Page 95 of Becoming

“You’re right. I don’t like your answer.”

Willamena chuckled. “I told you. But it is honestly the best thing you can do, Cass. You can’t know the answers until you ask the questions. There are moments when I wish I had the opportunity to speak with Samantha. Then I remember that would require her to be breathing. I know I’m a doctor and shouldn’t say this, but I can live with not having closure for the rest of my life as long as she stays dead.”

“Nothing wrong with that, Aunt Wills,” Cass stated proudly.

Willamena gave her niece’s lover a small smile. “You, on the other hand, have the opportunity to say what you need to say to Miranda and close this chapter in your life.”

Cass frowned. The thought of talking to Rand didn’t sit well with her. However, the prospect of losing Rebecca because Cass couldn’t get her head out of her ass was far worse. “Fine. I’ll talk to her. Can you do me a favor, though?”

“Perhaps.”

“Can you convince your niece not to leave me?”

“Oh, Cass. She was never going to leave you. Why would she be selling her house if she planned on leaving you?”

Cass’s eyes grew wide. “She’s selling her place?!”

“Oh, dear. Something tells me she didn’t mean for you to know that now. Crap.”

The muttered “crap” somehow filtered through Cass’s muddled brain, tickling something that felt close to hysterical. She burst out laughing. She laughed until she cried. Cried until she sobbed. Sobbed until she started hiccupping.

“I would hand you a tissue, but…”

Cass gave Aunt Wills a watery smile. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I suspect you needed that more than you realized. A word of advice?” Cass nodded. “Know that Rebecca can handle you like this. She doesn’t always need you to be strong. I know she’s your, ahem, Mistress at times. But let her be there when you need her emotionally as well. She’s much stronger than we sometimes give her credit for. And she’s been through quite a bit in her life. Learn from her. Lean on her.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Willamena rolled her eyes at the term. She always hated how old it made her feel no matter how silly it was. “Do you need to talk some more? I could push back my next appointment.”

“Nah, I’m good. I think. Thank you.”

“Anytime, dear.”

“Hey, Aunt Wills?” Cass was most likely going to regret this, but she had to know. Aunt Wills was an amazing woman with the patience of a saint. She proved that by listening to Cass spout obscenities and insecurities during her downtime. “Why aren’t you seeing anyone?”

“Who says I’m not?” Willamena winked at a dumbfounded Cass. “Goodbye, Cass. My love to Rebecca.”

With that, the connection was broken. Oh, Cass was so going to grill Rebecca on this one. But first things first. She took out her phone. After a quick search, she found the place Connor mentioned Rand being at. Her thumb hovered over the green call button for a long time before finally getting the nerve to press it. She made the appointment she had been avoiding, feeling a slight pressure leaving her chest.

The next call was a little more difficult. Despite what Aunt Wills had disclosed, Cass was nervous about Rebecca’s response to her call. As the line rang Cass’s doubt grew. Perhaps she should have given Rebecca more time to forgive Cass’s damn idiocy.

“Hi, baby.”

Taken aback by Rebecca’s sweet greeting, Cass faltered. “Um, hi. Am I interrupting anything?”

“No, I just finished the meeting. It was a waste of time, so I’m having an iced coffee to make it up to myself.”

Cass smiled picturing Rebecca at her favorite coffee shop. She’d be sitting by a window with the sunlight filtering in, making her blonde hair shine.

“Cassidy?”

“Oh, sorry, babe. Was just picturing you.” Cass suddenly wanted a paintbrush in her hand to capture the scene in her head. Even more, she wanted Rebecca home and in her arms. “Rebecca?”

“Still here.”

“Are you, um, coming home tonight?” She heard Rebecca sigh softly and Cass’s pulse spiked. Please say yes. Please say yes.

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