Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Austin
It’s nearly the end of June, and my performance with Cassie at Bowman’s is happening this Saturday night.
For the most part, things between the two of us have been great.
We’ve been rehearsing, going on dates and walks, and having nights in where we curl up on my sofa to watch each other’s favourite films. Every time we work a closing shift together, she comes home with me instead of staying at the B&B.
A couple of weeks ago, I even gave Cassie a key to my place.
Now, some nights when I’m working and she isn’t, she hangs out here rather than in her room at The Dragonfly.
Getting to crawl into my bed beside the woman who holds my heart in her hands after a long shift is the perfect way to end a day.
She still stays at the B&B occasionally and, on those nights, I miss her even though she’s barely a five-minute drive away.
Her secrets still hang between us, but I’m doing my best not to dwell on that.
Cassie’s built a full life for herself here—I trust she’s not going anywhere.
Glancing out the kitchen window, I’m pleased to see the sky is the same beautiful bright blue it was when I woke up this morning.
There isn’t a cloud in sight, which I’m sure the recent influx of visitors to Pine Grove is happy about.
Tourist season is well and truly underway, and the town has seen a real uptick in holidaymakers this past week.
Cassie stands next to me, squeezing lemon juice into the bowl of coleslaw she’s preparing while I finish slicing burger buns for the homemade patties waiting in the fridge.
Knowing how nervous I am about performing at Bowman’s on Saturday, she suggested we invite a few of our close friends over for a barbecue in my back garden.
The plan is for us to play the two songs we’ve been rehearsing for everyone after dinner.
Spending the afternoon in the kitchen with her preparing the food for this evening has helped take my mind off my nerves somewhat.
It’s impossible to feel anything but content with her working alongside me.
It’s like I’m being shown a snapshot of the future we could have together.
“Where do you want this?” Cassie asks, holding up the large bowl. A few of her coffee-brown curls have escaped the haphazard bun she tossed her hair up in before we started cooking, and her delicate wire-frame glasses have slipped down the bridge of her nose. She looks beautiful.
“Next to the salad, please,” I reply, gesturing to the free spot on the round kitchen table.
I’m momentarily distracted by the sight of her leaning over—her denim shorts fit her sinfully well—when the doorbell rings.
“Shit, I’m not ready.” Cassie wipes her hands on a tea towel, then yanks the elastic out of her hair. She’s frantically finger-combing the dark strands into some semblance of order when I step closer and gently tug her closer by her belt loops.
“Relax. You look perfect.” Leaning down, I kiss her softly.
Cassie rests her head against my chest, circling her arms around my waist. “It’s our first time hosting as a couple. I want it to go well.”
“It’s just you, me, and some of the people who love us. Everything will be fine, I promise.” I kiss the top of her head. “Thank you for suggesting this. It’s been too long since I had the guys over.”
The bell rings again, and Cassie steps back. “You’d better get that. I’ll finish up here.”
A couple of hours later, in my back garden, surrounded by our friends and their empty plates, the last note of the second song Cassie and I are going to perform at Bowman’s together rings through the warm evening air.
“Mate, that was fantastic,” Dev crows. Everyone else joins in with their own praise and noises of agreement as Cassie and I put our guitars away.
Even though it’s after nine at night, the sky above is still light, the evening sun bathing everything in a soft orange glow.
Mei, Phoebe, Daphne, and Gem sit around the picnic table, their outfits ranging from summer dresses to more casual shorts.
Jeremy keeps glancing over at Phoebe from his spot on a tartan picnic blanket, then looking away every time she catches him.
There’s something going on there, but I have no clue what.
Dev is sprawled out on his stomach next to Jeremy, while Erin sits cross-legged on his other side.
On a blanket of their own, Francis lies with his head pillowed on Reggie’s thigh while Reg absentmindedly cards his fingers through his husband’s unruly locks.
Everyone is smiling and happy, and the sight fills my chest with a warm glow of appreciation for the wonderful people I’m fortunate to call friends.
Before Cassie came to town, I’d let myself get so caught up with work that I stopped putting in the effort to do anything fun outside of my weekly game night with the guys.
Not anymore. From now on, I’m going to be better at making time for the people and things I care about. Nights like this are precious.
Cassie steps closer, nudging my arm with her shoulder. “Are you feeling better about Saturday now?”
“Yeah. Thank you.” I wrap my arm around her, tucking her slight frame into my side. I feel better about a lot of things now that Cassie is in my life.