Chapter 11
Emmy
I am a coward of the highest order.
I’ve been hiding out in my bedroom all morning. I can hear Cas pottering around downstairs but I’m too chicken to go down there. I’m washed and dressed but have nowhere to go, so I’ve decided to sit down and read a book. Every time I get to a spicy scene, I get flashbacks of last night with Cas. I cringe as I remember the way I dry humped him like a fricking teenager. Groaning, I close the book and smack it on my head. I haven’t a clue what reaction I’m going to get from him, I ran away last night when he probably expected sex. The times I would say no to Chad, he would call me names and eventually because I was so sick of being treated like shit, I would always end up giving him what he wanted anyway.
I’m arguing with myself internally when I hear Cas’s footsteps coming up the stairs, and for some reason, I don’t want to be caught doing nothing, I chuck my book and stand up, straightening my hair and clothes down. I’m being ridiculous, I know I’m being ridiculous, so I walk over to the door and press my ear against it, straining to hear what he’s doing. I don’t hear a thing, and then he raps his knuckles on the door, almost deafening me. I squeak and jump away like the door has burned me, then roll my eyes because now he knows I’m up here, but then he already knew I was up here because I live here. God, can I be any more ridiculous? His voice breaks through yet another argument with myself.
“Emmy?”
My cheeks burn as I squeaked out, “Hello.”
Oh, for crying out loud, that response was weak, even for me.
I hear Cas laugh “Well hello to you too Emmy. Do you think you could open your door for me or will we talk through it?”
I walk over to the door and say the first thing that comes to my mind “Can I help you with something?”
turns out that first thing was just as stupid as the last, I drop my head down and hit it on the door “Ow”
great now Cas is fully laughing at me, my cheeks burn hotter than the sun.
“Come on, Emmy, open the door. I have something for you.”
I listen closely to his voice for any trace of him being annoyed from last night, all I hear is amusement, and ever so carefully I inch the door open and peek my head around it to find Cas standing there with a tray full of breakfast, coffee and orange juice. I look to the tray, back up to Cas and back down to the tray. My mouth opens and closes a couple of times, Cas lifts an eyebrow at me, nods towards the door, and mechanically I open it wide for him to come into my room. He puts the tray down on my vanity table and turns to me smiling. Wow, I love it when he smiles.
While I’m busy drooling he says “I wasn’t sure what you wanted for breakfast, so I decided to make you a few things.”
I laugh “A few? The tray is overflowing Cas”
his cheeks tinge pink and I hurry to say “I love it though. Thank you. No one has ever made me a breakfast this nice before”
he shakes his head like he can’t believe me and I whisper “so you’re not mad with me then?”
His eyes snap up to mine and he looks genuinely hurt and confused “Emmy, why the hell would I be mad at you?”
I shrug my shoulder, “Well, because of last night. We had a moment after your dance, and then I disappeared when we got home and left you alone”, he’s shaking his head at me, a look of disbelief on his face.
“Emmy, the only thing that makes me mad is the prick that caused you to worry like that”, he gestures for me to sit on the bed. I climb back in and pull the blankets over me. He puts the tray onto my lap and then climbs on the covers beside me. He lifts a croissant for me to take, I grab it and bite into it and oh…my…God the flaky goodness is to die for.
I don’t realise I’m lost in the moment till I open my eyes and see Cas staring straight at me, his eyes blazing. “Um…Cas, are you ok?”
He shakes his head and chuckles “Yeah…uh…sorry. I actually came up here with another agenda, aside from feeding you of course,”
I tuck into the breakfast he’s given me and pass him a croissant to eat. He takes his time chewing, and I patiently await what he says. Finally, he turned to me and looked almost hesitant.
“I don’t regret what happened between us last night, Emmy, and don’t for one second think I do, but I told you that living here with me and working for my family’s company came with no strings attached, and I meant it. I don’t want you thinking I want something with you out of convenience. You get that don’t you?”
I nod and look away, squeezing my eyes shut as they burn. I can feel the tears burning at my throat, which is stupid because I knew this would happen. This is where he tells me that he’s not interested in anything more, or maybe he wants a bit of fun and doesn’t want me to get too attached. I’m lost in my thoughts and not listening until I feel Cas grab hold of my chin and turn my face towards him.
“Emmy, were you even listening to me then?”
I shake my head, no. “I want to do this right. I want to take you out on a date, but I don’t want you to feel pressured or think you have to, because even if you say no you still have a place to live and your job…and why are you looking at me like that?”
I can’t help it; my face is nearly splitting when I smile. He wants me. Actually, wants me to go on a date with him.
“I’d love to Cas”
I kiss him on his cheek and sit back just in time to see his ears tinge pink.
“Ok…well that’s great. I’ll plan something for next week. How about Saturday? Are you free on Saturday?”
“Yeah, I’m free next Saturday.”
I’m smiling so hard right now. In all my years with Chad, he took me on maybe three or four dates, only at the start of the relationship. Hayleigh always told me that what Chad did for date night, a movie of his choice and home, was not considered a proper date. I’m excited to see what Cas has in mind. We sit there in comfortable silence and eat the rest of the breakfast Cas made.
