Page 27 of The Billion Dollar Bet

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Thanks for letting me know,” Devin replied. “Now tell me what were you saying about Cassie?”

“Don’t be mad, but I told her everything.”

“Everything?”

“Yeah.”

Devin’s voice sounded more relaxed and Barry sighed in relief. “How did she take it?”

“She was more concerned about how you handled your father’s death and so forth. She understands why you sponsored her. And I told her that you were planning on proposing.”

“You moron, you spoiled my surprise!”

“I know, but I’ve never seen you like this. You were so angry and hurt. I knew I had to do something,” he said. “Look Dev, just return home. Talk to Cassie and then you and I will deal with Troy.”

“See you later,” Devin replied. “And Barry.”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks.”

“Whoa, you said what?” Barry joked. “What the feck? You sure you’re Devin? He never says thanks.

“You talk too much.”

“Repeat that once more.”

“Fuck off.”

Barry hung up the phone in a good mood. At least Devin was back to his old self … sort of. Now to deal with Troy. This was getting bizarre. Troy was the peace maker of the bunch and he never showed any signs that he didn’t like Cassie. A bulb went off in Barry’s head. Did Troy like Cassie like that?

“Nah,” he said to himself. “Must be something else.”

Chapter 19

“Cassie, we need to talk!” came from outside the front door.

The car drove up at the gate just as she was about to open her front door after arriving home from her shift at MIT. She quickly slipped through the door and locked it before he got out of his car. The doorbell rang several times while she held her breath and stared at the front door. With her heart threatening to jump out of her chest and race to Devin, she stood her ground.

“Cassie, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” The thickness in his voice melted her heart. “I know you love me and I won’t give up on us. I won’t lose you.”

There was silence for a minute and she crept forward, pressing her ear to the door. There was no sound outside and she wondered whether he was gone or not. The only way to tell was to either take the chance and open the door or view the gate from her grandmother’s bedroom window. She opted for the latter.

Cassie raced up the stairs and into her grandmother’s bedroom. The presence of her grandmother was strong in the room that upon her entry she paused before tip-toeing across the beige carpet in order to reach the window. She nudged the curtain and looked down on the street. Devin’s car was gone.

A twinge of disappointment nipped at her upon discovering that he already left. She’d expected him to camp out on her doorstep for a while. He’d been persistent when pursuing her, now he gave up so easily? Cassie moved away from the window and left the room.

The rest of the evening saw her in a sore mood. She barely touched her dinner and she was unable to concentrate on work. Dressed in only a large t-shirt and socks she did nothing but lie on the couch and sulk. The strumming of a guitar sounded as though it came from next door. She laid on the couch and closed her eyes, listening to the melody. Then someone started singing Whitney Houston’s ‘And I will always love you’.

Cassie had to cover her ear from the obviously tone deaf singer whose tune were way off, not matching the sweet melody of the guitar. Even covering her ear could not drown out the sounds of the off key singing, but something inn thy lyrics of the song caught her attention.

And I will always love you, Cassieeeeeeeeeee

Springing from the couch, she rushed to the front door and opened it, forgetting her attire. Sitting on the hood his Car, Devin was playing the guitar, his face turned up to the sky singing the song from one of her favorite singers. Stomping her way down the drive she came to a halt a few feet from him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

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