Chapter 15 #2
She had spent most of Sunday trying to sift through her emotions to understand what had happened the night before.
But it was futile. Logic wasn’t at play and she normally tried to avoid it anyway, if she could.
What she did know was how hard she had had to fight herself not to kiss her.
She was used to sealing the deal with women and had never faltered, but faltering was all she seemed to do with Cassie.
It had taken all of her strength to resist those brown eyes searching her soul.
When Cassie had raised her hand and touched Drea’s cheek in a move so caring and yet sensual, Drea had nearly gritted her teeth trying to shut down all the emotions it stirred.
But this was one woman she couldn’t pursue.
She could never be the woman Cassie needed.
It wasn’t in her nature anymore. She wouldn’t allow it to be.
Plus, she wouldn’t jeopardize what Sam had built by pursuing something that was destined to fail.
She had no problem finding women to be with for a fun night.
So she didn’t need to look for one at work.
She pulled Byron’s business card out of her pocket and dialed the number.
After she arranged the details and got the address, she walked over to Cassie, who was engrossed in whatever she was typing.
“Hey.”
Cassie pulled her attention from the computer screen. “Hey. What’s up?”
She searched for an inflection in her tone or some clue in her eyes that something had transpired between them, but found only openness. “I just got off the phone with Byron.”
“Oh yeah?”
“He can meet with us on Thursday right after work if you’re free. His office is off of Canal Street.”
“That works for me. Thanks.” And with a smile she was back to typing away.
Drea walked to the break area and poured a fresh cup of coffee. She stared out at the river wondering what had changed in two days. And how was she the only one affected by the other night?
“Great to see you both again,” Byron said.
Cassie waited as he shook Drea’s hand, then her own.
He looked dapper in another three-piece suit, herringbone this time, and Cassie surmised that it was his characteristic look, not just wedding attire.
A scent of woodsy pine permeated the air, which she thought was a nice touch both as a cologne and as a nod to the season.
Byron ran his hand through his graying hair and gestured to a wall with large black-and-white photographs of the river hanging above a brown leather sofa. “This is where we’d like to put your painting.”
Drea nodded and seemed to be sizing up the space.
Cassie scanned the room, taking in the matching brown leather chairs, and felt as if she had stumbled into a Pottery Barn.
While it was inviting enough, the only nod to the city was the few pieces of artwork on the walls.
It struck her as odd for a business focused on the sights and experiences of the city.
They followed him to his office and she breathed a sigh of relief. Jazz Fest posters adorned the walls alongside crawfish knickknacks scattered on the bookcase and desk. Whatever the lobby lacked, at least the office filled the gap.
Byron chatted with Drea about the painting for the lobby, but when he brought up incorporating it into marketing pieces, she seemed less enthused.
He turned to Cassie. “You said y’all work at a marketing firm, right? What’s the name?”
“That’s correct. Crescent City Marketing,” Cassie said.
He glanced at the ceiling as if trying to place it in his mind. “That doesn’t ring a bell.”
“Samantha Parker founded the company earlier this year. She and I both worked for a number of years at McGrady Marketing.”
Recognition hit. “Ah, okay. Do you think your firm could take on this workload? We’d like to do a few print ad designs and we have a feature coming up in NOLA Magazine, but they’d need everything by mid-January, which I know is asking a lot.” He turned to Drea. “Of both of you.”
“Absolutely. It is a tight turnaround, but we can make it happen,” Cassie said, then turned to Drea. “How long would you need to get the artwork completed?”
“I can get it done in a week.”
Something seemed off to Cassie. Drea seemed subdued, but she wasn’t sure why. She had been fine when they arrived.
“Outstanding. Should we meet the same time next week to see it and discuss next steps?”
“Sounds great,” Cassie said. She and Drea stood and shook hands with Byron again.
“I can’t wait to see what you come up with, Drea,” Byron said.
“I hope it’s what you’re looking for,” Drea replied, but her tone didn’t match the smile on her face.
“I can assure you it will exceed your expectations,” Cassie said, trying not to let her concern for Drea’s behavior influence her own words.
Drea turned to her with a curious expression.
