Page 56 of Risky Move

Random text questions arrived at free moments, and they’d compare answers. Cassie learned so much more about Tom through this game. They’d agreed that nothing was off-limits, but Tom had yet to pose a question that Cassie was reluctant to answer. Rather than bombard him with questions, Cassie started a list on her iPad, adding to it whenever a thought crossed her mind.

Finally, the stars aligned after the twins’ first birthday party. Just a small group of friends gathered for a quiet celebration. Kelly and John, Terri and Steve, Lauren and Dave, Tom, and the proud parents reminisced about the surprise birth six weeks before Caryn’s due date. Caryn and Andrew had hoped that the mandated bed rest, first at home then at the hospital, would successfully postpone labor until the thirty-sixth or thirty-seventh week. The twins stubbornly refused to go along with the plan and entered the world at thirty-four weeks.

Although they joked about it now, Cassie imagined Caryn experiencing premature labor—so frightening. She and Andrew then learned the babies needed delivery via C-Section because Caryn’s blood pressure had spiked. Cassie didn’t know both babies had spent a week in the NICU or that while Jenna weighed only five pounds, Daniel was a tiny four pounds, six ounces. Not that anyone would believe that a year later. Danny outweighed his sister, and his height had reached the ninetieth percentile.

Everyone shared baby pictures, including many Cassie had not yet seen. She held a photo taken in the NICU the day they were born, then leaned toward Tom so he could see it. “They were so tiny.”

“Tiny, but both had great lungs. That was the biggest fear—that their lungs might not be ready to function on their own.” He met Cassie’s eyes. “Lung function and capacity has never presented a problem.”

On cue, Daniel squawked loudly, followed a second later by Jenna.

“Time for some birthday cake?” Andrew asked Caryn.

“Sure, I’ll get it.” Caryn passed Jenna to Kelly’s arms. “We can sit in the sunroom.”

Cassie stood. “I’ll help you.”

Two small cakes, decorated with bright balloons and a family-sized sheet cake coordinated with the paper plates and napkins. “I need to enjoy every minute of this,” Caryn commented. “In a couple years, we’ll be entertaining playgroup friends.”

Andrew had moved the highchairs near the table, and Caryn placed the small cakes in front of each. She and Andrew had followed the Chadwick family tradition and let the one-year-olds self-serve their cake. Cassie had seen the photos of young Andrew and Tom covered in cake, both sporting delighted expressions. Andrew had covered the floor beneath the highchairs with a drop cloth and joked that the twins could rinse off in the pool afterward.

Cassie had Caryn’s camera and stood aside as everyone took seats around the table. Tom caught her eye and nodded toward the seat beside him. That simple gesture warmed her heart. They had yet to enjoy an evening together—still, Cassie soaked up all the affectionate gestures, private comments, and thoughtful actions. No one noticed—or if they did, said anything. She wanted to enjoy every second of this party, but she couldn’t wait for their evening together.

30

Tom mentioned their plans for the evening to Caryn and Andrew, to avoid any awkwardness when he and Cassie left for dinner. He suggested she dress casually, as he hoped they could walk on the beach following dinner.

“Tell me you’re not on call,” Andrew commented when Tom wandered into the kitchen. Although the twins had crashed early after the day’s excitement, Andrew and Caryn were still finding pieces of cake and icing as far away as the kitchen.

“Back-up to the back-up.” Tom tried to suppress a smile. “Which one has the pitching arm? My bet’s on Jenna.”

Caryn shook her head. “That didn’t go exactly as planned. Just wait until your parents see the photos. They out-did both of you mashing their cakes.” Tom saw her cut her eyes toward Andrew, taking in his not-so-disguised smirk.

“At least the icing complemented my highlights today,” Cassie said as she came up behind them. Tom sensed nervousness behind the bright smile and reached for her hand.

“You’re such a good sport,” Caryn said. “That was above and beyond, letting them smear cake and icing on your face.”

“I just hope I didn’t miss any remnants.” She laughed when Tom pretended to check her hair.

“You’re good. And you look gorgeous,” Tom added, taking in the skinny jeans and a camisole top under a robin’s egg blue shirt. He watched the color rise in her cheeks, even as she replied, “You clean up very well, too, doctor.”

Tom offered Cassie his arm. “Don’t wait up for us.”

“Like there’s a chance we could,” Andrew retorted. “As soon as we remove all cake residue—hopefully in the not-too-distant future—sleep is calling.”

“I’ll help double-check tomorrow,” Cassie promised.

“No, you won’t,” Caryn said, her voice stern. “You have a great time. You both earned it.”

* * *

“That was relatively painless,” Cassie said as Tom opened the car door for her. “Did you tell them about our plans?”

“I mentioned something about it.” She watched as a smile hinted at the corners of his mouth. “Neither seemed surprised nor had any objections.”

Cassie watched as he walked around to the other door. The black polo shirt hugged his body in all the right places. She’d seen him in swim trunks and frequently had appreciated his six-or-eight-pack abs, broad shoulders, and the chest she knew was rock-solid. But the shirt sleeves only accented his biceps in a way that made her heart beat a little faster—but not as rapidly as it raced whenever he touched her.

“Do you enjoy seafood? Any allergies?” Tom asked as they drove toward town.

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