Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty Three
Cassi
We didn’t have sex last night, which felt kinda off.
For half a second, I was insecure that he was already bored of me.
When I shoved away that annoying little voice inside of me, though, I understood.
He was proving a point, sending home a message that he has been repeating since we got to Boston.
He isn’t just interested in sex with me, he wants more.
He feels more. And I really didn’t know how badly I needed him to prove that.
When he carried me to the master bedroom and held me in his arms all night something in me was soothed, calmed. Settled.
This morning we decided to head to a coffee shop that is just down the road from him, and yeah, I even made him use his two perfectly working legs and walk.
His hand slipped into mine so effortlessly, like it’s a habit we’ve adopted over decades together as we strolled the sleepy side street this morning.
I can smell the coffee shop before I see it, and when we round the corner, a quaint shop falls into sight.
Nico steps in front of me, grabbing the door and holding it open before I step inside.
Instantly, I’m greeted with the smell of freshly roasted coffee, sweet baked goods and something savory that smells entirely too delicious.
The little shop is bustling with customers but most seem to be getting theirs to go instead of taking a seat in their cushy assortment of seating scattered around the room.
“One black coffee, please,” Nico says as we walk up to the front before he turns to me.
“Two,” I chime in. “And one of whatever that amazing smell is!”
The barista nods and smiles as she taps in our order.
“Our bacon and chive croissants are crazy popular. Anything else?”
“Might as well make it two croissants. This big guy is always eating my food,” I say with an annoyed eyeroll.
She smiles and rings it up before Nico offers his credit card over. His mouth drops down to my ear as he whispers to me.
“I literally have never stolen your food.”
“True, but I’m really hungry and I didn’t want to look like a porker for ordering two for myself.”
He makes a noise somewhere between a guffaw and a choke before he looks down at me.
“Did you seriously just call yourself a porker?” he asks as the barista hands his card back.
We slide to the side so the person behind us can order as I shake my head.
“Nooo, I said I didn’t want to look like one.”
Nico rolls his eyes at me as he pockets his card. His hand reaches down to my waist, pinching it pointedly as he speaks.
“Don’t ever speak about yourself like that again. You could order fifty of them and you’d still be breathtakingly beautiful. You’re human. You’re supposed to eat.”
Wow. Thirteen year old Cassi struggling with her body and diet would have literally melted to a puddle and sobbed from that alone.
Is everything that comes out of his mouth just perfection or do you think he has writers behind the scenes coming up with pure gold for him to pull out whenever is convenient?
Our order is called soon and we make our way to a comfy looking couch with our drinks and food. I sit down first and I expect Nico to sit across from me in the chair but he surprises me by sitting beside me, resting his freehand on my thigh as he sips his coffee. I look up at him and smile.
I couldn’t believe him last night. I mean, I had hoped he was feeling at least a little bit of what I was.
But for him to just lay it all out on the table like that?
For him to silence every fear I’ve voiced and kept inside?
Absolutely annihilating all of my walls and hesitations with one long winded breath.
It took everything in me not to make a complete fool out of myself and tell him that I loved him.
Which would have been a mistake of massive proportions because love?
One week in? And he’s not even single. Yeah, even I’m not that dumb.
“You keep looking at me like that and we’re going to have to take this coffee to go,” Nico smirks.
I perk up at that.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time.”
He grins, leaning in to kiss me when a cup is placed on the table and the chair across from us is pulled out.
“Hey,” a guy in his mid thirties smiles, taking a seat as his eyes bounce between us.
His black hair is so short it’s practically buzzed and his brown eyes swing between Nico and I with a curious smile.
“Jake,” Nico says stiffly.
His tone is warm, like greeting a friend but the way his body instantly goes rigid tells me something isn’t right.
“I thought you were still in Seattle until tomorrow,” Jake says to Nico before his eyes swing to me.
He offers his hand to me and smiles.
“Jake Quentin.”
“Cassi Fischer,” I say as I shake his hand.
Nico tenses when I use my last name at the same moment Jake’s eyes sharpen as he swings to Nico.
“Fischer? As in—”
“Carly’s younger sister, yes, I’m sure you’ve worked that much out already,” Nico says curtly.
“Hey, I didn’t say anything,” Jake says, his hands raised in defense. “She certainly looks nothing like Carly. She actually shook a strangers hand which tells me she doesn’t act like her either.”
