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“Typical.” Jane hmphed. “Leave it to men to only come up with something profound and kindhearted with something happens to them. Why can’t they ever just apologize because it’s the right thing to do?!”
I turned to Jane. “Hey, that’s my line and my bitterness. What’s eating you?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Just stressed. Derek is being difficult about things with the wedding. Just wants it to be over, and it’s annoying me.”
“I’m sorry, Jane. We can talk about that instead,” I said brightly, happy to not have to share about my slowly crumbling life.
“No way, baby! Your life is far more interesting these days.” Jane grinned.
“Fine. So, after meeting with Jason, I realized I didn’t feel anything for him anymore. Now that the apology is out there, I feel like I’m totally free. I want Brad, but…maybe I made it more than it was. And maybe I’m just as bad as my mom, hanging out with a rich, sexy man, hoping to get something out of it.”
“No, that is not you at all!” Sadie cried. “Do not even say that. You’re literally nothing like your mom. You work hard for what you want, and you earn it! And you’ve never been turned on by money. If fact, you almost swing the opposite way.” She and Jane both laughed.
“Yeah, remember that near homeless guy you slept with?” Jane asked.
“He was hipster!” We all laughed at my outcry, and I started to feel better, if not a little bit drunk.
“I guess. But clearly, he’s not the one for me. If he could just fall as easily for my mom’s tricks like any other billionaire.” I wiped another tear from my cheek.
I was furious with Brad and my mom, but at the same time, I was furious with myself. How could I fall like this, and again? After I’d learned my lesson.
But Jason apologized. He knew he wronged you. The past is over.
And yet I still felt like I was going through it again. Starting to care about someone who didn’t care about me the same in return.
“Look.” Jane took my other hand. “Why don’t you talk to him? Get the truth. Then, you can start to feel all these things. But don’t start until you speak to him. Maybe it was a mistake. You know how hard your mom pushes. I wouldn’t put it past her to have jumped into his lap conveniently right when you’re about to walk through the door.” She shrugged and smiled at me, and I took a deep breath.
“Yeah, I guess. That’s possible. But don’t you think this is all so stupid? Like I’ve only just met the guy really. I don’t know that much about him.”
“What do you like about him? Go on. And sometimes, when you know you know.” She winked at me, and I rolled my eyes.
“I have always hated that saying.” I thought for a few seconds. “But fine. I like that he’s confident. He’s old enough to have been around and to feel confident in his own skin. I like that he takes charge, and he does things without caring about other people’s opinions. I was on the receiving end of that, but it’s an admirable trait. It can be taken too far though. I like how sweet he is with his daughter. He cares, and he’s a good dad.” I paused. “He’s so kind and respectful to me too.”
“Wow. This guy sounds amazing! We have to meet him like for real!!” Sadie cried, and I laughed, fresh tears streaming down my face.
My phone buzzed, and when I picked it up, I wasn’t that surprised to see a message from Jason.
Hey, I know maybe this is a little premature, but I’d love to do lunch sometime. Just as friends. What do you say?
But as I read the text aloud, a call was coming through. It was from Brad. Suddenly, all my fears rushed back, and I hung up on him.
Nope. Not ready to deal with that yet. Not at all.
* * *
BRAD
I couldn’t sleep. The night before, I saw that Cassie had hung up on my call, and I was so upset, I couldn’t just relax. Luckily, we would be at work that day, and it was possible I’d have the chance to talk to her, let her hear my side. Tell her it was all a mistake.
Tell her you’re crazy about her too. That would do it.
No, I wasn’t sure I was ready for that yet. But I did want her to know that I cared. That I wanted her to be around more than just as a hookup. I wanted her in my life, and I didn’t want some silly mistake with her mom to end things.
I worked out and got dressed, sending Camilla off to school with Andrea, but I wasn’t focused. I had a due date for an article that had already passed. This stuff with Cassie was really taking over a lot of my thinking time. The magazine editor had contacted me yesterday asking about it, and I hadn’t gotten around to writing back yet.
At least it was more of an interview piece and didn’t require any research. But it was still important, and as the owner of the magazine, I had to make it a good article. When I got into the office, I got a visit from Stevie with the reports.
“Hey, Stevie, how are things going?” I hardly looked up from my desk when she came in, trying to act busy even though my mind was so jumbled.