Cas finally breaks our silence “Do you have everything ready for tonight?”
I smile at the fact that he remembered that tonight was the surprise bridal shower I’m throwing for Hayleigh, just the fact that he takes an interest makes me giddy inside.
I nod my head “Yeah, I’m all set. I’ve told Hayleigh we’re going out for a bit of tea. I was thinking of telling her I’m feeling a bit down and asking if she will dress up with me. Do you think that’s stupid?”
my nose scrunches but Cas smiles at me and shakes his head.
“Not stupid at all Emmy. I actually think it’s pretty smart; hopefully, she won’t have a clue about your plans. Just make sure you have a good time tonight, you deserve it,”
we smile at each other. Cas starts to get up “well I need to get going, I’m on alcohol duty for Sunday dinner tomorrow. If I don’t bring my mums favourite wine I’ll likely be disowned”
he moves to the door and then stops, turns back around and hesitates as if he wants to say something more, then shakes his head as if thinking better of it and with that he’s gone.
I grab my phone from the side of the bed and call Hayleigh.
“Mmmelllow”
she answers on the fifth ring but it’s all garbled. I look at the clock and see it’s not too early so she must be sleeping in.
“Good morning my beautiful friend. I just wanted to see if you were free today to do some shopping before we head out to tea?”
I almost high-five myself with my top-notch planning skills. Not only have I organised her a surprise bridal shower for tonight with all her friends, her mum and mother-in-law but I’ve also organised for us both today a trip to get something to wear for tonight, some lunch at a new Italian place and the salon all before we come back here to get changed and then on to her surprise shower. If only I could get her out of bloody bed.
I hear her ruffle around and then a muffled ‘fucking hell’ “Sorry…I’m here…ow…shit”
I laugh as I listen to her drop the phone and muffle a few more swear words “Sorry Emmy, I must have overslept. What did you say before?”
“I wanted to know if we could go out today, just the two of us, I want to do a bit of shopping before tonight and I feel like I haven’t seen you properly for a few weeks”
“Aww Emmy, I miss you too and yes, I am free as a bird all day. Good timing actually, Pete is going golfing for a bit today with…”
she trails off and I know who she was going to say.
“It’s ok Hayleigh you can say it…Count Dickless”
we both dissolve into fits of giggles and it’s the first time I genuinely think of Chad and not feel much if anything at all.
“Yeah, sorry Em…anyway like I said I’m free as a bird. I need breakfast and time to wake up…so shall we say about 12ish?”
“Sounds perfect to me, Hayl’s. Although I don’t need any more breakfast, Cas made me have enough breakfast in bed earlier.”
I realise my mistake as soon as Hayleigh shrieks down the phone.
“Excuse me? Back the fuck up lady! I need to know right now whether or not you mean breakfast in bed or you mean bbbbbbrrrreeeeaaaakkkkkfast in bed”
she’s cackling down the phone and I can’t help but join in.
“Jesus Hayleigh, is your mind always in the gutter…hang on don’t even bother answering that of course it is, but you’re going to have to wait till lunchtime to find out”
“What? Why do I have to wait!”
“Well…because it’s worth it!”
I quickly say my goodbyes and hang up before she can dig for more information.
I finish my breakfast in bed and then get ready. Once I’m done, I take my tray downstairs and see Cas sitting at the kitchen island. He looks up from his phone and smiles at me. I love it when his dimples show. I stood there smiling back at him, probably looking deranged, but I couldn’t stop looking away.
“Um Emmy? Do I have something on my face, because you’re staring. Really, hard?”
Cas presses his lips together, trying not to laugh as my cheeks heat up and I feel it spread down my neck. I scurry over to the sink and put my tray down. As if I could get any more embarrassed, he probably thinks I have something wrong with me. Why did I stand there and stare at him like a creeper?
“You know your thoughts are pretty loud, Emmy”, Cas chuckles, and I can’t help but join in. “Do you still want me to drop you and Hayleigh off tonight? I’ve also asked Ethan and Rafe to help bring everyone else, and Vik will bring Tanya.”
I turn around and gasp when I see Cas standing so close.
“Um…sure, that would be just swell”
swell? Christ on a bike! Who even says that? He renders me stupid, that’s the only explanation. “I mean…ha…um, thank you Cas that would be very nice”
he smiles at me.
“Great. I’m heading out to pick up a few bits, but I’ll make sure I’m back in time to drive you and Hayleigh. Scruff’s already been taken care of this morning,”
he leans in, and I hold my breath, he brushes his lips against my cheek and I close my eyes. His lips move to my ear, “I can’t wait to see your outfit for tonight, you’re going to look beautiful, Emmy”
I shiver at his words, and when I open my eyes again, he’s leaving. Get a grip on yourself, Emmy. You’re a bloody mess.
***********
After meeting up with Hayleigh and getting ourselves pampered and shopping within an inch of our lives, we finally headed back home to prepare for tonight. I’ve spent all day trying to stop myself from blurting out that I’ve organised a surprise for Hayleigh. She has no clue about tonight and I cannot wait to see her face. I carry my bags upstairs as Hayleigh takes one of the spare rooms to get ready. My phone buzzes and my stomach flips wondering if it’s Cas.
