Until We Meet Again(54)
worth it.
Lawrence waits in our usual spot. He turns, but instead
of rushing toward me, he just studies me. I tug at my shirt,
selfconscious.
“I look dumb, I know, but I had to sneak out.”
“You’re a vision, Cassandra.”
Now, he comes toward me. The feel of his kiss is even better
than in my daydreams. We spend the first half hour or so
reminding each other of that fact. Every second in that library,
every tense word with Mom was worth it if it buys me more
moments like this.
The thought of the library reminds me. We have important
things to discuss.
“We need to talk about Cooper Enterprises,” I say as Lawrence
moves his lips down the line of my throat.
“Do we have to?” he asks between kisses.
My eyelids flutter with pleasure. “Mm-hmm.” I sit back a
little. “I mean, yes. We have to talk. No more kissing.”
“Well, that’s no fun.”
“We can have fun later. Right now, we need to discuss what
I researched today.”
“Or…” Lawrence grabs me close again. “We could kiss now
and talk later.”
I resist his embrace. “This is serious, Lawrence.”
He sighs. “You’re right. So, did you find out something about
Cooper Enterprises?”
“Yes. They’re trouble,” I begin. “This article I found is from
nineteen twenty-seven. It talks about how almost all the top
guys at Cooper are arrested.”
“For?”
“Crime. Mostly business related, I think, but the article didn’t
really go into much detail.”
Lawrence frowns, deep in thought. “I could have guessed
this. I thought I smelled a rat.”
“It seems really serious.”
He nods. “I’ll do a little digging tomorrow.”
I grab his arm. “Be careful. Don’t go seeking out trouble just
to impress me. I’ll make out with you regardless.”
Lawrence nods. “Very good to know.” Then his smile fades.” But
maybe I’m bringing trouble just by knowing this information.”
“Don’t talk like that,” I say, cringing.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be morbid.”
“This is useful information,” I say. “And if we’re cautious and
thorough, it could be what saves your life.”
He presses his hand over mine. “I want to believe that.”
“I won’t give up on you, Lawrence. I really believe this is my
destiny. And maybe…”
My voice drops off, and he frowns a little. “Maybe what?”
“I don’t know,” I say hesitantly, looking down at my feet.
“No, tell me.”
“It’s just… I can’t help but think…” The right words seem
lost to me. “If fate is preventing us from seeing each other anywhere but on this beach, then maybe after I save you, we can see each other beyond this beach.”
I almost don’t dare look up at him. When I do, he watches
me as if trying to understand. “You mean, you think we’d be
able to travel into each other’s times?”
My face warms. “It’s a stupid thought.”
Lawrence’s voice is gentle. “No, it isn’t.”
“It is. Time travel is impossible.”
“And yet, here we are, a hundred years apart and in each
other’s arms.”
A thrill of energy passes through me, and our eyes meet.
“What if you’re right?” he says. “Do you know what it would
mean?”
“It means that you and I could be…”
“Together,” he says softly, lifting my hand to interlock with
his own. “Truly together. With nothing keeping us apart.”
Chapter 2o
Lawrence
f I could, I’d spend every one of my five days left—
I
every spare minute—on that beach with Cassandra.
She’s like a tonic to me, healing all of my fears. I want to sit
with her, basking in her warmth and beauty. But life, unfortunately, moves on. And I have to present the appearance of normalcy to those around me. One of them being Charles.
I agreed forever ago to meet him at the club today. I’d back out, if not for the sobering thought that this might be the last
time I see him. So, somewhat grudgingly, I dress for the day
and head out to the sunny acres of Crest Harbor’s most exclusive country club.
Charles is waiting for me at the bar when I arrive. Naturally.
Sharp in a white linen suit, he sips a Bloody Mary and eyes a
nearby table of well-heeled club girls. They peer up from under
the brims of their cloche hats and giggle to each other.
“Too pretty for you,” I say to Charles as I grab the bar stool next to him.
“Quiet,” he mutters. “I think I almost have them fooled.”