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been dying to know what he looked like. It would make her feel closer to him. Whenever she thought of him she’d be able to picture him as he was, not just the way she’d imagined him to be.
    Clicking on a file, she quickly searched through her folder of pictures, choosing and discarding several before she settled on one that had been taken a few months ago at her Uncle Brandon’s birthday. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and her braces were barely visible. She wore her favorite little black party dress that made her feel so grown-up and emphasized the coloring of her golden-blond hair. But best of all, her new push-up bra had given her a cleavage that until then, she’d only dreamed about.
    A few short clicks later and the photo uploaded. She didn’t have to wait long for his response.
    I always knew you would be beautiful.
    Happiness spread through her, leaving her feeling giddy. He couldn’t have said anything better. She typed a reply.
    You’re so incredibly sweet.
    Just wait until you meet me.
    Her heart skipped a beat.
    I can’t wait .
    Me, either, but first, I’ll send you a picture. Fair’s fair, after all.
    Cassie held her breath in anticipation. Less than a minute later, a picture appeared on her screen. The air left her body in a rush. She stared in surprise. Oh God, he was gorgeous. Even cuter than Uncle Brandon.
    Warm brown eyes sparkled out of a Hollywood-handsome face that showed the first signs of the man he would become. Shadow darkened his cheeks and she realized it was stubble. Stubble? Wow, he shaved. The only boys she knew who shaved were in the senior years, at least four or five years older than she was.
    She tugged the keyboard toward her.
    You look so much older than fifteen. You’re so sexy.
    Her fingers stumbled over the last word and she blushed. Oh, God, what if he thought her too forward? She didn’t have to wait long for his reply.
    I’m so glad you think so. I hope I don’t look too old for you. I’ve been shaving for nearly a year. A gift from my Italian heritage. Most people think I’m at least seventeen.
    Cassie smiled and nodded at her screen.
    I was thinking exactly the same thing, she typed .
    Hey, I’d never lie to you. You know that, don’t you?
    Cassie stared at the words and her heart swelled.
    Of course, I do.
    Do you trust me?
    She didn’t hesitate.
    With my life.
    His next words filled her with emotion.
    You make my heart smile.
    Cassie thought she’d burst with happiness. How had she gotten so lucky? How had she, plain old Cassandra Lillian Munro, stumbled across the most gorgeous, wonderful, funny guy in the whole wide world and even better, a guy who liked her. Really likedher. He was her first boyfriend. Well, second, but holding hands with Warren White in the fifth grade didn’t really count and it didn’t even compare to the delicious feelings that filled her heart at the thought of Justin.
    She hugged herself and smiled, embracing the happiness that bubbled up inside her.
    Life didn’t get any better. She couldn’t wait to tell the girls.
    * * *
    He stared at the picture on his screen and fondled his crotch. She was everything he’d imagined. Big blue eyes, a wide smile, flawless skin all surrounded by a halo of white-blond hair. She was the quintessential girl next door. Perhaps that was why she looked vaguely familiar?
    Need tightened his groin. His cock twitched. With her picture enlarged before him, he tugged down his zipper.

 
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Alex squared her shoulders and stared up at the small mountain of stairs that led into the team’s squad room. Another night shift, her last one before she had time off. Twelve hours and it would be over, at least for a couple of days. She’d be free to sleep in, take Sam to the park, touch up the highlights in her hair, talk to her mother. It felt like they’d barely spoken the last couple of weeks, doing not much more than passing in the night—or morning, as it had been lately. She’d