Page 35 of Risky Move

Over the following days, neither Tom nor Cassie mentioned the “snowball fight,” and both acted as if nothing had changed between them. However, Tom’s thoughts wandered to Cassie unexpectedly throughout the day.What guy wouldn’t be attracted to her?He’d seen the hope and invitation in her eyes, and he would have kissed her if Caryn and Andrew hadn’t interrupted.Took that chance once before. Nothing’s changed since then. Any misstep and Cassie could leave her job, Caryn would no longer have her nanny, and I’d need to look for a new place to live. Not to mention incurring Lauren’s wrath. We played with fire once before and no one knows, but that luck could turn in an instant.

The problem?Cassie’s not only drop-dead gorgeous, she’s also a free spirit. Full of energy and positivity that never dims.He enjoyed her optimistic personality, which only added to her enticing aura. She made Tom realize there’s more to life than existing in the halls of the hospital. As long as he and Katie had dated each other casually, their infrequent free evenings inevitably found them discussing work. He wanted a life outside medicine and the hospital.

Cassie made him laugh, maybe feel his age again? With her, he could leave the hospital behind and just enjoy life as a twenty-something. The age difference didn’t bother him—five or six years?Not much different than Andrew and Caryn.

His personal life had languished while he focused on his education. When Andrew suffered the brain injury, Tom moved to Tampa to support Andrew and Caryn through the fifteen-month rehabilitation program. During that period, he also entered the neurology residency program, which also had its own demanding schedule.

When Andrew first entered the NHL, Tom had enjoyed going out with him after games. He had his share of girls hitting on him, and he made the most of it for a while. When the pre-med studies demanded more and more of his time, Tom reluctantly excused himself from most team gatherings. Soon, he had no free time to even think about girls, much less begin a relationship.

He had to talk with Andrew and Caryn—and Lauren—before exploring any kind of non-platonic relationship with Cassie. She may have no desire to go out with him, could be thinking about the single guys on the Suns.Harmless flirting? She might not even think about me that way. But did she also feel that electrical current when our hands touched?Cassie could see him as honorary big-brother, the same relationship he enjoyed with Caryn and Lauren. But neither of his “little sisters” had ever produced that spark, and he definitely did not look at Cassie in that way.

* * *

Cassie invited Amelie to spend an afternoon at the Chadwick’s after Caryn had mentioned that Amelie might feel lonely with the Suns on a four-game road trip. Tom offered to pick her up on his way home from the hospital, saving Cassie the trip, and suddenly the afternoon by the pool morphed into an impromptu get together.

“You’re sure, Caryn? Feels like I’m slacking off on my job?” Cassie asked for the tenth time.

“How so?”

“I should help you feed Jenna and Daniel dinner and get them ready for bed instead of hanging out with a friend.”

“Don’t worry about me, Cassie.” Caryn laugh was lighthearted. “I have plenty of back-up. Not sure what you and Amelie have planned, but Tom’s grilling barbecue for Terri, Kelly, Lauren, and me. You’re welcome to join us.”

Cassie smiled as she flashed on the last meal he’d cooked for her. “Can’t think of a better option than that!”Plus, no barhopping with Amelie and perhaps extra time with Tom. Sweet.

Within the hour, Cassie regretted extending the invitation. Amelie openly flirted with Tom and entertained the entire group with tales about student life in Paris.If she bats those eyes one more time when she looks at him, I’ll scream. So obvious.She couldn’t read Tom’s expression, but he laughed with everyone else as Amelie spun her stories.

Lauren caught Cassie’s expression and winked before she spoke. “I guess you’re eager to get back to Paris. I loved visiting a few days after our cruise. I think I could spend months as a Parisienne.”

“We all could,” Kelly added. “You grew up in Québéc, so communicating in French is not a difficulty for you?”

“Maybe just a little. I had to lose my Québécois accent—no one understood me. Or chose to understand me. I did a quick immersion course the week before classes started.”

“My grandparents are native Montréal,” Caryn said. “My grandmother’s bi-lingual but will only speak Parisienne French. Drew practiced for hours with me before he met her the first time.”

Lauren smiled. “Madame Martineau. I’ll never forget your wedding. You know how bad my French is, Caryn. When we went to the brunch she hosted the morning after the wedding, I panicked when she spoke to me. Luckily, Marty was beside me—his French is flawless.” She bit back a laugh. “As hungover as I felt, I doubt I’d have been able to stand upright, much less speak French without him.”

“So, what’s his name, Dave or Marty?” Amelie asked. “You speak of both, and I’m wondering if you have two husbands.”

Cassie watched Lauren shake her head and attempt to suppress laughter. “One is plenty for me, thank you. Dave is his given name, but I started calling him Marty when I heard his teammates in St. Louis use that nickname. I’m about the only one who uses that anymore—the Suns christened him Martini.”

“I love nicknames!” Amelie gushed. “Some are hilarious.” She looked at Kelly. “When I hear someone call your husband ‘Captain Jack,’ I picture him just like Johnny Depp.”

“Yeah, he’s not fond of that one…but it could be worse, I guess.” Kelly helped herself to another piece of chicken. “Compliments to our chef.”

“Do you deliver?” Amelie asked Tom, an inviting smile crossing her face.

“Sorry, no time for that.” Tom returned the smile when he responded.

Cassie couldn’t resist interrupting the flirt fest. “So, Amelie, I meant to ask you. Anything new with Chance?” She caught Lauren’s smirk from the corner of her eye, even as she tried to cover it by sipping her wine.

“Are you seeing that gorgeous man?” Terri’s eyes widened. “Just looking at him lights a fire...he’s got that smoldering French thing going.”

Amelie shot a look—irritation?—at Cassie. “Chance is fun…if you like bad boys.” She locked eyes with Tom as she spoke, a smile flirting at her mouth. “Nothing serious. Just fun.”

Cassie watched Tom as he stood to clear the table. “Can I get anything for anyone? More wine?”

Terri nodded, extending her glass, “Please. As always, you prepared a fantastic feast. You’re our Top Chef.”

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