Longing for You (Touched by Magic Book 1) by Kelli McCracken Read Free Book Online Page B

through the packed floor. When she broke free, she hurried toward the rest rooms.
    Was this really happening?
    Concerned with Ally’s reaction to seeing Jonah, she wanted to follow her friend but glared toward Mike once more. She was tempted to explain what they’d witnessed. Then maybe he’d feel every bit the ass he’d made of himself.
    If she wanted to give in to that temptation, she’d have to go to the bar because he was headed in that direction.
    Asshole.
    She’d never thought of him in that manner, but he’d never shown his jealous side until a moment ago. It was a side she didn’t fancy to see again. She’d tell him as much once she checked on Ally. Seeing Jonah had to mess with her friend’s mind, especially after Cassie swore he didn’t live in the area. She hoped Ally wouldn’t assume she’d lied.
    Working her way through the crowd, she peeked at the stage. Jonah didn’t notice her. He was too busy staring in the direction she was heading, the same direction where Ally had disappeared from his sight.
    * * *
    The ladies’ room door closed behind Cassie, blocking out the new song the band was playing. She scanned the stalls on the back wall once she noticed the vanity vacant. All doors were ajar, except the one on the furthest end, and the open-toed heels underneath resembled Ally’s. Still, she needed to make sure.
    Taking cautious steps, she moved closer to the stall “Ally? You in here?”
    “Yeah.”
    Relieved to know it was her friend on the other side, she grabbed the handle and shook the door. “Hey. Are you okay?”
    A grunt echoed as Ally replied, “Having the time of my life.”
    The shaky sound of her voice contradicted her words. Poor thing. As if running into the man that broke her heart wasn’t bad enough, according to Mike, she’d given Jonah ‘one hell of a show’.
    Shit …
    There was no way to diffuse the situation. Not without bringing up the very thing that sent Ally rushing from the dance floor into the ladies’ room. No matter how much she wanted to keep her best friend in good spirits, she knew Ally would shed some tears before the night was over.  
    “I saw what happened. Actually, Mike noticed something was going on first. By the time I tuned in, you’d stopped dancing.”
    She pulled on the door again, jiggling it until the sound of the lock sliding open filled the air. The door swung wider and a set of eyes pierced her. So far, they contained no tears, but it brought Cassie little relief. No show of emotions meant one thing. Ally was in shock.
    It would be much better to deal with tears. Heartache she could comfort; denial…not so much. The sooner her friend released the emotions she kept at bay, the quicker she would move past what happened.
    “Ally, I’m so sorry. I had no idea Jonah would be here. I didn’t know he was still around these parts. I heard he’d left for L.A.”
    Her friend waved off the apology and moved toward the vanity. A quick glance at her reflection had her avoiding the mirror. “It’s okay, Cass. I know you wouldn’t do this to me on purpose. I’m sorry I’m ruining our night.”
    “You’re not ruining my night. I’ve had a blast, but if it has to end, then so be it. There will be plenty more.”
    Ally nodded and twisted the sink handles. She cupped her hands under the running water, splashing it on her face. It was this very reason that Cassie swore off love. She hated seeing her friend so upset.
    Joining her near the sink, she patted Ally’s back as they both gazed in the mirror. It would be best to get her home, away from the possible situation that could develop if she and Jonah came face-to-face.
    While she wasn’t sure if he’d actually approach Ally, the way he watched her walk away said the probability was good. That conversation had a fifty-fifty shot at going well or being a complete disaster.
    “Listen,” she began as she squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “Take a few minutes to compose yourself. I’ll go pay