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14
Cass stepped over the threshold of the sliding door, her hands full of the biggest bowl of fruit salad she’d ever made.Everything here on the island tasted better, and she wasn’t sure if that was really true or was a placebo effect due to the sun, sand, and surf.
It didn’t matter.She adored a good fruit salad anyway, and this one had reds, yellows, oranges, greens, and purples.It was gorgeous, and she set it on the table where her friends had already gathered.“That’s everything,” she said.She didn’t take a seat, but instead stayed on her feet, hoping to draw everyone’s attention.
Bea looked up at her, saw something Cass couldn’t guess at, and said, “Ladies.Ladies!Settle down.”
The chatter dried up, and all eyes turned to Cass.She cleared her throat.“I have a few pieces of news.”
No one said anything, which was probably a record for them.Someone usually hadsomethingto say, something snarky or that they had realized something was off.She met Lauren’s eyes, who nodded slightly.
Of course Lauren had seen the chemistry between her and Harrison.The woman saweverything.It was why she was so good at her job and why she had never gotten married.Some might call herpicky, but Cass liked to label herdetailed.And the details mattered a great deal.
“I, uh, went out with Harrison Tate last week.”There.She’d said it.Pulled the pin on the grenade and thrown it.All that was left was to wait for it to explode.
It took one, two, three seconds for Bea to press her palms to the table and stand up.She faced her.“You did what?”
“She went out with Harrison,” Lauren said, her voice almost bored.
“It wasn’t really ‘out,’” Cass said, her hands winding together.“He made dinner for us at his house.”She looked at Joy, who looked like she’d seen a ghost.Bessie started to nod, her acceptance coming faster.
“Good for you,” Sage said.“You’re a good woman and have plenty of life to live.”She nodded, her wise eyes smiling at Cass.“Good for you, Cass, and Harrison seems really nice.”
“Heisnice,” Cass said, her gaze flying back to Bea’s.Why did she look like she’d just sucked on a lemon?“What’s wrong with me going out with Harrison?”
“Nothing,” Bea said innocently.Her voice pitched way too high, and Cass sank into her appointed chair.
“Sit down,” she said to Bea.“We might as well eat while you lecture me.”
“I’m not going to lecture you.”Bea sat down too.“I’m just surprised.”
“Join the club,” Joy said almost under her breath.Cass’s gaze flew to her.Joy didn’t sound very happy about the relationship, and Cass wondered why.
“Why is me going out with someone surprising?”Cass asked.
“Not someone,” Bea said slowly.She reached for the platter of sandwiches and plucked one section from the very middle.No one would want the butt of the six-foot sub, not even Cass herself.It was always too dry, without enough mayo and mustard on the meat.Maybe Conrad would eat it.
He’d gone down the street after Grant had told him about a “men’s grilling night” at Harrison’s, and Cass looked to her right.She couldn’t see down the beach, as houses, pools, and backyards sat in her way.Not only that, but the coast curved around to the left, which meant his house actually sat in front of hers geographically.
The thought of her son down the street with her boyfriend—she stalled there.Harrison was not her boyfriend.They hadn’t held hands or kissed.They’d been on one date—a really good date, but just the singular one.
“…that’s all I’m saying,” Bea said.
Cass had missed what she’d said.“Sorry,” she said, looking at her friend.“I missed that.”
“I said, I don’t think Harrison is…quite your type.”
Cass blinked at her.“And what type is that?”
“He does have a house in the community,” Bessie said.
Cass’s eyes flew to hers.“Are you saying he’s not good enough for me?”She lifted her chin and glared at Bea.“Because that’s ridiculous.The man owns his own construction firm here on the island.Even if he didn’t, I wouldn’t care.I don’t need some rich celebrity to take care of me.”
Bea shook her head and reached for the cheddar and sour cream potato chips.“That’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean, then?”
“I meant, he’s…he is more working class than business class.He’s not like West at all.”