Count Dickless
Are you going to speak to me yet?
Count Dickless
Emily?
Count Dickless
Don’t fucking ignore me!
Count Dickless
Emily I swear to fucking god you better message me back
Count Dickless
Fine. Fuck you whore. I don’t fucking need you
I read the messages, and my heart rate spikes as anger coursed through me. How could I have never seen the way he spoke to me before? I remember when he used to message me like this, and I’d call him crying and apologising. How stupid I was. Just as I’m about to put my phone down, it rings, and I answer without looking at who is calling.
“I didn’t reply to your messages so you can just not bother calling me Chad. You’re cruel and frankly you’re being a dick”
I don’t usually swear but that felt good.
“Emmy, it’s Cas. Has that prick been bothering you?”
Cas’s voice is low, and he sounds beyond angry.
“Oh…Cas. I am so sorry. I got a few text messages and then my phone rang but I was too annoyed to see who was calling me and I just answered and…”
“Breathe Emmy. I’m not pissed off at you, it’s Count Dickless I’m pissed off with. Can you do me a favour please Emmy?”
I answer without thinking, “yes”, Cas chuckles “, Block him. As soon as you put the phone down to me, you go on that phone and block his number, and then I want you to text me to tell me you have done it. You don’t deserve whatever shit he’s dishing out to you.”
He sighs “I called to let you know the gift bags have been taken to Chrissy’s chocolate shop. I’ll pick you both up in an hour,”
he hangs up and I did as he asked and blocked Chad.
I walk downstairs and see Hayleigh sitting at the kitchen island, with Scruff jumping up at her. As soon as she sees me, she wolf whistles. I’d gone for a tight-fitting black bodycon dress with a sweetheart neckline, curled my hair and did my makeup, and I had to admit it felt nice to do something just for me for once.
“You look gorgeous, Emmy!”
she says as Cas walks through the door. I watch his eyes take me in, his jaw dropping.
“Wow”
That was it; just one word, and it ignited my body. Hayleigh sits there, an amused look on her face, watching both of us.
She says, “Ok. Cas, please pick your jaw up off the floor, you won’t be driving us anywhere unless you get your brain to engage”
I burst out laughing and this breaks the spell, his ears tinged pink and he straightens up.
“You both look beautiful. Are you ready to head out?”
I nod and Hayleigh makes her way out to the car. I walk to where Cas is, his eyes roam over my body. I walk past him and he catches my arm. We’re side on and I look at him, he looks me in the eyes, down to my lips, and back up again. I wait for him to make a move but instead he moves in slowly and kisses my cheek. I’m both disappointed and a little relieved. Disappointed because I enjoyed when he did kiss me, but relieved because I know he’s showing me he’s serious about dating me and doing things right. It’s nice to have a man that keeps his promises and makes an effort. I go to the car and slide next to Hayleigh in the back. I feel her eyes bore into me and I eventually give up and look at her.
“What?”
I’m laughing as I ask her.
She shakes her head and says “He’s got it bad Emmy”
Cas gets in the truck, and I don’t say anything else.
**********
We pull up to Chrissy’s Chocolate Heaven, and I watch Hayleigh look confused. She turns to me, “Emmy, I thought we were going for food. I love chocolate as much as the next girl, but I was also hoping for something savoury.”
Before I can say anything, Cas says “Don’t worry, Hayleigh, there will be plenty of food inside. You two have a good night. Emmy, call me when you want me to come get you.”
I drag Hayleigh out of the truck and wave goodbye to Cas. I link arms with her and pull her along but before we go through the doors, I turn her to face me.
“I wanted to do something special for you, including everyone that couldn’t come to your hen party.”
Then I opened the doors, and everyone inside erupted into shouts of surprise. A few confetti cannons were set off.
When Hayleigh sees everyone inside waiting for her, she bursts into tears. I hadn’t had a chance to set up the room, keeping Hayleigh busy, but Cas told me he would take care of it. As I walk in, I gasp. All the gift bags were organised on the side of the room on a table, and on either side were two beautiful pink and silver balloon decorations. There was a balloon arch with Hayleigh’s Bridal Shower in a beautiful cursive sign next to it. He had outdone himself.
Chrissy met us and asked if we all wanted to move to the magic room where she would give us a chocolate demonstration and explain what we needed to do. When I contacted Chrissy, I explained this was for a bridal shower and she said she had the perfect activity for us to do. We all walked into the room, and we paired off and sat at tables each covering whatever was on the table with a white cloth. Chrissy stood at the top of the room.
“Welcome to my Chocolate Heaven everyone. Normally, when I do these lessons, I use moulds such as egg shapes or whatever the season is, but given this is a bridal shower, I thought we would use something a little more fun if you all want to take off the white cloths from the table for me. To the mother of the bride & the mother-in-law, I am really sorry,”
she chuckled, and we all did as she asked. There were more than a few whoops of delight, and Hayleigh dissolved into fits of giggles next to me at the moulds we were using. Chrissy spoke up again, “That’s right, folks. Tonight, you’re going to be making chocolate cocks!”