Page 35 of Free to Dream
“I didn’t want it to wait. I wanted to make sure we were still on.”
“We are. Caleb?” Her voice is more hesitant than a moment ago.
“Yes?”
“Safe travels,” she murmurs quietly before hanging up the phone.
I look down at my phone for a heartbeat, and two before getting my shit in gear. Shutting down my phone, I toss it into my bag and head to the gate.
Keene, standing at the end of the steps waiting for me, says nothing until we’re on the jet, barreling down the runway. Gazing out the window across from me, he’s casually sipping his drink and asks, “Cassidy? I don’t remember you mentioning meeting a Cassidy when we had dinner a few weeks ago.”
He uncrosses his legs and gets more comfortable in the leather seat as our plane jets across the night sky. He still hasn’t looked at me. It’s a technique I’ve used many times. Don’t let your opposition think you want information so they relax a little, start chatting, letting details slip.
I don’t bother saying anything. Keene’s smart. Hell, he’s fucking brilliant. In addition to also being a trained interrogator from his years of military service, Keene’s background in criminal psychology makes him an expert at reading people while hiding his own emotions. It makes him an incredible employee and a pain in the ass friend. Fortunately for me, this is a quick hop back to New York. I can hold out that long.
I ignore him and take a sip of my drink. Staring out the window, I can feel his eyes on me, still waiting for me to respond. Instead of replying, I replay my conversation with Cassidy in my head. I wonder what she’s doing tomorrow? If it were strictly business-related, it would be at the office. I’m mulling that over when a few seconds later, the pilot’s voice comes over the intercom announcing, “Mr. Lockwood, Mr. Marshall, you are both free to use your electronic devices. Please relax and enjoy your flight to Teterboro.”
Putting my glass down, I reach into my bag for my iPad. After I type in my password, iMessage pops up a message from Cassidy. My finger hovers over it a second before I press to open it.
Cassidy: I’m sure it will be hours before you get this, but I just wanted you to know I’m looking forward to tomorrow. We have an event at the farm I forgot about when I first accepted. I hope you landed safely. Talk soon.
I smile and begin to type back, oblivious to the sharp eyes across from me.
Caleb: What event do you have? And we’ll forget about the part where I could tease the planner about forgetting an event…
I watch the little blue dots move as she types back.
Cassidy: Are you sitting on a runway somewhere? I thought you were boarding a plane?
Caleb: I’m actually in the air on the plane.
Cassidy: Are you trying to crash it? What the hell, Caleb?!?! Get off your phone!
Caleb: Relax, Pixie. I have my messages forwarded to my iPad. I’m not breaking any laws.
Cassidy: Oh. okay. Never tell Phil that. He’ll demand we all do that and I’ll never get any peace from him.
Caleb: I promise I won’t tell, but it’s not like he can’t find it online.
I must make a sound resembling laughter. Keene is still patient and waiting. Bastard will wait for hours. I continue to ignore him and look back at my iPad when I hear another ding.
Cassidy: We try to keep him away from searching the web whenever possible. Can you imagine him with an open search engine? It’s better to be at his beck and call for some things. Better for all our mental health, that is.
Now, I’m openly laughing. She’s a sharp-witted delight.
Cassidy: So, what’s with the nickname?
Caleb: ???
Cassidy: I’m fairly detail oriented, Caleb. You’ve called me Pixie a few times. Know so many Cassidys you have to differentiate me somehow? I’m the shortest, so I get the nickname to remind you I’m the short one?
I wait a few seconds for something to follow, but there’s nothing. No dots moving, indicating she’s still typing. Is she serious? She thinks she doesn’t stand out?
Caleb: I hope you’re joking right now.
Cassidy: About?
Caleb: Not standing out.
