Free Five (Elemental Enmity Series Book I) by Christie Rich

chance, but the minute he mentioned me going with him to the game, my mind short circuited. It had been too busy reeling to think clearly enough to worry about Cassie.
    Cassie’s cheeks rose perkily in a smile. Her raven curls bounced as she clasped her hands together. “I hope so.”
    Seeing her this animated made my smile bigger. I craved to settle into one of our comfortable conversations. It wouldn’t hurt to try again. “How have you been, Cass?”
    Her tone leaked frustration. “Fine.”
    I shook my head at her. I hadn’t brought up that rider or pegasus in days, yet worry still clouded her normally bright eyes. “What’s with you? Since when did you start answering questions with one syllable?”
    She shrugged and plopped onto the crisp sofa that had been delivered yesterday morning. I thought we’d get a used one somewhere, but this was straight from the showroom. The winter white chenille contrasted well with the hot pink and lime green of her bedspread. In fact, the only thing that wasn’t coordinated perfectly was my bunk. I was kind of surprised she didn’t throw a fit when I insisted on keeping my favorite quilt.
    Aunt Grace had given it to me a few years ago. I asked her when she had found time to make it. She claimed she bought it, but I knew better. She would have never watched me so intently when I opened the package if that had been the case.
    Cassie hugged her knees then picked at a fringed hole in her sleeve. “I don’t know what to say. Unlike you, I didn’t get to meet a great guy yesterday. You don’t even care about guys right now. How fair is that?”
    I shrugged. “If Zach doesn’t know anyone, I’ll ask Natalie.”
    She stood up, shoving her hands into her pockets. “That’s another thing. When have you had time to make new friends without me? You’re going to be gone most of the time from now on, and I won’t have anyone to hang out with.” She fully glared at me now. “And another thing, since you brought it up. I really don’t like any of my classes.”
    Wow. Where had that come from? I refused to feel bad about trying to take care of myself. She thought I should be fine with her parents paying for my expenses as well as hers. I just couldn’t do that and like myself. “I won’t be working that much, and you know it. You’ll hardly even realize I’m gone.”
    “So you say.” She plopped back down and started surfing TV channels distractedly.
    I watched her for a moment, but she wouldn’t look at me again. We had to get past this barrier. Time for a different approach. “What are you wearing to the ga—?”
    She flicked the TV off faster than I could get the words out. The remote fell out of her hands like last week’s trash. This was the first time real excitement shone in her eyes since the day we arrived here. Her smile could have lit up Manhattan. “I was thinking we should go to the gift shop. You know, show some spirit.”
    I could deal with shopping if it would keep that smile on her face. “What are you waiting for?”
    She didn’t even answer. She bolted to get her purse and turned to me eagerly.
    We made the fairly long walk to Notre Dame because Cassie didn’t like the selection in our store. She had been too impatient to wait for a shuttle, and we were nowhere near my car.
    I didn’t mind. I loved being in nature, and I hadn’t dared go out alone since I met that guy in the woods. It had been two weeks already; I missed my runs.
    The beauty of campus struck me again. The trees on the Avenue swayed in the fresh breeze as glimmering light filtered through the leaves.
    Leaving my new sanctuary left me decidedly uneasy, but I had to go to Notre Dame sometime. Better to rip off the bandage than to lull myself into a false sense of safety. Besides, we were around so many people, how could fae lords, if they existed, and I still wasn’t saying they did, do anything to me here? I didn’t know why I was still so worried. I reminded myself once again