he didn’t go in right away. He stood on the porch and watched her drive away.
Cassie Hart was nothing like he’d expected but she also represented everything he wasn’t. She was part of a world he hated and she was forced into pretending to like it. He didn’t think she hated it though. But tonight something had shifted, and he’d seen a glimpse of what it would be like to be a part of that world. A part of her world.
Was he ready for that?
Chapter Fifteen
The days before the Fourth of July party were not as fun as they had been in previous years for Cassie. Her sister was happy to go out and walk around town with her, but her parents were barely looking at her and speaking in forced polite tones. Even telling them she’d decided on Columbia didn’t make a difference.
“Well, thank goodness you’ve come to your senses,” was all her mother said. “We need everything settled as soon as possible before…”
Her mom trailed off and looked up at her dad. They were all sitting at the breakfast table eating waffles the housekeeper had prepared.
“Before the end of summer,” her mom finished and changed the subject to finalizing the flowers for the backyard.
The bright spot in her days were the drives with Logan. After the night at the lake, she had to admit to her herself that she was at least crushing on him a little. There was no other explanation for the eagerness she felt when she got a message from him or the excited flutter in her stomach when she saw his face light up when she pulled up to his house.
She actually even started a message to Marissa, asking her if it was too soon after Spencer to think about someone else, and if she was crazy for even considering Logan. He was from a completely different world and was the total opposite of what her parents wanted. Besides, he didn’t even like her that much. He was just putting up with her because he wanted to hear about New York.
And yet…he’d been so sweet when she was crying the other night, maybe he didn’t think she was totally terrible. Then she’d remember what she’d done to him and that she was terrible. This crush had to stay under control. So what if her heart skipped a beat on those rare occasions his dimpled smile made an appearance? It wasn’t going to happen, for so many reasons.
Cassie really needed the advice of a best friend.
But in the end, she deleted the message. It had been weeks, and no word from Marissa. Why should Cassie reach out first? She hadn’t been the one to pick a boy over her best friend.
There was still no word if the Huntingtons were coming to the party. If Spencer came, would Marissa be with him? Cassie was not looking forward to a potential showdown in front of her family.
On the morning of the party, Cassie still hadn’t decided if she should reach out to Marissa, just to see once and for all if she would be there that night. Her sister had proved completely unhelpful in giving advice, saying simply that if they showed and Cassie wanted to bail, then she’d cover for her.
Until that moment, Cassie hadn’t even considered not going as an option. It was the one thing the family did together every summer. Her mom planned her charity events around it, and her dad took off work. He’d taken off a lot more than usual this summer to be with Cassie, but still, it seemed like abandoning her family if she didn’t go.
All it took was seeing the Huntington’s car pull up, however, and Spencer step out with Marissa on his arm for Cassie to quickly take her sister up on her offer. The look on Marissa’s face was one of pure joy, and Cassie felt sick to her stomach as Spencer wrapped his arm around her waist.
“I’m out of here,” she whispered to Di as Spencer and Marissa made their way from the house into the backyard. The view facing the lake was one of the best to see the fireworks, and it killed her to be missing it. But she was pretty sure that being here would kill her more.
It wasn’t like she cared that Spencer was with someone else. It was the disappointment in her parents’ eyes that she wanted to escape. Her irritation with Marissa paled in comparison to that.
Cassie made her way along the side of the yard past the dozen or so guests who were already there, and snuck around to the front of the house. She groaned when she realized her car was blocked in by all the others. This was not going to be easy.
She was dressed in wedges and a summer dress, not exactly fit for walking anywhere. It wasn’t even really fit for the cool evening air, but she hadn’t realized quite how chilly it was under the heat lamps in the backyard. She didn’t want to risk going back in the house to get a jacket and someone seeing her. There was only one person she wanted to see right now, and he didn’t have a car. She bit her lip, considering her options…
Hey what are you doing tonight?
She held her breath as she waited for Logan’s answer, which came almost instantly.
Just hanging out with my family.
Cassie took a deep breath before hitting send on her next message.
Do you think your cousin would mind if you guys came and got me?
It was a big ask. He owed her nothing, and she didn’t deserve his help. But hope flickered as the blinking dots appeared in the messenger window, telling her he was typing. Her heart pounded as she waited for a response.
