Page 33 of Boss

“Do you want to meet him?"

“Can I?” she asked.

Clarissa winked and extended her hand. “Come on,”

“Really? Really!” Kassidy ran over and grabbed Clarissa's hand. She’d seen Tarek from her window a few times. Never had she been close enough to speak to him. Clarissa led her out of the house. Kassidy parents were away at dinner. Her older sisters had friends and were down at the beach pretending to be more sophisticated than they were. Clarissa had agreed to babysit her until her date, and then she’d spend the rest of the night watching jeopardy with Clarissa’s mother until she fell asleep.

They walked down the stairs and out the front door of the house. The porch light was on. The sun had long ago slipped into the sea. But even in the darkness Kassidy could see how cool Tarek Marshall was.

“Who’s this?” he asked. He eased off his bike and approached. It was spring and a bit cool at night. The leather jacket Tarek wore had silver zippers and pockets.

“I’m Kassandra,” she smiled. “But everyone calls me Kassidy.”

“Well, hello there little Kassidy. I’m Tarek,” he knelt before her and extended his hand to shake hers like adults do. At eye level with him she could see his face close and personal. He had brown eyes. And when he smiled, so did she. She went straight to him with her arms stretched out. Tarek seemed surprised at first by her warm greeting, but he hugged her back. Clarissa laughed.

“That's Kassie, she's the sweetest little princess that comes from her kingdom in Plano to visit us,” Clarissa said.

Tarek kissed her on the cheek. “Nice to meet you princess.”

“Can I ride your motorcycle?” Kassidy walked from him to the black and chrome and black bike.

“Sure, come here,” he swept her up and sat her on top of the motorcycle.

“No, no Tarek, she’s not my kid. Don’t even think about it.” Clarissa warned.

Kassidy tried to turn the key to start the motorcycle.

“Whoa there Brave Heart!” he laughed. He helped her lean forward so she could grip the steering wheel.

“I want to ride for real!” Kassidy demanded.

“This is for real,” Tarek said.

“Take her off the bike Tarek. Now. If my father sees he will...”

“Okay, okay, just having a little fun Clarissa,” he plucked Kassidy off the bike and held her up in his arms.

“One day I’m going to marry you,” Kassidy said and hugged his neck.

“Kassie! Hey? That’s not nice. He’s my boyfriend,” Clarissa laughed.

“I know that,” Kassidy said. “We can both marry him. Okay? We share.”

“Do I get a say in this?” Tarek chuckled.

“You better not!” Clarissa said with a teasing smile.

“Tell you what kiddo. In twenty years if you still want to marry me, you come find me. Deal?”

“Tarek!” Clarissa said. “That’s not funny she’s a kid. And in twenty years you will still be mine.”

“Deal!” Kassidy grinned.

Tarek tickled and then tossed Kassidy up a bit in the air, even though she was bigger than most kids her age. He didn’t drop her. Kassidy couldn’t stop grinning. She was in love.

***

“Angela?” he called out. She blinked from the memory and realized Tarek had called for her. Quickly she tucked the picture back in the wallet. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

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