“Drea’s artistic style will turn some heads and add some lagniappe to your mission.
It will definitely stand out in the best way possible. ”
Byron nodded enthusiastically. “Lagniappe. I like it.”
Once outside, they walked along the sidewalk to Canal Street as the ding of the streetcar rang out.
Night had fallen while they’d been inside and Cassie tightened her scarf to buffer the cold.
As they turned the corner on Canal, Cassie paused at the sight before her.
The palm trees lining the streetcar tracks down the middle of the road were wrapped in white lights.
Each streetlamp had lights spiraling up its pole along with a wreath and bow at the top.
Garlands and bows even adorned the front of the red and green streetcars.
A large Christmas tree was all lit up on the balcony of one of the more upscale hotels lining the street.
Though Christmas had lost a lot of its appeal over the years, she still could be swept away by the lights, and for that she was grateful.
She became increasingly aware of eyes on her and turned to see Drea watching her with a smile. “This never gets old, ya know?” Cassie said.
Drea took it in for a moment, but it didn’t seem to please her in the same way. Something still seemed to be off.
“You okay?” Cassie asked, though she doubted Drea would tell her what was going on.
“Yeah.” Drea looked at her watch and Cassie prepared for her to call it a night. All week she had tried to put her feelings aside, but she missed the time they spent together outside of work. “You want to get something to eat?”
Surprised, but thrilled, Cassie didn’t hesitate. “Sure,” she said, trying not to sound too eager.
“Here you go,” the waiter said as he placed their orders on the table.
They’d chosen an upscale café along Canal Street, and Cassie had asked for a booth by the window so she could look at the holiday lights.
Drea watched people scurrying by, probably on their way home from work or to the store for holiday shopping.
She wanted to get in the holiday mood, but she was bothered by Cassie’s comments to Byron about her art.
They had chatted about the weather and the decorations while they waited for their food, but Drea couldn’t avoid the one question running through her mind any longer. “Why are you so supportive of my art?” she blurted.
Surprise flashed across Cassie’s face. Drea felt bad for being so blunt, but she had to know.
Cassie finished chewing her catfish. “Because you’re good and I don’t know why you’re not selling it all over the place.”
Drea thought of her first few years after art school, how hopeful she had been that she would hit it big and actually be able to support herself with her art. So foolish. “I tried. People didn’t take to it as much as you do.”
“Well, their loss. Some people have no taste.” Cassie grinned and sipped her iced tea.
“You laid it on pretty thick back there with Byron.” She needed to know why Cassie had championed her work so hard. She sipped her Malbec and watched Cassie’s face, waiting for a response.
A serious expression eclipsed Cassie’s playful tone, a sizzle of heat behind it. “I meant every word.”
The blind belief confused Drea. She knew she had skill as an artist, but she also knew that didn’t amount to much in a city full of artists.
She hadn’t experienced someone so daringly supportive before.
There was no hesitation. If she had heard Cassie’s words earlier, she would have believed the conviction in her voice and wondered how soon she could see this extraordinary artist’s work.
But knowing it was her Cassie spoke of, something didn’t compute.
“You’ve only seen one of my pieces. How could you be so sure of my abilities?” At Cassie’s raised brow, she amended, “As an artist.”
“I believe someone told me once that you were good with your hands.”
The line was so cheesy Drea couldn’t help but grin and roll her eyes. “I am known for that, you’re right. Not only for that, of course. I have skills with other features as well.”
“Interesting. Do you hold the brush in your mouth or something?”
“Something like that.”
“Good to know.” The reflection of holiday lights sparkled in Cassie’s eyes as she tried to hide a grin by taking another bite.
Drea had missed their banter. Though they had spent a lot of time together after work with all of the wedding preparations, an undercurrent of stress and exhaustion had limited the fun in their interactions.
Cassie seemed relaxed again and clearly a bit playful.
Drea’s thoughts leapt to the hand on her cheek, and she turned to the window before Cassie could see the shift in her expression.
“Also, not true,” Cassie said.
Drea knew her mind had wandered a little, but she had no idea what Cassie was referring to. “What?”