Page 6 of Cass

Trevor, Reagan, Skylar and Hayden are all hysterically laughing. Darian just shakes her head, while Jackson smiles and pulls her close. He’s gotten used to my outrageous mouth.

Melissa looks like a deer in headlights. Well, if she didn’t believe me earlier when I told her that I have an immature personality, she certainly does now. Mission accomplished.

CHAPTERTWO

TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO

CASSANDRA

“Cassandra, can you believe our college graduation is finally here?” Darian’s excitement is at an all-time high. She’s practically jumping up and down.

We’re about thirty minutes away from leaving for our graduation ceremony. We’re both in dresses. Mine is blue and hers is red. Our make-up is done, our hair is curled to perfection, and we’re ready to go.

She looks beautiful, as always. She’s my best friend, and the most important person in the world to me.

I’m not quite as excited as she is for college to be over though. I shrug my shoulders. “I enjoyed four years of partying, and working my way through all the hot guys on campus. I’m not sure I’m ready for it all to come to an end. I think there are still a few hot guys left.”

She laughs. “Don’t worry. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of hot guys for you in law school. You have a gift for finding them all. An even bigger gift for making them all want you.”

I scrunch my nose. “I suppose. Those guys might be all serious and boring, like most attorneys. There’s nothing worse than a boring man. I need fun and hot. I don’t know any attorneys who are fun and hot. I don’t even know any attorneys who are fun.”

“You’regoing to be an attorney. You’re definitely not boring, and you’re definitely hot. You’re the most fun person I know.”

I smile. She’s right. “This is true.” I hug her. “I’m just glad my favorite wingman will be with me, even if you’re getting hitched.”

I shake my head. “I can’t believe you’re getting married in two weeks. You’re so young, Dare. You’ve been having sex with the same man for two years. Don’t you want to sleep with more guys before you settle down with just one? Don’t you want to see what else is out there?”

She pats the sofa and grabs my hand. “Let’s sit down.” We do.

She turns to me. “I don’t want to sleep with other men, Cassandra. I know I’m young, but I found my soulmate. I genuinely have no interest in anyone else. Scott is everything to me. I’m in love with him. He’s the one for me. I have zero doubts about it.”

I smile in defeat. “I know he is. You found a good one, Dare. I understand the appeal. I’m happy for you. I really am. I just can’t personally imagine settling down with one man right now.”

“There’s one other thing I need to tell you.” She takes a deep breath. “I’ll be with you for the first semester of law school, but then I’m going to take a break from law school. I’ll probably pick it up again at night the following year, taking maybe one or two classes a semester.”

I shake my head in complete confusion. “What? Why on earth would you do something like that? It makes no sense.”

She stares at me for a moment, clearly having trouble getting words out. “I took a test this morning. Cassandra, I’m pregnant.”

I jump up. “You’re what? Pregnant? How did this happen?”

She gives me a look. I shake my head. “I know how it happens, but how did you let this happen? Aren’t you guys careful? Don’t you use protection?”

She sighs. “Cassandra, we’re getting married in a few weeks. We’re just not as careful as we used to be. Scott is thirty-years-old. He’s more than ready for children. Honestly, I think on some level, we were purposefully careless. I’m truly happy about this. I’m excited. I want to have Scott’s babies.”

“Wow.” I’m truly shocked. I didn’t see this coming. I sit back down. “I assume Scott’s happy about this too?”

“I haven’t told him yet. I really didn’t want to tell him over the phone, and I haven’t seen him since I found out. It was only this morning. He knows I’m late though. He knows there’s the possibility. He’s anxious about it. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

I put my head down. “I knew I was losing you to Scott. Obviously, I know you’re moving out of here and in with him. But I thought we’d still have our time in law school together. What if I never see you, Dare? I need you in my life.”

She grabs my hands. “Cassandra, we’re best friends for life. That willneverchange. I promise that to you. I will always be here for you. No matter what. I know you’ll do the same for me.”

She smiles hopefully at me. “On the bright side, you’re going to be an aunt.”

I perk up immediately at the realization. I guess I am. That could be fun. “She can be our little dress-up doll. We can even get a baby power suit and briefcase.”

She laughs. “What makes you think it’s a girl?”

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