Page 7 of Cass

“I have special senses, Dare. I know it will be a beautiful, smart, little girl. Just like her mother.” She hugs me.

There’s a knock at our apartment door. I walk over and open it to see Scott. He’s very handsome. He’s tall, with blond hair and bright blue eyes. He’s holding two enormous bouquets of roses. He smiles at me. “Hey, Cassie.”

“Hey, Scott.” I open the door wider in invitation. “She’s in here. She’s been waiting for you.”

He hands me one of the bouquets. “These are for you, Cassie. Congratulations on your college graduation. You should be very proud. You’re going to own law school for the next three years.”

I nod and smile. “Thanks, Scott. I really appreciate it.”

He walks in and takes one long look at Darian. It’s like the sun rises and sets with her. I’ve never in my life seen a man look at a woman the way he looks at her.

He gives her a big smile. “Hey, baby. I missed you last night.” He walks toward her, bends down, and kisses her on the cheek. He hands her the roses. “These are for you. Congratulations.”

She has a giddy look on her face as she takes the roses. “Thank you. They’re beautiful. I missed you too. I guess we won’t have many nights apart moving forward.”

He raises his eyebrows in question at her. “Any news?” He looks nervous, but excited.

She slowly nods her head and smiles. His grin increases a thousand times. He picks her up and spins her around. She laughs and they kiss again. This time it’s a real kiss. I’ve never in my life been kissed the way Scott’s kissing her right now. There’s so much love and affection behind it.

He sets her down, but keeps her close. “You’re going to be such an amazing mother and wife. I can’t wait for you to be Darian Lawrence.”

“Only two more weeks. Then I will be Mrs. Darian Lawrence. I can’t believe it’s finally here.”

She’s looks around at all the boxes in our apartment. “We need to start moving all of this stuff into your house tomorrow.”

“Our house, Darian. It’s our house now. Yours and mine. We’re a team.”

She nods. “Right. Our house.”

“I have Nelson and the boys coming with me tomorrow. They’ll get everything for you. I don’t want you lifting anything. You just sit, relax, and tell them what to do.”

“I can boss those guys around. No problem.” They’re both laughing, in their own universe right now.

I knew she was getting married and moving out, but for some reason, it hits me at this moment. Scott is her person now. Not me. I guess I thought we at least had law school together. That was going to be our time. But now, that’s gone too. I want to be happy for her, and I am, but I can’t help but feel a small sense of loss too.

The phone in our apartment rings. I say to them, “I’ve got it,” but they’re so entranced with one another, I don’t think either one hears me.

I run to the kitchen to grab the telephone receiver off the wall. “Hello?”

“Hello, Cassandra.” It’s a deep voice that I rarely hear. My father.

“Hi, Dad. How are you?”

“I’m well. I know your graduation is today, but unfortunately, I don’t think I can make it. Your little sister has her first ballet recital.”

“She’s two years old, Dad. I doubt she’ll even remember it.”

“She’s three, and Lizzie needs me to be there for her. You only get one first ballet recital. Don’t be so selfish. You’re an adult now. You understand. She’s a child. It would crush her if I missed her special day. I can’t do that to her.”

I’m crushed too. I have tears in my eyes. He’s the only man who has ever made me cry. I croak out, “No problem. I understand.”

“Cassandra, I’d really like you to make more of an effort to get to know your little sister. You’ve only seen her twice. We’re having a post-recital celebration for her. A small gathering for twenty of our friends. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

There’s no mention of celebrating my college graduation. “I have some plans tonight, Dad. Maybe another time.”

“Okay. Well, congratulations on today. Good luck in your next endeavor.” I guess he doesn’t know I’m going to law school. I’m sure he doesn’t care either.

“Thanks, Dad. Good-bye.” I hang up and take a deep breath. What a jerk. I know I’ve said this before, but I’m officially done with him.

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