Page 118 of Risky Move

“I missed you so much!” Cassie said, jumping into his arms as soon as he exited the car.

“Perfect welcome after a double shift.” Tom lifted her off her feet, so they were eye-to-eye. “I missed you, too, Princess Cassie.” Their kiss may have continued indefinitely had not another car slowly passed the house. “Later,” Tom said, brushing his fingers across her cheek.

He reached into the car and gave her the large bouquet of spring blooms, followed by the bottle of wine. “To celebrate successful mid-terms.”

“And an entire weekend off for my hot doc.” Cassie looked up at him as she smelled the blooms. “No changes in your schedule?”

“None.” He kissed her cheek. “Get the flowers in water—I’ll meet you inside, babe.”

* * *

Cassie’s conversation with Lauren had replayed in her mind all week. She needed to talk with Tom but feared he’d encourage her to move to Toronto.I don’t want to totally rule out Toronto, but do I want to live so far away from family and Tom? Truly on my own? How did Lauren do it? She had no support growing up, but she thrived once she moved so far away. Between growing up as a “Daddy’s Girl” and Mom smothering me and never wanting me to grow up, the only time I did something in my own—“disappearing” for twenty-four hours at a four-star hotel—colossal fail. Then, as soon as I graduated, I moved to Tampa knowing I’d have Lauren and Dave nearby. That rapidly expanded to the Chadwicks…especially Tom.

Cassie arranged the flowers in one of Lauren’s vases, then carried it to the table she’d set overlooking the screen porch. Maybe she needed to admit that it frightened her to think of putting herself thousands of miles from her support system. She’d checked—Toronto was over thirteen-hundred miles from Tampa; about twice that to Vancouver.Pretty scary if anything happened.

Couldn’t she learn independence living on campus in Tampa or moving three hours away to Fort Myers…or even the University of Florida or Florida State?Adulting’s so much more complicated than I imagined. I loved my job, Tampa, and beginning classes downtown. Then everything changed.

She felt Tom’s hands grip her shoulders and pulled her back against him. “Where’d you go, Cassie? You look like you’re a million miles away.”

She leaned her head back against his shoulder and angled her face to smile at him. “No, I’m right here with you. Need help with dinner?”

“Under control. Join me for a glass of wine?”

“Of course.”

64

Cassie continued her internal debate through dinner. Tom deserved to know her options for school, but what if he agreed with her mother that the Toronto offer overshadowed all other school choices and made them insignificant?

After they’d cleared the meal and each carried a glass of wine to the porch, Tom broke the ice. “Babe, what’s weighing on your mind?”

She leaned to kiss his cheek before sitting on the wicker loveseat beside him. “That obvious? I’m sorry if I’ve seemed distant…I do need to get your opinion on something. I’ve been putting it off. Nothing serious; I’m just confused.”

He took her hand. “Maybe I can help, sweetheart. Or just listen.”

“You know my plans to take classes full-time next semester and hopefully live on campus…”

“Or we get an apartment,” he added.

“Mm, yes, that.” Cassie’s smile felt genuine. “Complication. My mom forwarded an acceptance package from the University in Toronto—scholarship and work-study.”

“Congratulations, Cass. That’s impressive. Are you excited?”

Cassie shrugged and made a face. “Honestly, not at all. I guess I’m flattered, but now all I feel is pressure to accept it.”

“How so?” Tom pulled her to his side, and Cassie snuggled against him.

“I thought I had everything figured out. Complete my core courses in Tampa, then decide on my major…I started looking at the universities in Fort Myers, too. Then this offer comes out of nowhere…My mom’s over the moon about it. She’s finally proud of me, and for once, I exceeded her expectations.”

“And you don’t want to disappoint her?”

“Not that so much. Lauren said leaving Vancouver for Toronto allowed her to live independently, make her own decisions, gain self-confidence, make new friends.” Cassie grasped Tom’s arm that held her securely against his side. “Moving to Tampa helped me to feel independent, but with security, knowing Lauren and Dave live so close. And now I have you.” She pulled away long enough to kiss him. “Just thinking about attending school in Fort Myers makes me anxious, but you’re only a couple of hours away. Moving all the way to Toronto terrifies me.” She turned to meet his eyes and read the empathy and concern.

“Do you want to visit the campus? I’ll fly up there with you—I need to see my parents soon. Would that help at all?”

“My parents will know I seriously considered it. You’d do that for me?”

“In a heartbeat.” Tom kissed her forehead. “I’d enjoy having the chance to introduce you to my parents, show you my old stomping grounds, see a few of my professors. You could tour the communication and education buildings, check out the dorms. Then compare it with your other options—it might help you make your choice.”

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