Page 27 of His Best Friend's Wife
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Despite my bestefforts to the contrary, the doubts immediately surfaced. I had a hard time catching my breath as my heart raced and I wondered what could be upsettingCassie.
Had Dirk actually sent her to me again? Was she here at his orders? Was she having second thoughts about us? Did she still want to be with Dirk? Had our night together not been as real for her as it was forme?
The dark, swirling questions refused to subside. The palpable fear turned to ice in my veins as I cleared my throat and attempted to adopt a normal tone so I could ask her, "What's wrong?" As much as I dreaded hearing her answer, I couldn't stand notknowing.
Cassie pressed her lips to mine, which alleviated my fears somewhat. When she said, "I think I love you too much," sweet relief flooded my system, and I felt like my heart might actually take flight. "I'm angry with myself for missing all of those years that we could have been together, and I wish that I'd been brave enough to leave Dirk and be with you a long timeago."
"It's okay," I reassured her, swiping away another wayward tear that was making its way down her cheek. "The timing must not have been right before. At least we've found each other now." I grinned down at her before adding, "And I will never let yougo."
"Really?" She beamed up at me. At my nod, she snuggled into my shoulder and fell backasleep.
I was too wound up to sleep, so I just relaxed there, entangled with Cassie, and loving my life. I officially felt like the luckiest manalive.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, I realized that I needed to get ready for work. Cassie must have been exhausted because she barely stirred when I unraveled myself from her and headed to theshower.
After leaving her a note that said simply, "At work. Love you, R," I grabbed an apple and headed out thedoor.
Of all the awkward timing, Jamie came out her front door at the same time. I thought for a moment that she was going to let me off the hook easily when she gave me one of her signature, friendly smiles. That hope was dashed when she commented in her gravelly voice, "I didn't expect to see you up and about so early this morning. It sounded like you had a late and rowdynight."
Embarrassment over my behavior flared up. I had every right to be with Cassie and make love to her as voraciously as she would allow. It was not fair to make Jamie listen to it, though, and for that I was trulysorry.
I apologized to Jamie, adding that the last thing I wanted was for her to have to hearus.
"It's okay," she responded kindly, before adding, "I just want you to be happy." I felt like she was being sincere, so I smiled at her until she added, "You do need to move out, though. I don't want to be listening to that screw-fest everynight."
Feeling sheepish, I nodded, acknowledging that her request wasreasonable.
With impeccable timing, Cassie poked her head out thedoor.
"I'm surprised you can walk today," Jamie informed herdryly.
It felt incredibly awkward, and I had no idea how Cassie would react to the dig. I wanted to jump in and somehow save her, but it wasn't like we could deny how rambunctious we hadbeen.
Cassie surprised me by smiling widely and responding, "I know,right?"
Her open and friendly reaction made Jamie laugh. "This one's a keeper," she informed me before setting off towardswork.
"Indeed," I answered Jamie, while beaming at Cassie. Intending to give Cassie a quick kiss goodbye, I tipped my lips down to her and said, "I need to get towork."
The intended brief exchange turned into a full on make out session as I found that one swift kiss just wasn'tenough.
Turning, Jamie yelled back at me, "You comin' to work today, loverboy?"
One––okay, two––kisses later I scurried to catch up with Jamie so we could walk to the diner together. I could hear Cassie laughing happily as she stood on the front porch watching usleave.
