Page 14 of Be With Us: An Urban Foursome Love Story

‘Six years,’ said Cass. ‘How about you?’

Mark nodded his head.

‘Two,’ he said. ‘It's gone by in a flash.’

Cassian looked Mark up and down, he was built but not excessively, lean, powerful and rigid, his stature and poise were hard and his movements snapped, the haircut was the clue but the rest was the evidence.

‘You military?’

Mark smiled. ‘What gave it away?’

‘You don’t hide it well,’ said Cassian.

‘Ex. I work in protection now, mostly politicians, CEO’s, a few rock stars. Charming people. Salt of the earth. How about you?’

‘Is that how you met? You were her bodyguard?’

‘No, it’s almost as cliche though.’

Cassian laughed and turned as he began to make his way towards the door.

‘Come and meet her,’ said Mark. ‘I already caught you staring at her, you may as well come and get a proper look.’

Cassian faltered as he reached the exit and realised he’d stopped walking.

‘It's fine,’ laughed Mark. ‘She's gorgeous, it's hard not to stare. Come and say hello, she’d love to meet you.’

Mark gestured to the doorway, and Cassian, a little flustered pushed it open. The sound of the party rushed back and filled his senses once again. On the other side of the door was a throng of people shouting and dancing.

‘This way,’ said Mark, touching Cassian’s arm above the elbow to guide him. ‘She won't have moved whilst she still has an audience.’

Cassian followed, squeezing and sliding his way through the party guests, smiling to various masked men and women. As he moved he was looking out for Emilia, hoping to catch her eye and beckon her over and then he saw her near the bar.

‘Wait, I’m just going to get my wife.’

Mark turned and nodded, ‘Come on over to us when you’re ready.’

Cassian weaved his way to the bar and touched Emilia on the arm, she was in the middle of being accosted by a young lad of around twenty, who was excitedly telling her all about the latest developments in the world of robotics.

‘Sorry to interrupt, Em, but we’ve got a date.’

‘Oh?’ she said, confused.

Cassian leaned close and whispered in her ear, ‘Follow me.’

He took her by the hand and lead her through the throng of party-goers towards what Emilia could see was a stunningly beautiful red haired girl, not much taller than she was. Emilia found herself feeling a sensation she hadn’t felt in years, perhaps not since school. She didn’t know if it was the intensity of the party, or the thought of what may or may not happen later, or what Cassian had said about a date, but there was an unexpected spark of attraction towards this girl and she found herself desperately hoping that Cassian was taking her by the hand to meet her, and not someone else.

As the couple approached, the handsome and clean cut gentleman to the woman's right turned and smiled and Emilia felt a sudden rush of excitement.

‘Amy,’ said Mark. ‘There's someone I’d like you to meet. This is Cassian.’

Amy’s jewel-green eyes met Cassian’s and she smiled such a friendly and disarming smile that it seemed to make his embarrassment disappear into a gentle haze. She reached out her hand and he took it and softly shook.

‘Cassian,’ she said, stepping away from her audience with an apologetic look.

As she spoke she reached out and touched his arm, and then leaned in and whispered. ‘I’m so sorry, I asked my husband to head off and find someone normal for us to talk to, I hope you don’t mind.’

Cassian laughed, ‘It’s quite the event, isn’t it?’

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