Chapter Eleven
CASEY
Casey stepped out into the cool, crisp fall morning, to-go cup in one hand and purse in the other, and paused when she noticed the green and blue pot full of brilliant orange, yellow, and red mums.
“These are beautiful.” She set her items down and picked up the flowers, turning them this way and that to admire the blooms before setting them on the little table beside the door. Casey plucked the card from its spot between the blossoms and saw her name. Inside, she read the invitation for coffee and treats at Sherry’s Bakery at 5:30 pm. When she realized it was Dylan asking, she felt her spirits lift and glanced toward his side of the townhouse. He was standing at his window with a smile and his palms up. Casey nodded and gave him a thumbs-up before retrieving her coffee and purse and getting into her car.
I never thought I’d give him a second chance after the way he broke it off. Yet, he’s been so sweet, bringing me my favorite treats and little surprises and even helping to unload groceries the other evening. Every time I see him, I feel the same excitement just like I used to. Jason is fantastic, but I don’t get those wonderful tingles. It’s more like he’s a good friend. But Dylan, even when he’s being an overprotective idiot, makes my heart happy.
Casey glanced at the rearview mirror and caught the spark in her eyes—there, because she’d meet with Dylan after work.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Casey smoothed her hair, freshened her soft pink lip gloss, exited her car, and entered the bakery. She immediately saw Dylan at what used to be their favorite spot. Am I crazy to do this again? Has he changed, or will this blow up in my face like last time? At least he looks as nervous as I feel. I don’t know why, but that helps.
Casey took a steadying breath and approached the table. Dylan stood and pulled out her chair.
“Thanks, Dylan,” she said as she sat. “And thanks for the mums. They are beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like them. I have your double hazelnut coffee, and I got the caramel chocolate brownies. If you want something else, I’ll be happy to get it.”
Casey sipped her hot drink, enjoying the creamy, nutty flavor, then bit into the chocolatey brownie goodness. “No. This is delicious.” She lifted one strawberry-blond brow and waited for Dylan to speak.
Dylan tapped his fingers on his mug, took a drink, and then tapped some more before gazing at Casey with a hopeful look.
Casey smiled and continued appreciating her coffee and brownie.
Dylan groaned. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
Casey grinned, “Nope. Not in the least.”
Dylan reached over to place his hand over hers, but Casey quickly tucked her hand in her lap.
“Case, we need to talk,” Dylan pleaded.
“I agree. Why don’t you start?” Casey reclined back and folded her arms. “If you remember, I told you we needed to talk at Rachel and Colin’s wedding reception. We both know how that turned out.”
Dylan rubbed the back of his neck and then nodded. “Okay. You’re right. I made a huge mistake that night. I never should’ve broken off our relationship. If it helps, I didn’t date anyone while I was in Ireland.”
“It doesn’t hurt. Go on.”
“Casey, it’s hard for me to discuss my feelings. I like facts. They’re logical.” Dylan groaned.
She frowned. “It’s also hard to have a real connection without discussing feelings. And I’ve got news for you: relationships are not built on logic.” Casey realized she was starting to clench her teeth and took a long, slow breath to relax. “So, spill.”
Dylan looked up at the ceiling and then back at her. “You’re right. I realize you’re right. I took it for granted that you understood how I felt and thought that was enough. But you kept pushing me to talk, and then Aunt Bebe pushed me to talk, and Rachel was doing the same, and it was too much. And then, when you didn’t believe me about Brittney, I overreacted. I’m truly sorry, Case.”
Casey searched his familiar green eyes and laid her hand over his. “I understand that. But how am I supposed to know how you felt if you don’t tell me?” she whispered.
The corner of Dylan’s mouth tipped up. “ESP?”
“Sorry, no such luck.” Casey offered a small smile. “Why is it so hard to talk to me?”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with you. It’s a guy thing, I think.” Dylan shrugged. “Even though I wasn’t brought up that way, it’s a lesson I learned quickly in school. You share your feelings, and they get used against you. Stack that on top of being the classic nerd, more into the history of architecture than sports, and it’s something you never forget. Facts are logical; they make sense. Two plus two always equals four. Emotions, not so much.” Dylan turned his hand over so that he gripped Casey’s. “I’m sorry, Case. I really am. Would you be willing to give us another try if I work on the discussing feelings part?”
Casey tightened her grasp on his hand and felt the sting of tears. “I would like that. I’ve missed you.”
Dylan’s shoulders relaxed, and he released a long breath. “I’ve missed you, too. How about we start with me taking you out for dinner on Saturday night?”
Casey beamed. “We’ve already started, but supper would be wonderful.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Casey slipped into her cobalt-blue V-neck dress and red heels and studied herself in the mirror.
Emily laid across Casey’s bed, commenting as Casey tried outfits on and ripped them off again.
Casey pulled the V-neck over her head. “Why doesn’t anything look good?”
“I told you you needed a new outfit for tonight, but you didn’t listen to me.” Emily lifted a shoulder as Casey disappeared into the back of her closet. “You’re trying too hard, Case. It’s a lot of pressure for a dress.”
Casey popped her head out from the side. “I’m getting a second chance with the love of my life. Of course, I’m trying hard.”
“Casey, listen to me. Dylan won’t care if your outfit is blue or green, long, or short. But he is going to care if you’re stressed out. Would you please come out of there?”
“Okay. Fine.” Casey huffed. “What do you think about this one?”
“I think that’s the one that makes you itch, and that’s why it was in the remote reaches of your closet. I thought you were going to throw it away.”
