Chapter 14 #3
“Okay, now I know you’re delirious. You calling me funny? You would never.”
“Damn it, Nate.” She smiled before closing her eyes.
Silence grew between us, but it wasn’t awkward.
The frown and worried lines on her face disappeared from when I arrived.
I just stared at her, the way her lashes fanned against her cheek.
The softness of her hair, the plump lips and mole just to right of her mouth.
I liked getting to study her without her knowledge.
“I can feel you staring at me, you know. Kinda creepy, old guy.”
“Jesus.” I barked out a laugh. “Glad to see you’re feeling better at least.”
“I am.” She pushed up and stared at me, her blue eyes assessing me. “I didn’t know how badly I needed this—a human connection. Thank you, Nate.”
“You’re welcome.” I squeezed her calf again before releasing her. “So what is your favorite flower?”
“Oh. Daisys. I know they are simple but they are just happy.” She lifted her right foot and twisted it to the side, showing me a tiny daisy on her ankle. It wasn’t the size of a penny but it was definitely a flower. “Wanna know something fun?”
“Yes,” I immediately replied. I wanted to know everything she’d tell me. Why? I didn’t wanna dive into those reasons.
“My dad and I had matching tattoos.” Her eyes glossed over but her smile remained.
“I went to college, but it was hard for me. I’m not good at math or group projects or studying and my dad made a bet with me that if I graduated, he’d do whatever I asked.
I said it off the cuff, but demanded we get matching tattoos then. He followed through.”
“Sounds like he loved you.”
“He did. He was the best dad … he never made me feel bad about the path I chose.” Cassidy ran a finger over the tattoo, her smile simple. “I know you didn’t ask, and you probably don’t care, but I’d never get back with Mathias.”
I held my breath. I wanted to argue with her that I sure as shit did care, but it wasn’t the place. She wasn’t really focused on me, but it was clear she wanted to get this out. “Yeah?” I encouraged, my voice rough.
“When we first started dating, my dad kept frowning and when I called him out for it, he tried to play it off. He was great like that, never wanting to upset me, but he finally told me a few weeks later. Mathias doesn’t look at you like you’re the sun, Cassie girl.
He told me to be careful with him. He was right. ”
I was so absolutely out of my element here, I was speechless.
I tried to find something reassuring or helpful, but before I had a full spiral, Cassidy leaned over and wrapped her small arms around me.
Her floral scent engulfed me, and I breathed in her delicious scent.
She hugged me tight, her face pressed against my chest and I held her.
“What is this for?” I rested my chin on top of her head, loving how she curved against my body.
I tightened my arms around her, breathing her in like I could memorize the way she fit against me. I knew I should pull back. I knew every second longer was a risk. But I didn’t want to let go.
“I feel like everyone always wants to give advice or speak from their experience or just try to minimize everything and you just listened. No one does that. That’s … that’s what I needed. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I murmured into her hair, voice rougher than I meant it to be.
She felt too good there. Too real.
“I’m okay now. Truly.” She broke our embrace and stared up at me, her blue eyes clear as the sky. She cupped my face with her small hand, her lips curving up as she stared at my mouth.
I forgot how to breath. Every cell in my body froze, waiting, needing her to kiss me despite all the reasons it was fucking stupid idea. I waited, my hands remaining politely on her back, as she slid off my lap without kissing me.
“I feel like I could sleep for a week.” She stood, rubbing her hands over her eyes. “I can’t have you get hurt sleeping on my couch, so please, go home. You need to rest.”
“Are you sure?”
I wanted her to ask me to stay so goddamn bad.
“I’m sure, O’Brien.” She gave me that sleepy smile, all genuine and grateful. She took my hand and squeezed it, a slight blush covering her neck. “I owe you one.”
“No, you don’t owe me a thing.” I stood, staring at our hands before I released her. “We’re in this together now. Call me if you need company, or want to talk, okay?”
“I think I might number 9.”
I dragged my feet to the door, my stomach twisting with regret because I didn’t want to leave her.
I wanted to hear more stories about her dad, her favorite things, more about how she hated Mathias and didn’t want him back.
But instead, I tapped the doorframe twice and walked out.
“Check in with me tomorrow, okay? Lock the door behind me. Sleep well.”
“There you go again, being bossy.” She smirked. “Maybe we were meant to meet each other. I hate why it happened but I have a feeling you were supposed to be in my life,” she said, softly.
I met her gaze and said with the most serious voice I had. “I think so too.”