Page 44 of Rockstar Daddy's Second Chance

Cass looks around, impressed. “Cassidy has impeccable taste,” he says, pulling my chair out for me.

“Or she knows how hard it is for you to be incognito,” I reply with a smirk. I can tell he’s relieved to be somewhere he won’t have to keep his head down the whole time.

As we settle into our seats, the restaurant’s romantic ambiance envelops us in warmth and intimacy. Soft lighting casts a warm glow over the elegant table settings, creating a private, intimate world just for us. The quiet hum of soft jazz from the corner of the room fills the air, adding to the romantic atmosphere Cassidy worked so hard to create.

Cass studies me over the top of his menu, a mischievous glint in his eye. “So, what’s next on the checklist?”

“Let’s see. Flowers, check,” I say, tapping the list Cassidy insisted I bring along. “Hold hands, check.” I look at the next item and laugh softly. “And...kiss.”

He raises an eyebrow, leaning across the table slightly. “I’m not one to disappoint a request from Cassidy.” There’s a tenderness in his expression as he says it, and as he leans in, my heart skips. It’s a gentle kiss, light but filled with a quiet passion. Cass gives me a heated look. “I hope there’s another kiss on that list for later,” he murmurs with a sexy wink.

The rest of the evening flows seamlessly. We laugh over shared memories and talk about Cassidy and her little quirks, and then Cass turns to me with a questioning look on his face.

“So, why did you decide on the name Kacey Cushman?” Cass asks me with genuine curiosity.

Smiling, I look over at him, arching my brow. “Do you remember when we watched that movie about the Carpenters? How they called each other by their initials. Karen Carpenter went by K.C. Well, I thought I’d go by my initials, K.C., and then it somehow morphed into Kacey,” I explain with a shrug.

“What about Cushman?”

“Oh, that is actually my real last name. Cash was the stage name my agent picked out for me.” I laugh softly at the stunned look on Cass’s face.

“How did I not know that?” He says, shaking his head.

Giving him a wistful smile, I murmur, “Back then, we had more important things to do than small talk.”

“In other words, we made love every chance we could,” He says with a smirk.

“I don’t remember ever complaining,” I admit, my cheeks turning pink.

“Why Jacksonville, Florida?” Cass questions.

Shrugging, “I grew up around here. I… I was fortunate enough to be able to afford a house in that neighborhood.”

Not wanting to reveal too much, I stop. Cass must sense I have more to say as he gives me a searching look. But I avoid his eyes, looking down at my hands.

“It couldn’t have been easy raising a child alone,” he says softly.

I nod. “It wasn’t. But we made do.” Forcing a smile, I change the subject, “But that’s all in the past. Let’s talk about the future.”

We sit back, savoring the last bites of our meal, but the evening feels far from over. He opens up about how his dreams and goals have changed. He even sheepishly mentions Pixie, “We’re friends. She’s actually nice once you get to know her–look beyond her pop image.”

As Cass continues to talk, I realize how much I’ve missed this—missed him—sharing our thoughts, talking, these quiet, intimate moments, and that makes tonight even more special.

Cass, ever the star, tops off my wine glass and holds his up in a toast, his eyes catching the dim glow of candlelight. “To second chances,” he says softly, his gaze steady on mine. The warmth in his voice wraps around me, and I lift my glass to meet his. Our hands brush, and the heated look in his eyes hold a promise–for later.

Cass’s hand finds mine, fingers intertwining. We linger, communicating more through our gaze than words ever could.

Cass glances at his watch, his lips curling into a sly smile. “The checklist didn’t specify ‘where’ we had to dance, so…shall we?”

The dimly lit dining room, with its intimate dance floor, sets the stage for our enchanting evening. As he pulls me into his embrace, the world fades away. His touch is electric, his gaze captivating. With each slow, deliberate step, our hearts beat in unison. Words unnecessary.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for this?” he murmurs, he whispers, his breath warm against my ear. A shiver of anticipation runs through me as I lean into him, our bodies moving as one. The music swells, carrying us into a world of pure enchantment. Lost in the moment, I surrender to the magic of his arms.

As the music softens, we linger, reluctant to break the spell. His hand, gentle and comforting, traces the curve of my back. He leans in, his breath warm against my cheek as he murmurs, “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have a second chance with you.”

My heart swells, the words tugging at emotions I’ve tried so hard to keep under control. “Cass… maybe fate just took us on a detour.”

He pulls back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. “No more detours, Kendrick.” His voice is soft but filled with a raw intensity. “I want you–always.” His words hold a promise like this is the beginning of our forever.

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