After the Fall

AUSTIN

She’s this enigma.
A beautiful mess.
A brilliant mind with a sharp tongue.
Our first meeting, she stopped me in my tracks.
But she wants nothing to do with me.

CASSIE

He’s only a guy.
Gorgeous with a million-dollar smile . . .
But still, a guy.
I can ignore the unfamiliar softness of his brown eyes.
I can ignore the way he walks, stops, and stares as though he’s waiting for something.
He’ll lose interest. They always do once they know they’ll get nothing from me . . .

**