Page 99 of Falling for the Boss's Son

“Jessica wants Cassie to find someone who’ll make her happy. Who’ll take care of her.” David glanced over at Jesse. “She’s trying to decide whether you might be that guy, but she’s not sure.”

Before Jesse could decide how to respond to that, David continued. “Cassie’s been hurt in the past. I’m not sure how much she’s told you…”

He let the sentence hang and Jesse knew he was being tested. David may be Cassie’s stepfather, but he seemed to care about her. “I’m aware.”

David nodded. “She deserves someone who will cherish her.”

“Yes, she does.”

The other man held his gaze for a long moment. “What do your parents think of the two of you dating?”

Somehow Jesse wasn’t expecting this level of questioning from Cassie’s stepfather. Especially when he’d been so laid-back during dinner. “My parents like Cassie. While my dad’s aware of the potential pitfalls of perusing a relationship given our positions, he understands some things, despite the obstacles, are worth perusing.”

“Is that how you see it? An obstacle?”

Jesse wasn’t a teenager, and he knew a trap was being laid when he saw it. “Anything in life worth your time and energy has challenges one must overcome. Being the son of the man Cassie works for does present some interesting situations at work, but it can be navigated. I’m not one to shy away from something I want.”

He received another long, pensive look from David. “Did Cassie tell you how I met her mother?”

“Not the details, no. I know she was still rather young when her dad and mom divorced.”

David nodded. “Jessica worked for my best friend. I knew the moment I saw her that she was the one. The problem was, she was married to someone else.”

Cassie had implied her mom had started seeing David not long after her parents had separated, but he hadn’t realized something had been going on before that.

“I know what you’re thinking,” David said, pulling Jesse out of his thoughts. “Jessica was faithful to Cassie’s father until their divorce was final.” He paused. “As much as it frustrated me at the time, looking back, I understand her reasons.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Jesse was genuinely curious. David didn’t know him.

“I want you to understand where Jessica and I are coming from. We both believe love is worth fighting for, but we also understand that sometimes it isn’t easy. Cassie’s worked hard to make her way in life. She’s had her own setbacks.”

Did David know about Cassie being raped as a teenager? He had no idea. Cassie didn’t think anyone but Brie knew, but the way David said it, the look in his eyes, communicated to Jesse that David might know more than Cassie thought he did. And if David knew, then did that mean the other men in her family did as well?

Before Jesse could decide what to say next, David turned back to the television. Apparently, he’d said his piece, and he was ready to move on.

The sport’s commentator broke down the last game between the two teams and Jesse let his mind wander. He imagined Craig was already on site and hopefully installing the cameras. His dad was no doubt going through the footage they already had, and his urge to join in on the research was making his palms itch.

Then there was Cassie. He knew she’d been shaken today. She wanted answers as much as the rest of them.

Jesse’s gaze landed on the door that led to the kitchen. He couldn’t hear anything.

The commentators on the television droned on until they switched over to the game. Jesse was about to excuse himself to go find Cassie when the two women strolled into the room.

He met Cassie’s gaze, but it was unreadable. She sat beside him on the couch, and he reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together.

Jessica had brought cookies with her and offered them to him. He took one. “Thanks.”

Once they all had a cookie, Jessica sat down across from her husband. She ignored what was on the television and focused all her attention on Jesse. “How old are you, Jesse?”

“I’m thirty.”

She nodded. “And do you want kids?”

Cassie groaned.

Thanks to Cassie’s heads-up about her mother, he’d been prepared for this. “Eventually, yes.”

“Well, you know, it’s better to have kids while you’re young and can enjoy them, so I wouldn’t wait too long.”

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