We’ll be there in 10.
Cassie was suddenly very shy as she walked into Logan’s aunt and uncle’s house. They were all sitting around a table, playing a board game.
“What a nice surprise to see one of Logan’s friends!” His aunt gave her a wide smile. Cassie flushed. Friends. That’s all they were. That’s all he wanted them to be. “Care to join us for a game? We don’t head down to the lake until a little after 9.”
“We like to keep things pretty low key,” his uncle added with a joking grin that looked just like Hideki’s.
Cassie felt a wave of relief wash over her.
“Low key sounds great,” she said. “Sorry for interrupting your evening.”
“It’s fine. We’re happy to meet one of Logan’s friends from school. And how exciting you’ll both be going to Columbia in the fall! It’s great they were able to match you up so he could hear more about it.”
Cassie shot a look at Logan, whose cheeks were tinged with red. He’d apparently talked about her to his family quite a bit more than she’d talked to hers. Of course, he had no reason to hide it, unlike her.
Logan cleared his throat.
“Is it okay if I leave the game? I thought we might head down to the lake early. Get a good spot.”
His aunt and uncle exchanged glances before nodding, but Hideki was less discreet and grinned like a jack-o-lantern. Logan took Cassie by the arm and led her back towards the door before his cousin could open his mouth.
“It was nice to meet you!” she called back over her shoulder. Logan stopped to grab a jacket from the hall closet and one of the beach bags full of blankets by the door and they were back out in the cool night. He placed the jacket on her bare shoulders and slung the bag over his shoulder.
“It’s almost two miles down to the park, actually,” he said, looking down at her shoes. “When we were younger we’d take our bikes and spend the whole day out there, but the past few summers we’ve been working and this year with my shoulder—”
“I can handle a short walk,” she said, lifting her chin. She felt the familiar twinge of guilt in her stomach when he mentioned his shoulder. He didn’t talk about it that often, but every single time he did she wondered how his summer would have been without the accident.
“Sorry I ruined your evening with your family,” she said, pulling the jacket around her. It was the same one from that night at the lake and the smell of him overwhelmed her senses—fresh and citrusy, but also with hints of spices. Ginger, maybe. His whole house had smelled delicious.
“Hideki can get super intense with games,” Logan said with a chuckle. “Trust me, you made things a lot better.”
Was he talking about just tonight? Her heart fluttered.
They walked in silence for a while. Cassie looked up at th
e sky.
“I’ll miss the quiet in New York,” she said, trying to get a hold of her emotions. This was just like driving him around. Except it was nothing like that. “And the stars.”
Logan smiled and her stomach did a backflip at the sight of his dimple.
“I think about that all the time,” he said softly. “How far away from quiet I’ll be.”
She looked at his floppy hair falling across his forehead and the look of pure attentiveness in his eyes. The tiny crush she’d been telling herself wasn’t really there suddenly burst into full bloom. She almost stopped walking, the feeling was so overwhelming.
He was so different than everyone else in her life. No phony front, no pretending to be someone he wasn’t. He liked things clean, and calm, and quiet. He hated the world she came from; she’d known that since that first night. He wouldn’t even be talking to her if he didn’t want to hear about Columbia. When the summer was over, they’d both go off to New York and he’d have his friends while she kept doing what she did best—making her parents happy. She’d major in business and help her dad during the summers. She’d meet someone else just like Spencer but from an even bigger family and make her mother delirious with joy when she brought him home over winter break. It was all so clearly laid out before her.
“I want to major in art history,” she said in a rush, her face growing hot. There, she’d finally said it out loud. “My parents want me to major in business or pre-law or something useful. But I like art.”
He smiled.
That damn dimple.
“What’s your favorite museum?”
“Definitely the Met. A boring choice, I know, but they have everything.” She started to babble. This blooming crush was turning her into her most awkward self. Like, middle school awkward. “I can spend a whole day in just one little section. And it’s right on Central Park so you can go right out into nature instead of into the city.”
“Will you take me?” he said softly, as if he was afraid of her answer. As if she’d ever be able to deny him something. “When we’re in New York?”
This Summer At The Lake Page 10
