AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Finally, my break comes and I step outside with my cup of coffee to call Beth and catch up with her. I reach into my apron and find my phone is dead. I spent the whole night scrolling online for inspiration for my bakery and totally forgot to charge it.
"Damn," I curse, and sit quietly drinking my coffee.
There isn’t much of a view back here, so I let myself dream of what's to come. My bakery–no more waiting tables and smiling at handsy customers who have more money than sense.
My life is going to be restored, back to what it was before and more. How did I get so lucky?
"Hey, beautiful. Thinking about me?" Ethan asks, leaning against the wall next to me.
I look over at him and playfully punch his arm. "Aren’t you full of yourself this morning…" I tease.
"I tried calling you," he says. "I need your help with something."
He pulls out his phone and opens a page with pictures of beautiful swimming pools, all large and sunny with umbrellas and cabanas along the sides.
"I'm trying to figure out which would be best for the resort," he explains. "I've been putting together a virtual tour based on the work we've done together and I'm stumped."
I look at the pictures carefully, and try to imagine just the two of us at each of the swimming pools.
"I like the cabanas with the light curtains. I think it's more romantic. Private, but not so private that you’re totally alone, you know," I say.
Ethan smiles, and he leans down to kiss my cheek. "Thank you," he says. "I knew you’d have an answer."
He stands next to me for a while, neither of us speaking, but it isn’t awkward. It's a companionable silence. Him on his phone, me drinking my coffee, until at last, a barman steps outside for his break.
He hardly notices us because he’s totally engrossed in his phone.
"I have to go. I have a few meetings today, but I'll see you later. Maybe we could catch a movie?" Ethan asks casually.
"Sounds like a plan," I say, trying to be equally casual.
He leans down and kisses me on the lips this time, holding me.
"Wear something sexy," he whispers.
I giggle. "Okay, I lo- I'll see you later," I quickly correct myself, and before I can say anything else to scare Ethan away, I run back into the club and sit in the locker room for what is left of my break.
"Get it together, Cassidy," I whisper to myself.
I try to remember Cameron Robinson's mantra, but it doesn't make any sense anymore.
22
Ethan
Isit at the back of my car and think about Cassidy. I’m excited to be seeing her later today and I can’t for the life of me remember the last time I felt this pumped about going to see a movie. I can’t even pretend to myself anymore, it isn’t the movie I'm excited about, it's Cassidy.
The more time I spend with her, the more time I want to spend with her. Talking, laughing, or even just sitting in silence. It all feels new, something I have never felt before.
Being with her is always a fun time. There is just something about her that puts me at ease. Thinking about it now does the opposite. It makes me anxious, makes me wonder if I'm thinking straight, if I'm doing the right thing and what the hell Cassidy is doing to make me feel this way.
Everything about my day makes me think of her. I pass by a bakery and take a picture of the storefront to show her. I consider buying a cupcake to show her that they aren't as good as hers.
I call my receptionist and realize it’s time to call it a day. I pack up and head home, making sure the fridge and the cupboards are stocked with all the things she likes. Then I start getting ready.
The situation is getting away from me. I know I've let this thing between Cassidy and I go too far, but I don't know what I could possibly do about it. I’m not even sure I want to do anything about whatever this thing is. Technically, we’re just business partners figuring out our complex business. But the way her body calls to me makes it impossible to think of just business when I’m with her. Then there is her innocent charm, the way she smiles and blushes at every complement. She surprises me with every conversation and I just can’t wait to see what she has in store for me tonight.
Dressed for the movies with a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates in my hands, I am a walking rom-com cliche. I climb out of the car and head into the apartment building, up the stairs to find Cassidy’s door.
