Chapter Ten
Chris
“Hey, Cassie, it’s Chris. Give me a call back when you have a chance. I need your help with Emily. Nothing bad,” I said, hoping I didn’t freak her out. “I—anyway, call me. Thanks.”
Twenty minutes later, Cassie called back.
After reassuring her that Emily was fine, I dove in.
“Are you busy Friday night?”
“Yeah, got a super-hot date,” she said.
“Oh yeah? With who?”
“Pete.”
“Let me guess. His last name is Zah.” Emily and Cassie loved pizza—it was one of their weekly staple dinners before I came along.
“I didn’t know you knew him,” she said, barely able to contain her snort of laughter.
“Can you reschedule with Pete-Zah? I need you to take Emily out. She needs a night to unwind after . . . she’s been stressed. She needs you.”
“Is she really okay?” Cassie’s concern was palpable even over the phone.
“Yes, she’s fine. You know her. She’s been swamped with work. And me and Hudson. Then she got sick. She was a lifesaver when Hudson got sick. But then it was like she went into overdrive because of the holiday and dinner and?—”
“Making sure everything was perfect.”
I sighed. “Yeah. And I feel bad. I mean, it was the best Thanksgiving I’ve had in years. But she—I just don’t want her to wear herself out. And you know her.”
“She won’t take a night for herself because it’s selfish.”
“Exactly,” I said. “When I mentioned her needing a day to unwind without me and Hudson, she about bit my head off. Then she cried. I’m at a loss right now. You’re her best friend. I know I’m partly to blame for you two not hanging out as much lately. But she needs this.”
“I’m impressed,” Cassie said.
“Why?”
“Not many men would pick up on this. Nor would a lot of them go out of their way to make sure the friendship isn’t sacrificed over the relationship.”
“I knew when I met you that your bond was something I could never come between. I love every moment with Emily, so don’t get me wrong. I’m going to hate not being with her after work Friday night. But I know she needs this more than a night in with me and Hudson.”
“I have one request,” Cassie said.
“Name it.”
“No curfew.”
“Done.”
“And a slumber party,” she added.
“You said one request.”
“What can I say? I’m a greedy bitch.”
I barked a laugh. “Fine. But have her back by breakfast.”
“Deal.”
If I knew Cassie the way I thought I did, she was already planning their night out.
“So,” she said after a moment, “what are you and Hudson going to do while we’re out painting the town red?” Cassie teased.
“Duh,” I said. “Pizza and a Star Wars marathon.”
“You sure you’re not looking for a way to nerd out with Hudson for the night without feeling guilty?” she asked, snickering at herself.
That was what I loved about Cassie—talking to her reminded me of conversations with my sister. She and Savannah excelled in giving me shit.