Page 65 of Risky Move

“Have a safe trip,” she said as Tom moved behind her to close the car’s back door. “Text us when you get there.”

* * *

Tom looked at Cassie as they walked back inside. Her hair was beautifully disheveled, and he noticed that she flicked tears from her eyes.

“I will miss Danny and Jen,” Cassie said. “I didn’t think I would get so emotional.”

Tom slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him for a quick kiss. “They squirm their way into our hearts.” Tom glanced at his watch as he opened the door. “Are you going to get back to sleep?”

Just the mention of the word caused Cassie to bite back a yawn. “Hopefully…what about you?”

“I thought I’d check in on my patients, then clear my schedule for the day. Do you and Lauren have plans?”

“Not today. Dave’s planned some kind of surprise for her. They’ll be out all day, maybe overnight. Big secret.”

“So, we’re home alone?”

“As it appears.” Cassie’s eyes danced with mischief. “Any plans foryourfree day?”

“I may have some ideas—if you’re interested in an adventure?”

“Tell me more, doctor.”

Tom shook his head. “Nope, this would be a surprise adventure. You trust me?”

Cassie giggled. “Do I have any reason not to?”

“Hope not,” Tom allowed a smirk to cross his face. “I should be back in about two hours—can you be ready?”

“Depends. Anything particular I need to know? What to wear? Do I need to pack a cooler? Make some sandwiches?”

“Comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, definitely casual.” He cupped her chin in his hand. “Maybe a change of clothes.” He punctuated his answer with a sweet kiss. “Two hours?”

Cassie nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”

Her imagination piqued by the upcoming adventure, Cassie cleaned her room and bathroom, tidied the twins’ play area, and took her phone to the sunroom. The beautifully decorated Christmas tree sparkled against the sun, and she saw the reflection from the pool just on the other side of the glass wall. If she didn’t see decorations everywhere she went, Cassie would not even think about Christmas.Eighty degrees and sunny on Christmas Eve? That’s July in Vancouver—if we’re lucky.

She called Amelie to wish her a Merry Christmas. She knew her friend was flying to Montréal soon to spend the holidays with her family.

“Joyeux Noel,Cassie,” Amelie chirped in greeting.

“Toi aussi?” Cassie guessed.You too?“I hope Christmas is incredible with your family.”

“Er, I just looked at the weather forecast. Freezing rain turning to snow. And I’m leaving Tampa, why?”

“You’ll love seeing your family—you know that.” Cassie shoved thoughts of her fractured family aside. “It can’t be that much colder than Paris.”

She heard Amelie laugh. “Paris gets plenty cold, but it’s so magical this time of year, with all the sparkling lights around the city. I’d walk up the boulevards every evening, even the Champs, if it wasn’t too congested with tourists.” Amelie sighed. “Ten days home feels like an eternity.”

“But will you return to Tampa? Or did you decide to head back to Paris?”

“Oh, definitely coming back to Tampa, Cassie. I’m thinking about applying to the college where you’ll take classes.”

“Seriously? What about Paris?”

“Can I share a secret with you? No one knows. I don’t wantanyoneto know.”

“You can trust me.” While Amelie paused, Cassie’s mind raced through scenarios.Giving up her dream for mystery man, Chance? Too homesick to return to Paris? Pregnant?

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