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I was glad she changed the subject.
“Parkrose waterfront, the place I work at.” I shrugged.
“You got your old job back?”
“Well, I think my mom talked her into it.” I shrugged.
“Mrs. Peterson loves you. You are practically family to her.” Cassie smiled, and then started driving. I nodded. She was right, I guess.
Cassie pulled up to the restaurant and we got out. We were greeted by the host right away. She seated us by the front window.
“Your waitress is Cora, and she’ll be right with you,” the hostess said with a smile, handing us our menus before walking away.
“What’s the plan for the weekend?” I asked, reading over the menu. “You have me for the next four days because I don’t start work until Monday,” I said, looking over the top of the menu.
“Four days, huh? I’m sure there’s plenty of trouble we can get into by Monday.” She laughed. I nodded with a smile. Distraction was exactly what I needed right now.
“Sorry about earlier, by the way.” Cassie said, breaking the silence that fell upon us.
“Don’t apologize for him. I don’t hold you responsible for his actions,” I replied reaching across the table to touch her hand.
“I know. It just bothers me that he is that callous about everything.” She sighed.
“Well, we have no control of others’ actions,” I said, then put my menu down, ready to order. “Besides, it’s not the first time I have had to deal with a jerk similar to Mason.”
“I bet.” She smirked.
After breakfast we drove to the boutique where Cassie normally shopped for her gowns. The masquerade was the next dance for the elites, a charity event for the local children’s hospital. Every year at Halloween the Harper family organized and planned the charity ball. When I was a kid, my parents used to attend the masquerade. My family donated every year. I knew my mom wouldn’t attend the masquerade this year. Before moving to L.A., I had the opportunity of attending a few times.
“So any ideas on what you want to wear?” Cassie asked. “No.” I shrugged. It had been three years since I attended such an event. Matt and I had attended several black-tie events but nothing as extravagant as the Harpers’ masquerade ball.
“Well my family is wearing blue. Therefore, blue is out of the questions. How about red?” She spun around with a beautiful strapless floor-length satin dress. “Red is perfect for you.” Cassie grinned widely. The dress was incredibly gorgeous.
“Red . . . But then I’ll stand out,” I said.
“That’s the point.” Cassie chuckled. I screwed my lips and stared a little longer at the dress. The bustier top had a silver filigree embroidered design over a dark-red satin. The skirt billowed out slightly, a wave of ruffles pinned by a single white jewel buttoned to every layer.
“This is gorgeous, Cassie,” I gasped holding it in my hands, quickly peeking at the price tag. “It’s too much.” I handed it back.
“Shush up. If you want it, it’s yours.” She handed the dress to the saleswoman helping us. “We need some accessories to match,” she said. The saleswoman nodded and gestured for us to follow. Cassie picked out a pair of red-and-white jeweled dangle earrings, a short layered beaded necklace, black-and-red bangles and a wraparound beaded bracelet to match the necklace and a little black diamond-studded clutch purse.
“For the shoes and mask we’ll have to go to a different store.” Cassie placed everything on the counter.
“What about you?”
“Oh, I have had my dress for over a month.” She smirked.
I nudged her with my shoulder, smiling, feeling the sting on my cheeks. I hated feeling out of place in her world. It wasn’t as though my parents weren’t as rich as all of them. Our wealth arrived later in life. When I left for L.A., I didn’t want my parents to continue to support me. I wanted to prove that I was capable of doing it on my own. However, without Matt I probably would have moved home after six months of living on my own. My breath hitched in my chest. Just the thought of him brought tears to my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Cassie said as she turned and noticed my watery eyes.
“Nothing.” I smiled and wiped the tear that managed to escape.
“You sure? Shopping isn’t therapy for everyone.” She touched my arm affectionately. “However, drinking is.” She smirked.
“I’m fine.” I laughed.
The saleswoman eyed us.