Casey eyed the maroon dress in her hand. “You’re right. I hate this dress.” Casey threw herself across the bed and buried her head in the comforter. “I swear I’m losing my mind, Em. I’m a nervous wreck. I don’t know what I’ll do if it doesn’t work with Dylan this time.”
“First, you need to calm the heck down. Don’t even think like that. You’re dooming everything before it even gets going. Take a breath and tell me what restaurant you’re going to.”
Casey rolled onto her back and took some slow, even breaths. “That does help. We’re going to the Mexican place where we always used to eat.”
“That’s great. You don’t even have to wear a dress. Why don’t you wear your favorite dress jeans, that new super soft cream-colored sweater, and your dark brown booties? Then you can take my tan suede jean jacket in case you get cold.”
Casey sat up. “You’re right. That’s perfect; it’s dressy yet comfortable and doesn’t scream desperation. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, get dressed, and fix your hair. You look like you’ve been wrestling in a closet.”
Casey looked in the mirror and tried to smooth her hair with her hands. “You’re not wrong.”
Casey heard the doorbell as she fastened her earrings. Knowing Emily would let Dylan in, she spritzed on a subtle scent and met him in the living room.
Dylan paused his chat with Emily when Casey appeared. “You look wonderful, Case.” He handed her a bouquet of sunflowers. “I couldn’t have that model guy be the only one to bring you flowers.”
“Thanks. They’re so pretty. I want to put them in water before we go.” Casey led the way to the kitchen, grabbed a vase from the cupboard, filled it, and added the flowers. “There, they look good on the table.”
“Are you ready?” Dylan asked.
“I am. I’m starving.”
Outside, Dylan opened the passenger door and, after she was seated, stooped down to kiss her cheek. “I’m so happy we’re doing this.”
“Me, too.” Casey watched him go around the car, admiring his broad shoulders in the lightweight gray sweater.
Casey gazed at the neighbor’s yards as they drove past. “I can’t believe it’s time to decorate for Halloween. There are already pumpkins on some of the porches.”
“Right. Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here.” Dylan shook his head.
“I haven’t seen your family in a while, other than Colin. How is everybody?” Casey asked.
“They’re all good. Well, except for Aunt Bebe; she’s been nuttier than normal.”
“Wow. For Aunt Bebe, that’s saying something.” Casey angled herself more toward Dylan. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure I should tell you. I don’t want you to hold her against me, especially since we’re just starting again.” Dylan frowned and glanced at her.
“I promise I won’t hold anything she’s doing against you. Girl Scouts honor.” Casey held up her right hand.
“I didn’t know you were a Girl Scout.”
“I wasn’t.” She grinned, “But tell me anyway.”
“Okay, but remember, you promised. She’s started taking self-defense classes, including Karate, Judo, and Kung Fu. She’s skipping around from one to the other and practicing at home a lot.”
“That seems like good exercise for her, increasing her strength and flexibility. That kind of thing. Plus, it’ll keep her busy and out of trouble.”
“If she were normal, I would agree with you. But this is Aunt Bebe we’re talking about. Guess how she’s practicing?”
“I don’t know, with someone from her class?”
“Nope. See, that would make too much sense.” Dylan parked the car and faced Casey. “She’s hiding around the house and then jumping out and attacking people.”
Casey snorted. “No way.”
“I swear,” Dylan said, holding up his right hand. “Yesterday, Mom got a call from the post office. It seems Aunt Bebe jumped out from behind the fence and almost karate-chopped the mail carrier, scaring him half to death. They’re threatening to stop delivery to the house unless we can promise she won’t do it again.”
Casey laughed so hard that tears sprung to her eyes.
“Sure, it’s funny until you’re the one getting attacked by a miniature white-haired ninja.”
Casey dabbed at her eyes, “I’m sorry. It’s just I can totally picture her doing that.”
Dylan smiled and then went around to open her door. “I’m glad you can see the humor in it. I have to be on high alert every time I go home.”
Casey patted his arm. “I have faith in you. You can handle it.”
Casey and Dylan stepped into the warmth and happy noises of the restaurant and waited to be seated.
“I love the scents of garlic and chili in here,” Casey said.
They followed the hostess to a booth, ordered two beers, and scanned the menus.
The server arrived, and Casey ordered a combination plate. “I can’t decide on just one thing. It all looks so good.”
“I’ll have the same,” Dylan said. “I can’t pick just one either.”
“I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed the atmosphere here. It always feels like a happy place.” Casey glanced around at the colorful walls and artwork.
“You haven’t been here lately?” Dylan tilted his head in question.
“Not since the last time we were here together.” She raised one shoulder. “This restaurant has a lot of good memories for me, and I just couldn’t.”
“I’m sorry, Case. I didn’t mean to screw it all up.” Dylan laid his hand on her arm and gently squeezed.
Casey gave him a small smile. “I’ve thought about what you said when we met for coffee. I know that was hard for you, and I appreciate you being honest with me.” Casey sighed, looked at her lap, and glanced up at him. “It wasn’t just you that night, Dylan. I could’ve talked to you before the wedding, but I didn’t because I was scared you didn’t want to continue ‘us’ while you were on this great adventure. Then it was down to the night before you were leaving, and everything just felt so intense, and you weren’t talking, and then there was Brittney.” Casey ground out the name. “But the bottom line was, I overreacted, too. I made some assumptions and jumped right to the wrong conclusions.”
Dylan leaned in, wiped the tear from the corner of her eye, and kissed her. “You’ve always been perfect for me, Case.”