Chapter Nine
CASEY
“Thank goodness you’re home,” Casey said as she paced in the kitchen while Emily put salad mix and baby carrots in the fridge.
“You knew I was doing some shopping after work today. Why the dramatics?” Emily shut the refrigerator door and folded the reusable bag.
Casey stopped pacing to stare out the window. At just the right angle, she could see Dylan’s jeans-clad legs stretched out on his deck. “Dylan was here.”
“I realize that. He said hi when he almost hit me, running out of the house.”
Casey turned to watch her sister. “He kissed me.”
“What? Way to burying the headline,” Emily said, her emerald eyes wide.
Casey was relieved that Emily was as surprised as she had been. “I wasn’t expecting it. It just started to happen, and you came home. Saved by my sister. Thank you.”
Emily shook her head and made imaginary erasing motions with her hands. “Start at the beginning and tell me precisely what happened. Like, why was he even in the house to begin with?”
“Well, you remember how Dylan swears some nefarious characters are stalking me in a black SUV, but we’ve never seen them?”
Emily nodded, poured herself a cold mint iced tea, and topped off Casey’s.
“Today, when I got here, a black SUV was sitting across the street from the house. So, I did what any normal person would do and went over and talked to them.”
Emily held up her right hand. “For the record, I’d like to state that it is also what the soon-to-be murdered person does in the movies.”
Casey glared at her twin as she continued, “I found out they were two regular guys waiting for their realtor. They flip houses for a living. See? Perfectly ordinary.”
“So, because you proved Dylan was wrong, you invited him over to kiss him?” Emily grinned.
Casey stalked out of the kitchen to the living room.
Emily trailed after her. “Yeesh. Where’s your sense of humor? Please continue, dear sister of mine,” Emily pleaded, holding her tea glass to her heart.
Casey scowled at her but continued after Emily mimed locking her lips and throwing away the key. “Dylan saw me at the driver’s window and came running out of his house, yelling like a crazy person. He didn’t even have shoes on.”
Casey nodded at Emily’s huge eyes. “Exactly. So, I went toward him, and we met in the middle of the street. He grabbed me and stuffed me behind him, and he was going to face off with the real estate guys, but they left before he could.”
“Wow. I’d say Dylan just qualified as the hot, protective, wanna-be boyfriend.” Emily wiggled her brows.
“I’d like to argue with you, but I can’t.” Casey sighed and fell back onto the couch. “Totally hot.” She fanned her face and then sat up straight. “But only after I recovered from the crazy scene and made sure he wasn’t hallucinating or something.”
“So, you kissed him to ensure he wasn’t running a fever.” Emily snickered and managed to duck Casey’s hand when she tried to smack her arm.
“Will you stop? I did not kiss him. I asked him to explain what in the world he was doing, and he said he was defending me, and he liked taking care of me. Then he leaned in and barely started to kiss me when you came home, and I freaked. He tried to grab my hand, but I told him no and ran out of the room.” Casey shrugged. “Now, what do I do?”
“Now, we call Maribeth and Rachel to see if they can come over for dinner and some strategizing.”
Casey took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I knew I could count on you.”
“But Casey, only you know how you truly feel about him and if you want to give this a shot.”
“I know you’re right. I’ve been trying to be strong, Em. But I miss him and what we had. Or at least, what I thought we had.” Casey closed her eyes and relaxed into her twin’s hug.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The next morning, Casey squeezed her eyes closed, burrowed into the soft flannel sheets, and smacked the snooze again. I can do this. I need lots of coffee, just an extra five or six cups, then I’ll be fine. She opened one eye and looked at the clock. I can’t stall anymore unless I want to go to the office with a bedhead.
Casey shoved the warm covers off and shut off her alarm. Then she shuffled to the shower and blasted the hot water. Why is Emily singing? It’s not fair. She was up as late as I was. But she probably didn’t spend the rest of the night flopping around her bed like a beached fish, trying to decide what to do about Dylan.
Finally, cleaned and ready for work, Casey went in search of coffee. In the kitchen, Emily handed her a hot cup of bliss. Casey carried it with her when someone knocked at the door.
“Good morning, gorgeous.” Dylan held a bakery bag out to her. “It’s your favorite fall donut, apple cinnamon. I didn’t bring coffee because I figured you were already taking it intravenously.”
Casey peered at him as he smiled at her. He was dressed in his preferred outfit of cowboy boots, jeans, and long-sleeved henley, with her best-loved fall treats in his hand, and her heart melted a few more degrees. “How did you know I needed this today?”
“I saw the evidence of a girls’ night yesterday evening.”
“What evidence?”
“Maribeth’s and Rachel’s cars, plus pizza delivery. I knew you’d be tired this morning and thought the donuts might help get you started.” Dylan gazed at her. “I got enough for Emily, too. And before you ask, I wasn’t watching your house. I ordered pizza, and the guy went from my front door to yours.”
Casey took the bag but couldn’t think of a witty response for the life of her. The caffeine hadn’t hit yet. She looked up at him. “Thank you, Dylan. This really helps.” Then, before her brain engaged and stopped her, she followed her heart, went up on her tiptoes, and brushed a soft kiss on his cheek.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Casey arrived at Sherry’s Bakery early to get one of the red and chrome tables by the back window while she waited for Jason. Knowing this would be an awkward discussion, she wanted a bit of privacy. Casey enjoyed the 1950 vibe that Sherry had kept when she’d purchased the diner, including the working jukebox, whose newest music was The Beatles and Elvis.
Casey stood in line to place her order. With Dylan on her mind, she bought six of his favorite double caramel brownies to go with her two coffees and returned to the table to wait for Jason. When he came in, he searched for her, and she waved him over.
“Hi, Casey.” Jason moved in to kiss her, and she turned her head so that his lips grazed her cheek. “I recognize that maneuver.” Jason looked at her and grimaced.
“Hi. I already got you a coffee, and these caramel brownies are the best.” Casey rushed out, ignoring his statement. “You’ve always been so nice and are always bringing me flowers. I thought I could at least treat you today,” Casey said.
“This impromptu coffee is so we can have ‘ The Talk ,’ isn’t it?” Jason asked, using air quotes.
Casey gazed at the table and nodded. “I’m sorry, Jason. You are a wonderful guy. Any woman would be happy to be with you.”
Jason looked down at the table. “But not you, huh?”
Casey shook her head. “I just realized I still care about my ex-boyfriend and want to give it a chance. I wanted to let you know because you’ve always been honest with me.” Casey cocked her head and smiled. “Well, mostly.”
Jason laughed ruefully. “I guess Bebe’s scheme worked then.”
“I guess it did, which means she’ll be even harder to deal with.” Casey widened her eyes and shuddered.
Jason reached out a hand. “Friends?”
“Absolutely. And I have someone in mind who would be your ideal match.”
“Don’t even think about it. I’m done with relationships that begin with some strange setup.”
Casey studied him. “We’ll just have to wait and see about that, won’t we?”