Only in Time (A Mystique Antiques Novella) by Kelli McCracken Read Free Book Online Page A

her a tiny shake. “He wouldn’t have left had he known how—”
    “Don’t go there, Cassie.” Ally broke free from her grasp, refocusing on their reflections.
    “Oh I’m going there. And then back again.” Cassie tapped her shoulder until she returned her gaze. “If he had known, you wouldn’t be hiding out in the women’s bathroom right now. You and Jonah would be happily married, raising a family, and enjoying life.”
    “Whatever, Cass. Jonah would have grown restless with me. Music meant that much to him. His brother would have called with promises of fame and fortune. He would have left.”
    “You didn’t see the way he looked at you over the years.”
    Blowing out a deep breath, Ally pushed away from the counter. She loved that Cassie wanted to make her feel better, but reliving the past wasn’t helping. “Your theory is flawed. If he’d cared about me in the least, he wouldn’t have avoided my kiss.”
    Cassie chewed on her lip, as though she wanted to keep arguing the point, but the door swung open again. Two girls came walking in, giggling about something Ally could care less about. Her eyes moved back to Cassie.
    With a tight-lipped smile, she gave Ally a nod and turned toward the door. “We can argue the point another time. I’m going to pay for our drinks and get our cab. See you in a few.”
    Once Cassie disappeared behind the door, Ally gazed down at her watch, ready to time her wait. The longer she stayed in the bathroom, the less chance she had of running into Jonah.
    No matter how much she swore she’d never talk to him again, deep down she knew she couldn’t refuse him. Not if he approached her. Then she’d be a sitting target. One for him to shoot down once the moment arrived. God knows he did before.
    Another round of giggles came from the stall she’d exited. She’d almost forgotten about the girls walking in, but she couldn’t ignore their insistent chuckles. Or the words flowing from their mouths as they chatted back and forth.
    “The singer is definitely a total babe. I saw him looking at you.”
    “Mmm, Theo McCabe. I’m hooking up with his fine ass tonight. I’m sure we can get his brother to tag along.”
    “That’s his brother playing guitar?”
    More words drifted from the stalls, but Ally couldn’t hear them. Could only hear the way her heart began to pound again. Guess she wasn’t the only person who’d caught Jonah’s eyes, tonight.
    She couldn’t stand around and listen to this.
    Gazing down at her watch, she noticed she had another minute until she met with Cassie. She’d surprise her friend and arrive a little early. Maybe the cab would, too.
    As the sound of rushing water came from the stalls, Ally turned for the door, pulling it open as she stepped through the threshold. A short journey down the hall brought her back to the edge of the bar. And just a few feet away from Jonah.
    Her heart had never raced as fast as it did the moment their eyes met. Or when she ran toward the red exit sign at the back of the bar.

CHAPTER 5
     
    A warm breeze lifted Ally’s hair from her shoulders as she stepped outside the bar. Gazing around at the nearby buildings, she fought to steady her breath. She had to find a way out of here before Jonah came looking for her.
    Then again, maybe he wouldn’t.
    Eyeing the left side of the alley, she noticed a group of people standing near the dumpsters. Huddled close together, the mixture of men and women gave her a long stare down before finally turning back to each other. She noticed them exchanging something between them. Then the tangy scent of marijuana filled her nose.
    Stoners. The way she came busting out the door must have scared them. What a paranoid bunch.
    Her eyes moved past the group, further down the tiny road parallel to the building she just exited. A few more joining buildings would make for a long walk around to the front. Maybe she’d have better luck going to her right.
    The door creaked behind her, sending