Pantheon Girls by Jean Copeland

Author:Jean Copeland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2023-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“I hope I didn’t twist your arm to meet me.” Deana said it playfully, sensing Cassie wasn’t as carefree as usual. It had taken several phone calls over several weeks to get her to agree to go to lunch with her.

“Nah. I’ve just been busy with the club,” Cassie said rather unconvincingly. “How have you been?”

“Fine. I’ve just missed your company. We always have such scintillating conversations. I especially love your take on politics.”

Cassie giggled. “You don’t go home and lay my opinions on your husband, do you?”

She shook her head. “We stopped talking politics as dinner conversation when I told him I hope George W. Bush doesn’t win in November.”

“You’re a Gore woman? That must make for interesting pillow talk.”

“Like I said, we don’t talk politics anymore. It’s his thing, and I just supported him. But he doesn’t know what I do when I close the voting-booth curtain.”

Cassie giggled again. Her icy exterior was starting to melt, and Deana basked in the warmth of her attention. At times emotive and at others aloof, Cassie Burke kept her guessing. A young woman full of maturity and intelligence beyond her years, she made Deana feel heard and understood in a way her husband had never been able to. Or had never tried to.

“I so respect a woman who has her own political beliefs and doesn’t just go with what her husband tells her,” Cassie said. “That’s such an outdated custom.”

“It’s even more of a challenge when her husband makes a career out of it. But I’m glad I met you. You’ve opened my eyes to how women are so underserved in the political arena. We need to do a better job of making our voices heard.”

“Well, I’m glad my minor in political science hasn’t completely gone to waste.”

“Do you think if you didn’t own Pantheon, you’d be in a career where you’d utilize it more?”

“That was the original plan. Then when Lorna bought the club, I just fell into the role of manager.” Cassie’s demeanor brightened. “I definitely don’t see myself being a nightclub owner that much longer.”

“Are you still thinking of selling the club?”

Cassie nodded. “I’ve had inquiries from developers before. Someone wants to turn the building into high-end apartments. Someone else wanted to turn it into retail space.”

“Sounds like you’ll make a nice profit to get you started on your next venture, whatever it may be.”

“I’ve been kicking around some ideas.”

“I look forward to hearing about them.”

Cassie smiled, but something was definitely off. Was she still upset about the kiss at the beach club? She thought they’d settled it that night. Whatever it was, Deana couldn’t leave it hanging between them.

“Is everything okay, Cass?”

“Yeah. Do I not seem okay?”

“You don’t seem yourself. You seem preoccupied.” Deana’s greatest fear was that Cassie’s ex would sail back into her life and sweep her off her feet. It had been only six or seven months since they broke up. Maybe all they’d needed was some time apart.

“I have a few things on my mind, but I’ll be fine.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.