“She is also in the room,” I say pointedly, earning an amused laugh from Jake.
“You’re right, my apologies. I just didn’t know that Nico was in town…or that he brought back a souvenir.”
I turn my head to the side in surprise.
“That’s a really trashy way to describe another human. Tell me, are you reducing me to nothing more than a souvenir based on me being a metaphorical novelty or do you just value women so little that they are nothing but a prize to be shown off?”
Jake blanches, his face going pale as he shakes his head.
“Swear to god, neither. I was trying to be funny, and nosey. I’m sorry. I meant no disrespect. Really.”
Nico squeezes my thigh, as if to put me at ease before he jumps in.
“Jake is head of HR at my company, which is why he’s ready to throw up at your properly perceived assumption.”
I blink at that as I look to Nico.
“Do I have to work at the company to file a complaint?”
Jake blanches even further, as if that were possible. I watch as Nico’s mouth twitches in amusement, though he doesn’t give it away as he moves his head from side to side in thought.
“Good question. I can file the complaint on behalf of you, though the only person above Jake is me so, consider the complaint filed.”
“Dude, what the fuck?” Jake says as he looks between us before my serious face drops and a laugh escapes me.
Nico breaks character too and Jake has some coloring returning to his face as he shakes his head.
“You guys are kinda assholes, you know that?”
I shrug, not the least bit sorry.
“Don’t be a misogynistic asshole. Excuse me,” I say as I stand up and head for the bathroom in the corner.
I round the corner and can’t help but pause when I notice that I can hear them perfectly. It’s not eavesdropping if it’s an accident, right?
“Nico, what the fuck?” Jake whispers.
“What?”
Jake sputters. “Wha…what do you mean what? You leave town with Carly to meet her family and you come home cozied up with her little sister? How old is she? Can she even drink?”
“Yes,” Nico snaps defensively. “Her age is none of your business, honestly, neither is anything about her.”
“Dude, you know I’d never judge you. I’m just surprised as all. It’s one thing to cheat on your girl but to do it with her sister in broad daylight—”
“I’m not cheating on Carly. We’re breaking up. She took a spur of moment vacation and we haven’t been able to talk but I’m ending it, for good.”
“Again, not judging. I’m processing,” Jake says.
I hear Nico sigh and I can practically see him shake his head.
“It’s a long story but…there is way more to it than you’re thinking.”
“I’m sure there is. This is so far out of character for you. I…okay, I’m judging a little. Only because I know how much you resented your dad for what he put you and your mom through when he had a mistress.”
There is a heavy pause between them before Nico’s voice lowers and his tone sharpens.
“This is not that, Jake.”
Another pause passes between them before Jake speaks.
“I believe you, sorry I insinuated. I’ll tell you, though, you sure know how to pick them. She’s a fucking spit fire.”
A laugh escapes Nico, one that is practically oozing pride.
“Yeah, she really is.”
I don’t know why, but that makes me smile. Not really his words but how he says it. I step away from the wall and move to the bathroom grinning the entire way.
When I come back out, Jake is gone and Nico smiles softly at me as I sit down.
“Where did the world’s worst HR manager go?”
Nico laughs at that. “Oh I’m absolutely getting him a mug that says that. He had to get going, he told me to tell you goodbye.”
I nod. “After he ruthlessly judged us orrrr?” I fish.
“Not us, me. There is a major difference.”
“I mean, I am the one sleeping with my sister’s boyfriend. Sure, you’re cheating on your girl but I’m breaking girl code and sister code. Pretty sure I’m the fucking worst.”
Nico shakes his head, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“Don’t. You know you’re the furthest thing from the worst.”
I shrug and Nico grabs my chin, pinching it between his fingers.
“You’re a great fucking person, okay? Running into Jake on this side of town was unexpected but he was the best person it could have happened with.”
“Why is that?”
“Because besides being my employee, he’s also my childhood best friend.”
“Really?” I ask.
Nico nods. “We grew up down the road together. Our parents were best friends, we have been attached at the hip since birth.”
“So he must know Carly pretty well then.”
Nico flattens his mouth and nods. “He’s not a fan.”
“Hey, me either,” I joke in attempt to diffuse the tension. Though to be fair, I think I’m the tension instigator in this moment.
Nico huffs in what I think is amusement before he nudges towards my croissants.
“Eat.”