Page 42 of Free to Dream
By the end of my lament, Caleb has a huge grin on his face and Jared has his hand over his mouth, trying not to spit out his drink. Ryan says while sputtering with laughter, “This is why we hired you. You managed to not commit justifiable homicide!”
I don’t know if having a double date is a typical thing, but for me, I know having Ryan and Jared here with us has helped me enjoy it greatly. I’m sure there’s a world record here somewhere.
I can visualize the headline now, “Soon-to-be thirty-year-old has first date! Scoop on page…!” I stare off into space with a small smile on my face and shake my head slowly, not realizing Caleb’s eyes are on me.
He leans toward me. “Everything okay?” he murmurs close into my ear, inadvertently sending shivers down my back.
Great, all the tension missing from my body just came back in a rush. “I’m fine,” I bluff, reaching for my glass of water. I want a clear head for the most part. Caleb is potent enough.
He shoots me a mild look and reaches for my hand under the table. Closing his strong hand over mine, he gives mine a quick squeeze.
My breath hitches.
I expect him to let go, but he doesn’t. Instead, as he continues talking with Jared about a case, he starts to play with my fingers. His large, thick fingers curl between mine and drag them against each another, caressing them. He pulls my hand over to his thigh discreetly and begins to trace each digit with one of his.
I’m almost hyperventilating at this point. I have to escape.
Standing, I drop Caleb’s hand. His eyebrows raise. “Pardon me, gentlemen. Before we leave, I need to take a private moment.”
Grabbing my purse, I depart from the table and make my way to the restroom.
Slamming through the door, I race into the handicap stall. Locking the door, I whip out my cell phone as I slide to the floor with my back to the wall. Pulling up my messages, I text Em.
Cassidy: I don’t know if I can do this.
Em: What happened?!?!?
Cassidy: It was going fine. Casual. And then he was holding my hand under the table. Is this normal, Em?
Em: Oh, sweetheart.
Cassidy: What?
Em: It’s okay to be nervous, Cass. Holding your hand, even kissing you, isn’t a big deal.
I think for a moment. I need to tell her.
Cassidy: He did that too.
Em: WHAT?!?!?
Cassidy: Really quick. On the stairs as we were walking to the table.
Em: Well, holy hell. How did you react?
Cassidy: I think I was in shock.
Em: Right? No shit!
Cassidy: I’m so afraid he’s going to do something and I’m going to react, and then it’s going to mess everything up, including the business.
Finally, Em’s text comes through.
Em: First, I am so proud of you. I’ve been sitting here all night in tears. You have come so far, Cass. You’re so beautiful and so damn strong that no man, including Caleb Lockwood, is good enough for you. The idea you even said yes? This is HUGE! Second, trust your gut, love. It may be untried as an adult, but you know it works. Third, this may sound way out there, but do you want to give him a heads-up so he doesn’t push you too far? Maybe not everything, just that you’re not as experienced as he might think you are?
I read her message a few times, and read it again. And then I realize I’ve been in the bathroom for a long time. Really long. I quickly type back.
Cassidy: I’ve been gone a while. I’ll ping you later. Love you.
