Chapter 81
Cassidy
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I ARRIVED AT the office the next morning to find flowers at my desk. Red roses. Not my favorite, but still, I wondered who would have sent them. Carter wasn’t much of a flowers and romance kind of guy… unless he was trying to butter up my mother, plus, he knew sunflowers were my favorite, so he’d never send roses.
“Who are they from?” Janie asked excitedly from my cube door
I faced her and shrugged, dropping my purse into my drawer. “have no idea.”
“Well, what does the card say?”
I smiled. “You know something, don’t you?”
The pretty brunette pressed her lips into a thin line. “I plead the fifth.”
I powered up my computer and then opened the card. “Ohmigod, they’re from Tom.”
Janie gasped and then gave a girlish giggle. “That’s so cool, Cass. He’s unbelievably hot.”
I groaned. “But he knows I’m taken, Janie. It’s a little weird, don’t you think?”
“Lady, you’re not married. You’re not even engaged, so live a little.” She leaned against the desk. “Tom is super–hot, super rich, and super interested in you. This guy you’re dating isn’t even on the same playing field as him. Go for it.”
“You know nothing about my boyfriend, Janie, I’d be careful about what you say next.”
She raised her hands in surrender. “Not trying to start a fight, Cassidy. It’s just that Tom’s a catch and you rarely talk about your boyfriend. I saw him when he came to pick you up and he kind of looks rough, you know? Tom’s a total gentleman.”
“Okay, since I don’t really want to get into a cat fight, Janie, I’m going to ask that we stop this conversation. I purposely try to keep my private life private, but I will say something and I need you to hear me. I love my boyfriend. More than you or anyone could ever imagine. Not only is he good to me and my son, and loves us both dearly, he served this country and continues to serve it, so in my eyes he’s a hero. Maybe you and other people don’t see him on the same playing field as a man like Tom Dale. Well, I’d agree with you there, because Carter is the greatest human being I’ve ever known, and that includes the great Tom Dale.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Janie grumbled. “I’ll talk to you later.”
I didn’t respond as she walked away from my desk. There was no reason to. Janie Styles was a notorious gossip and could be vindictive as hell. I wasn’t interested in getting further on her bad side.
I decided there was only one thing to do. I had to return the flowers to Tom. I grabbed the vase and headed to the elevator. Once at his floor, I squared my shoulders, walked past the executive level receptionist desk, down the hall to his office. I knocked on the door, entered when bid, and set the flowers on his desk.
“You got them,” Tom said, rising to his feet with a smile.
“I did. They’re beautiful, but I’m sorry, I can’t accept them.”
“They’re just flowers, Cassidy,” he argued. “I know you had a rough day yesterday and I wanted to cheer you up.”
Well, that was seriously thoughtful.
“That’s very kind of you, Tom, seriously, and I don’t want to look ungrateful-”
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“Then take the flowers back to your desk, Cassidy
“I can’t I’m sorry.
“You can love? He crossed his arms and leaned against his desk Tell people your boyfriend sent them. It can be our late secret”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” I smiled. “I should get back to my desk. Have a lovely day.”
“Have lunch with me,” he said to my retreating back.
I faced him again and shook my head. “I brought my lunch today, but thanks for the offer. I really should get back to work”
“No worries,” he said, and I hightailed it back to my cubicle.
At just before noon, I entered the main kitchen and opened the fridge. I couldn’t stop a little swear as I showed things around in the icebox. My lunch had disappeared.
“What’s wrong?” Janie asked, and grabbed a Coke from the vending machine.
“My lunch has suddenly walked away,” I complained.
“Ugh, people suck. Mine got stolen last week. I’m thinking next time I bring something with me, I’m going to put a powerful laxative in it.”
“That’s actually a really good idea,” I said.
“Hello, ladies,” Tom said, and walked into the room.
“Hi, Tom,” Janie said. I just smiled.
“Did you finish up with the board?” Janie asked.
“I did.” Tom checked his watch. “Thought I’d grab lunch.”
Janie nodded. “You might want to take Cassidy with you. Someone stole hers.”
“No, it’s okay,” I rushed to say. “I’ve got stuff at my desk.”
Week–old Ritz crackers and oatmeal, but beggars can’t be choosers.
“Who would steal someone’s lunch?” Tom asked, disgusted.
“It happens all the time around here,” Janie informed him.
I gaped at her. She was just a wealth of information today.
