Free Curse of the Wickeds (The Cinderella Society, Episode 2) by Kay Cassidy

from the hall, a mug of hot cocoa warming her hands. She took one look at me and gave a fleeting smile. “Is he The One?”
    “I hope so.”
    She nodded her head and blew on the steaming mug I could see was laced with marshmallows of her own. “God help us.”

Chapter Fourteen

    I took the most luxurious bath imaginable, indulging in two of Mom’s fizzy apricot tabs and a full cap of my almond oil bubble bath. I rested my head on the spa pillow and replayed every minute of our date (okay, I replayed the kissing part several times) until the water was lukewarm and Mom was knocking to ask if I was a prune yet.
    By the time I’d dried off, I was completely exhausted, exhilarated, and on emotional overdrive. It would be Tuesday before I managed to get any sleep, at the rate I was going. I turned on my computer to see if Sarah Jane had e-mailed the schedule for our next few practices. Ever on the ball, she had. I just hoped Lexy wouldn’t be at all of them.
    I scanned the junk that had snuck through my spam filter, deleting it before closing down. My mouse pointer hovered over Shut Down when an IM popped up.

    First&Goal: tuesday’s too long... i’ll find a way to be there on sunday

    My butterflies fluttered their approval. Definitely The One.
     
    WillCheer4Food: that would be awesome  

    First&Goal: i don’t think i can sleep tonight
    First&Goal: will u be up for a while?

    Mom knocked, and I closed the lid to my laptop.  
    “We’re going to bed, honey. I’m glad you had fun on your date.” She shuffled over and brushed the bangs off my forehead in her Mom-ish way, so different than when Ryan had done it.
    I gave her a hug, thinking about Mrs. Steele. “Get some sleep for the little guys.”
    Mom’s hand supported her back as she made her way to the door. “I would if they’d stop playing soccer with my bladder.”  
    “Yuck, Mom. TMI.”
    “I’ll try to keep the I to myself. Oh, can you help me pick out a rocking chair for the twins’ room tomorrow? I thought you’d want a say, since you’ll be helping out with feedings.”
    The feeding thing was news to me, and I felt the lingering resentment simmering in my stomach. I’m not the hired help, I wanted to say. “I already have plans. You can pick out whatever you want.”
    “But I want you to be comfortable in it.” She leaned against the door frame. “You’re back to being gone again all the time. I feel like I never get to see you.”
    Except when she needed me to do something for the babies. “That’s because I finally have a life.” It came out like a dig, even though I tried to keep my tone in check. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I’m happy. Can’t you just be happy for me too?”
    “I’m always happy if you’re happy, Jess. How could you ever think I’m not? I know we haven’t always . . .”  
    Her voice drifted away, cutting off the line of questioning. I breathed a tiny sigh of relief. Now wasn’t the time.  
    Mom turned and waddled out the door, looking sad. “Not too late,” she reminded me and clicked the door closed.
    I listened to her feet retreat down the hall.

    WillCheer4Food: sorry. parents are off to bed.

    First&Goal: can i call u?
    First&Goal: i want to hear your voice

    WillCheer4Food: sure

    I grabbed my cell and went into my closet, camping out on the floor so I wouldn’t disturb the parental sleeping beauties. I answered it on the first vibrate. “Hey.”
    “Hey, beautiful.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “Am I crazy to be calling?”
    Calling this late? Calling this soon? Calling at all? Why were guys so cryptic???
    “I’m glad you did,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I had fun tonight.”
    “Me too. Our dates are so different.”
    “Well, yeah, unless you save people’s lives every time.” I said it without thinking and smacked my forehead for being such an idiot. “Sorry. I know you don’t want to talk about it.”
    “I do.” He sounded sad. “I just can’t. Not