Page 26 of It Just Feels Right

I bring in dessert and set it in the middle of the table. Cassie gasps. “Is that the famous cinnamon Blaze cake from Red’s?”

I nod. “It is.”

I bring plates and utensils and set them on the table. I lean down and kiss Cassie on the lips. She blushes prettily, and I cup her chin. “I’m going to get somework done in my office. Just holler if you need anything. Haven, it was nice to meet you.”

I walk out of the kitchen and barely get through the living room when I hear Haven loudly whisper, “Ooh, girl. He’s got it bad. Tell me everything.”

I can’t help but smile. Haven’s right. I have it bad.

CHAPTER 13

CASSIE

“Ooh,girl. He’s got it bad. Tell me everything.”

I’m watching Baker walk away, and I’m smiling as he goes. I’m not sure how he knew how I was feeling, but he caught on and wanted to reassure me the only way he thought he could. And it was perfect. Honestly, I would have eventually told Haven anyway.

I look at my best friend and am trying not to freak out. “He likes me, Haven.”

She laughs. “He more than likes you. Did you see the way he was looking at you? I swear it got ten degrees hotter in here.”

I slap her on the arm. “Stop. Let’s talk about you. How’s modeling going?”

She rolls her eyes. “It’s fine. But I think I need to start thinking about retirement.”

I gasp. “Retirement? You’re twenty-five years old.”

She nods knowingly. “I know that. I’m a plus size twenty-five-year-old model. It’s about time.”

“So what are you thinking about doing after?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie to me, Haven. You have some idea what you want to do.”

She doesn’t look happy. “I know exactly what I want, but it will never happen.”

“Tell me,” I insist.

She takes a drink of her water. “Are you going to laugh?”

I roll my eyes at her. “I think you know me better than that. What is it?”

She starts to ramble. “I want to get married and have babies.” She cringes and covers her face. “Did I just set women back fifty years or what? I sound so lame.”

My mouth drops. I’ve known Haven a long time, and I’ve never heard her talk this way. “First of all, noyou didn’t just take us back fifty years. It’s 2024! Women can have whatever we want. And you deserve that. You should do it.”

She measures me with a look. “You know me. I can’t get close to people, how do you expect that to work?”

I think about everything I know about Haven. I’m the first person that ever told her I loved her. She’s never had affection in her life, and she’s right. If she continues like she is, there’s a small chance it will happen. I blurt out. “You should hire a cuddler. If that’s what your therapist recommends, that’s what you should do.”

“Cassie,” she starts, and I shake my head.

“No, Haven, hear me out. If that’s what you want, you have to get to the point where you can accept intimacy. Do it.”

She tilts her head to the side. “I’ll think about it.”

I nod and pat her on the shoulder and then draw back when she tenses up. “Sorry. Look, you’ll figure it out. You’re so smart and talented. And you’re a hard worker. If you want something, you’ll make it happen.”

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