“What do you say, Cassidy?” Tom asked. “Can I take you to lunch It’ll have to be quick because I have a meeting in two hours.”
That was a quick lunch? Good lord, to be an executive.
“No, really, it’s okay,” I said.
“I insist. You’ve got to eat, after all, and I’m starving.” He smiled. “We’ll just head to the deli across the street.”
I was hungry and it was just lunch. Besides, since the deli was within walking distance, it’s not like I was getting in a car with him, so it’s not like it was a date or anything.
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Chapter W
“Okay, sure, That sounds
I said.
Gaby Whee did I feel like I was cheating?
“Stall wel he asked.
11 just grab my purse.”
“No, It’s on nie. We won’t be long.”
“You kids have fun.” Janie said, and I followed Tom to the elevators.
Ace
I slid out from under the sixty–seven Mustang I was working on and smiled at Maverick who was sitting relatively quietly on a chair by one of the tool cabinets. His face was focused on my ad, probably because I’d loaded a bunch of games on there
for him.
“Ace,” Booker called, his voice echoing through the shop.
“Here, brother.” I rose to my feet and wiped my hands on a rag… not that it helped much. I probably should have worn gloves, but what I was doing was delicate and I needed to feel my way with limited visibility.
“Got somethin‘ on that number you sent me.”
“Mav, let’s go hang inside for a bit,” I said, and waited for him to follow me.
Once Maverick was settled safe within sight, but out of earshot, took the pages that Booker handed me. “The fucker called Cassidy on her cell phone?”
“Yeah. I did more digging and Tom Dale has more than one cell He has a company one and a private one. He called her from his private one.” Booker pointed to page two. “The guy left New York under suspicious circumstances, but nothing’s in writing and no one’s talking. Mack’s got a P.I. looking into it in person. For someone who’s made it so far up the chain so young, there’s no chatter about him. Not one fuckin‘ thing, and that doesn’t sit well with me. There’s nothing positive or negative about him.”
I skimmed through the information. “Yeah, you’d think he’d have a hell of a lot more out there than this. It reads like a scripted professional biography. Even his social media seems vague.”
“Any clue on what he wants with Cassidy?”
“He wants her,” I said. “But she thinks he’s a nice guy with no ulterior motives.”
Booker sighed. “And she’s not listenin‘ to your warnings.”
“Nope. Fuck me, this guy’s not right.”
“Got your back, brother.”
“Preciate it, Book.”
I grabbed Maverick and we headed back into the shop to work on the car some more. I tried to put the pit in my gut aside, but the more I thought about the asshole sniffin‘ after Cassidy, the more concerned I became.
Cassidy
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Chapter 8)
Lunch with Tom was surprisingly land and, stare leay kind often. He was funny and sweet, and as janie hart said, a gentleman. He park to the meal, which I appreciated since List budgeted for a lunch our the week. I quite liked the man, alleagh maybe not the same way he seemed in like the
I was willing to admit that Cartes might have been right, but I was confident I could handle the situation and do in withour Caner’s Neanderthal ingericike.
Isaw Tom again as I was leaving, but just a wave goodbye, then was on my way home. I was feeling pretty confident in myself as I walked into my apartment. Even if I wasn’t interestcilin Tom, it was flattering to have such a successful and good–looking man interested in me.
“Hey, babe,” Carter called from the kitchen.
“Hi, honey.” I dropped my purse on the sofa and made my way to him, raising up on tiptoes to kiss him. “How was your day?”
“Good. Yours?”
I smiled. “Well, other than someone stealing my lunch from the fridge, it was good.”
“Hi, Mom!” Maverick said, as he wrapped his arms around my waist. “I helped Carter fix a Mustang.”
“You did? That’s awesome, buddy. What else did you guys do?”
“We ate lunch with the brothers. They were so cool, Mom! But they kind of swear a lot.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Well, that’s what some adults do, honey, but they’re allowed to because they’re adults. As long as you don’t start copying them, it’s all good.”
“I won’t, Mom.” He lowered his voice. “But just so you know, when I make Lily my old lady, I might say
“Maverick!”
“Sorry, Mom.”
‘fuck.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing… or washing his mouth out with soap. I was conflicted on which way to go, so I dropped my shaking head onto Carter’s arm.
“Go wash up, Mav. Dinner’s almost ready,” Carter said.
He rushed off to do what he was told, and I dissolved into giggles while Carter wrapped an arm around me. “What are you men teaching my child?”
