Page 36 of Rockstar Daddy's Second Chance

I nod slowly, her words resonating with something deep within me. But there’s another question on my mind now. “Do you think... do you think I should tell Cassidy that Cass and I are, um, starting to have feelings for each other again?”

Leah tilts her head, considering. Then, a delighted smile starts to form. “You’re sleeping with him?” she asks, her eyes darting around the mostly empty coffee house. She leans in and excitedly whispers, “You’re sleeping with Cass Wild?”

“Yes.” The word feels heavy, loaded with the implications of what that would mean for us. “Cassidy sees him as her dad, and she’s bonding with him, which is wonderful. But she doesn’t know about... us. She doesn’t know what we meant to each other back then.”

Leah’s gaze is steady. “It’s tricky, no doubt about it. Cassidy’s smart, though. She’ll pick up on things if she hasn’t already. Kids are perceptive. If you’re serious about building something real with Cass, it might be worth telling her soon so it doesn’t come as a shock or she doesn’t catch you two together.”

The thought fills me with a mix of fear and relief. Fear because Cassidy might not understand, and relief because maybe it’s time to let go of trying to hide my growing feelings for Cass.

“Thanks, Leah,” I say softly, squeezing her hand. “You’ve always been such a good friend.”

Leah smiles, a warm, knowing look in her eyes. “I’ve seen you juggle so much over the years. I know how fiercely you’ve protected Cassidy, and I know it’s been hard doing it alone. But you don’t have to go it alone anymore.”

The truth of her words settles in my chest, grounding me. She’s right. Cass is now in our lives, and he wants to be. Maybe it’s time to start building something real we can all hold onto.

Leah lets out a sigh, leaning back and giving me a playful grin. “You’ve got me all emotional. Now, enough of this serious stuff. Let’s talk about something else. What else did you do in New York?” Her eyes suddenly widen, her mouth forming an O. “You and Cassidy were with Cass Wild in the pictures they showed on TMZ! I couldn’t see your face–but it was you. Wasn’t it?” She leans forward eagerly. “Tell me all about it!”

I laugh, feeling a rush of gratitude for her light-heartedness. “Alright. Yes, the image was of Cassidy, me, and Cass’s sister, Emily.” Leah’s eyes shimmer with excitement as I continue. “We attended his sold-out performance. The crowd and energy were amazing. Then we did the whole tourist thing. Cass showed us around Central Park, and Cassidy was thrilled with every second of it. And get this—he even took her shopping for a new guitar.”

Leah raises an eyebrow. “A new guitar? Wow, he really knows what’s important to her, doesn’t he?”

I nod, my heart swelling as I recall the day. “He does. And she was so happy. It’s been beautiful to see.”

Leah listens as I recount stories from our trip, her laughter filling the air at my descriptions of Cassidy’s excitement when she met her grandparents and aunt.

“Hey, you didn’t forget you promised to help me with Cassidy’s birthday party. Did you?”

“No, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Still having it at your house?” At my nod, she teases. “Great, maybe I’ll get to see you and Cass making eyes at each other.”

By the time I leave Heart & Grinds, I feel lighter, as if talking things out with Leah has helped me understand my feelings better.

As I walk back toward the house, I realize that the fear holding me back isn’t as strong as it was. I think I was hesitant about telling Cassidy because I was worried that things might not turn out. But that’s just fearful thinking.

Leah is right–I need to trust that everything will work out. Maybe it’s time to start letting Cass in completely, to stop guarding myself against something that could be incredible. Because that’s what it was–once.

By the time I reach the oceanfront house, I’m filled with a new sense of resolve. I’m ready to face whatever happens—with Cass and Cassidy. I open the door to the sound of their voices.

Cass glances up at me with a smile. “Glad you’re back.” The warmth in his eyes sends a tingle down my spine.

“Did Cassidy remind you about her birthday party?”

“Of course! Dad promised he’d be there,” Cassidy states with a wide smile.

A feeling of unease goes through me. “Um… you said your friends saw those photos of all of us together on the internet. Right?”

Cassidy says, “Yes. But you said I couldn’t tell anyone he was my dad–it’s a secret.” She glances up at me with a shrug. “So, I told them he was your friend.”

“I see,” I mutter with a helpless look at Cass.

He returns my look with a hint of amusement. “A friend. That works.”

After Cassidy goes to bed, Cass’s arm goes around my waist, and he nuzzles my neck. “A friend with benefits,” he murmurs with satisfaction. “I like the sound of that. Walk with me?”

Nodding, I take his hand and follow him out to the moonlit beach. The cool night air brushes my skin as we step onto the sand. We walk in silence for a while, the only sound being the soft crash of the ocean waves.

When we arrive back at the beach house, Cass leans down to kiss me. I melt into the kiss, deepening it as he pulls me closer. Hand in hand, he leads me to the silent dunes, where he gently lays me down on the soft sand.

He quickly strips off my clothes as my hands reach out and unzip his pants, and he shimmies out of them. My trembling hands unbutton his shirt as his broader hands cover my exposed breasts. I shiver at the sensation of his warm palms replacing the cool ocean breeze.

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