Free Idolize (Dark Storm Book 1) by Maggie Mundy

in, day out. A lot of elderly people become obsessed with their bowels. It’s most fatiguing to listen to, especially if you are trying to eat.”
    Cassi cracked up listening to Audrey.
    “Can I have a cupcake?” Tommy said.
    “Please. I reckon first we’ll sing you 'Happy Birthday',” Cassi said as she wagged a finger at him.
    “Please,” Tommy said as he gave Sasha puppy dog eyes that would get him what he wanted every time.
    They all sang to him and he blew out a candle on a cupcake. Sasha nodded. Tommy took a cake and started to demolish the treat. Cassi wasn’t sure how much went in his mouth, considering the blue icing was all over his face by the time he was finished.
    Audrey picked up one of the offered cupcakes. “I think you could sell this array of food you have provided as a gourmet picnic. People love it these days if someone else does the work, but it makes them look good. Of course you would need to put bran in them for the oldies at the village.”
    Audrey laughed, then closed her eyes and took a bite.
    “It sounds like a wonderful idea, but it would need money and we just make enough to cover the rent and food as it is,” Sasha replied, as she started to pack away.
    Cassi’s cell phone went again, but she decided not to check it.
    As they stood up Sasha whispered, “Who keeps texting you?”
    “No one. It’s just some company asking me to update apps or something. I’ll sort it out when we get home.”
    What would she do now the moment was here? She really didn’t think he would still want to meet her after the two weeks passed. Could he possibly be as keen as she was?
    They continued around the zoo with Tommy enjoying everything, including the ice cream. She was one of those odd people who didn’t like ice cream. Now chocolate, that was something she could never give up. It had been a wonderful day, and Audrey gave them all a hug when they dropped her off at the village. She also gave Tommy a big turtle toy she’d bought at the zoo shop. He promised to draw a picture of it for her. Again, Audrey reminded her of the real grandmother he didn’t know.
    Back home, Cassi got Tommy in the bath, but knew he would be in bed early tonight. He was exhausted but would not stop talking about gorillas, rhinos, and turtles. Once he was in his pajamas, she read him two books as he cuddled his new turtle toy. He was asleep before she got to the end of the second story.
    When she walked back out to the living room, Sasha poured her a glass of wine. From the look of her friend’s pursed lips, Cassi sensed an interrogation was looming. She also saw her cell was on the counter and hoped it hadn’t gone off again while she was settling Tommy down. She hadn’t sent Declan a message back, mainly because she wasn’t sure what to say. Answering meant taking the next step and she was scared. She picked up her wine and phone and then settled on the couch. Sasha flopped down beside her.
    “Okay. Spill the beans.”
    “What do you mean?” Cassi bit her bottom lip, not wanting to say anything.
    “It’s me, Sasha, you’re talking to. You’ve been getting texts today, and keeping secrets from me as to who they’re from.”
    “I told you it was a telephone app thing.”
    “Yeah, and my name is Dumbo. I accept things have been quiet the last two weeks, but before that you were preoccupied. Sometimes I’d have to say things three times before you heard me. Plus, I could swear if I didn’t know you were alone in your room, I’d have thought you were talking half the night to somebody, or having sex.”
    Cassi choked on her wine she was sipping on and spat it back out. Sasha sat back.
    “Oh my God. I’m right. You’ve been sexting someone, or you’ve been having phone sex. I know we need more money, but you haven’t signed up to be one of the women on the other end of the line have you?” Sasha shook her head.
    “I can assure you I am not working on a phone-sex line. Though if the money really is that