Cassidy Lane by Maria Murnane Read Free Book Online Page A

don’t know…telling him the truth?”
    “Of course, but I don’t know if I can stomach that. He’s such a sweetheart.”
    Cassidy sipped her coffee. “I think honesty is always the best policy. That way he won’t hold out hope that you’ll change your mind. Think of how many times you’ve held out hope for a guy because he gave you some excuse for why he couldn’t date you instead of just manning up and telling you he wasn’t feeling it. It’s a waste of time, right?”
    Danielle gave her a blank look. “I’ve never been in that position.”
    Cassidy stared back. “You haven’t?”
    “No.”
    “You’ve never been dumped?”
    “Not really, no.”
    Cassidy set down her mug and put her face in her hands. “You’ve lived a charmed life in the heartache department, my friend.”
    “It’s possible. So you really think I should tell Tristan the truth?”
    “I really do. If he’s in love with you, it’s not fair to lead him on, right?”
    Danielle poured yet more syrup on her pancakes—the remaining bites were now like lily pads in a pond. “OK, I’ll do it. I just wish the sex weren’t so good. I hate to give that up.”
    “You’re like a guy, the way you act with men. You realize that, right?”
    “I’m aware. I’m just not cut out for relationships. I excel at flings, though.”
    The waiter returned to refill their coffees, and Cassidy again cupped her mug under her chin. “I wish I could be that casual about dating. Either I’m totally smitten by someone from the get-go or I have absolutely zero interest. There’s never an in-between with me.”
    “So? What’s wrong with that?”
    “I just wish I could enjoy having fun without it always having to mean something. I’ve never been able to do that the way you can. Remember how many guys you were always juggling in college? It was like watching The Bachelorette .”
    Danielle shrugged. “You and I are wired differently, that’s all.”
    “I just wish I knew your secret. Men love you.”
    “Please. Men love you too. You get asked out all the time.”
    Cassidy frowned. “Only by guys I don’t find appealing. A couple of weeks ago I got hit on by a man who must have been sixty years old. Do I look like I should be dating men in their sixties?”
    Danielle shrugged again. “Some women like older men.”
    Cassidy set down her cup. “Please. He had one foot in the grave. I must be doing something wrong if that’s what I’m attracting.”
    “Nonsense. It’s not about doing the right thing or the wrong thing. It’s about chemistry and timing and a bunch of other factors that are out of your control. So don’t beat yourself up about where you are right now. Loads of people would cut off an arm to have your life.”
    Cassidy tilted her head to one side and smiled. “You’re a good friend, do I tell you that enough?”
    “As are you.”
    Cassidy lowered her voice and leaned forward again. “I know you’re focused on your career right now, but do you ever worry … that you’ll never find the right guy and have a family of your own?” she whispered.
    Danielle answered without hesitation. “Nope.”
    “You’re not?”
    Danielle shook her head. “I’m perfectly fine by myself. Most of the time I prefer it, to be honest. I have zero interest in a life of car pools and trips to Costco.”
    Still leaning forward, Cassidy lowered her voice even further, to a near whisper. “Can I tell you something?”
    “Of course.”
    “Sometimes, when I see happy couples all around me, I wonder if maybe…if maybe I don’t have it.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Cassidy swallowed. “I mean that maybe…maybe I just don’t have it , that quality…or whatever you want to call it…that would make a man see me as, you know, the one .”
    Danielle slowly shook her head. “Oh, hon, you can’t think like that.”
    Cassidy made a sad face. “I know, but I can’t help it sometimes.”
    “Cassidy, any man would be lucky to have you. Trust me on