Carter chuckled. “You’d be surprised by how little they actually swear around him. They’re used to watching their tongues with the other kids, but sometimes shit filters out.”
“I was wondering more about the whole “old lady” thing. Good lord, are you creating a pint–sized biker badass under my nose?”
He grinned and took a swig of beer. “He’s gonna see it with us, so he’s gonna have to figure out which way to go when he’s older.”
“Hmm–mm,” I grumbled.
“Did you figure out who stole your lunch?”
1 shook my head. “No. I ended up having lunch with…” My plans to filter had just gone horribly wrong, so I grabbed a soda out of the fridge and opened it.
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Chapter S
Carter crossed his arms and leaned against the
I sighed. “You can’t get mad
Your ended up having lunch with?”
“Fuck me, he ground out. “You had lunch with that dipshit Torys”
“It’s not like it was planned. He was in the kitchen and Janie told him someone stole my lunch. He was being nice!”
“He was probably the one who fuckin‘ stole it, Cassidy!”
I gasped. “He wouldn’t.”
“And you’re fuckin‘ naïve if you really believe that.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m an idiot, Carter.”
“Babe, I don’t think you’re an idiot. Far from it. And I know why he’d do something like that. If I were him, I’d probably do the same thing.”
“You’d steal my lunch,” I countered.
“To get you to go out with me? Hell, yeah I would. But it’s not just about that.” Carter dragged his hands down his face. “What the hell is this fucker up to?”
“Nothing. He knows about you. He knows I’m not interested in him. I’ve been very clear and you hit him for Pete’s sake! Pretty sure he got the picture.”
“Guys like that don’t listen, Cassidy.”
“Guys like you,” I observed.
“He and I are nothing alike.”
I rolled my eyes. “I think you and he are more similar than you’d like to admit. You’re both strong, successful men, who
you, and can you honestly say that if I decided you know what they want and go after it. I certainly never had a chance with and I were over, you wouldn’t wage an all–out war to get me back”
“Is that what you want? Us to be over?” His tone was one of anger and panic.
“No! Of course not. I love you. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just simply trying to get you to see it from another side.” I slid my hands up his chest and looped them behind his neck. “I think I can handle a man who isn’t nearly as sexy and delicious as you are. I think I kind of already have.”
“What do you mean?”
“Okay, don’t get mad.”
“Don’t fuckin‘ tell me not to get mad, Cassidy.”
I frowned. “Well, then I’m not going to tell you.”
“Mom!” Maverick called. “I’m wet.”
“Cassidy,” Carter growled.
“We’ll talk about it later,” I said, and headed to the bathroom. Maverick had managed to soak the entire front of himself while washing his hands. “Oh my gosh, buddy, what happened?”
He lowered his eyes.
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Chapter 81
“Maverick Carter Dennis, what did you do?”
Tm sorry. Mom. Ljust wanted in see how far the water would shoot,
I groaned and grabbed a towel from the towel rack. “Strip”
He removed his clothes and I wrapped the towel around him. “Now, go get in your pajamas, we can skip a shower tonight”
“Yes,” he hissed, and jogged off to his room.
“You okay?” Carter stood in the doorway and frowned.
“Yes,” I said with a sigh. “Our kid just decided to have a water gun fight without an actual water gun.. or a target.”
Carter grinned from ear–to–ear as he grabbed another towel and began to help me sop up the water.
“What?” I asked as I stood.
“You just said, ‘our kid.“”
I smiled. “Did I?”
“Yeah, baby, you did.”
“Well, he is, right?”
“Damn right he is,” Carter said, and kissed me. “I love you, you know that, right?”
“Yes. I love you too.”
We finished cleaning up the mess and then sat down to eat.
“Maverick, next time you make a mess like that, you’ll need to clean it up, got it?” Carter said.
Maverick dropped his eyes to his lap. “Okay.”
“And no using language like that, even if you’re making a joke, yeah? At least, not around your mom.”
“Not around anybody,” I countered.
Maverick gave Carter a little grin, but nodded when I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Okay,” Maverick said.
“Apologize to your mom, please,” Carter added.
“Sorry, Mom.”
I smiled. “I forgive you, buddy.”
Carter rustled his hair and we dug into the food. Again, Carter outdid himself with the chili he’d started that morning in the crock pot. I admitted that if he was willing to shop and cook for us, I’d do dishes and laundry, and he’d never hear me complain. The deal was struck and the roses confession was forgotten.
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