Chapter 1
Kassie
“I can't believe he's making me do this, Leesa!”
“No one is making you do anything, Kass, and you know it!” My best friend laughs as she helps me close up the duffle bag. The second of two large duffle bags I'm taking with me for two weeks away to my family cabin.
“He knew I'd hate it.” I grumble.
“I don’t think he knew you'd hate the idea, Kass.” She says, trying to make me feel better.
“Ohhh he knew! He knows how I feel about the guy.”
“I think the lady doth protest too much.” She laughs again.
“That’s what Max said, and he's as wrong as you are!” I ground out. “You know me better than that, Lee. I've told you so many times over the years how much I hate him!”
“And I keep telling you, there’s a fine line between love and hate, baby!” I toss a cushion at her, and hit her square in the face, causing her to crumple onto the couch in a fit of laughter.
“I’m still annoyed that you can't come with me instead of him,” I grumble, adding, “He's an arrogant, selfish, too good looking for his own good, Mr know-it-all, piece of work. You’ve known him almost as long as I have, Leesa.”
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel, Kass?”
I close my eyes, and take a deep, steadying breath, before turning to face the man of the hour with a weak smile on my face.
“Bennett! You're early!” I say, glancing back at my best friend and mouthing, ‘you didn't lock the door?’ Causing her to snort laugh again, and bury her face back into the cushion.
“Hey, Leesa, good to see you again.” Bennett McGuire’s deep voice rumbles out.
“You too, Bennett.” Her muffled voice says.
“You know, you really shouldn’t leave the door unlocked, Kass, anyone could walk into your apartment,” he says while walking into my apartment like he does it every day, and grabbing my bags.
“Lesson learned,” I say, giving him a dirty look that he doesn’t notice.
“Good.” He lifts both bags in one hand, and turns to face me again, just as Leesa comes up for air. “Is this all you have for the two weeks?”
“All?” I ask.
“Well, I was expecting a suitcase, or two, as well as duffle bags.”
“We’re going away for two weeks, Bennett. If there’s something else I need I can go into town to get it.”
He nods, and heads to the door, managing to open it while carrying both bags. On anyone else that would be hot, but this is Bennett McGuire.
My brother’s best friend. My younger brother’s best friend. The guy who annoyed me all through my teenage years, and even into early adulthood.
“I'd like to get going as soon as we can, if that’s OK with you, Kass? I want to get up there when it’s still daylight.”
“It’s only a two hour drive, and it’s not even midday yet.”
“Both of those things are true, and yet, I would still like to get going sooner, rather than later. That was my plan, anyway.” He looks back at me through the open door.
Behind me, I hear Leesa snicker again.
“I wouldn’t want to ruin your plans, Bennett, so let’s get moving.” I give him a smile that I know doesn’t portray any happiness, then I turn back to my best friend. “Want to walk out with us?”
“Not really,” she mutters, but comes around the couch to take my hand in hers. “I'd be delighted.”
Silently, the three of us walk out to his car. When we reach it, Bennett manages to unlock it, open the back, and deposit my bags in there with ease.
I wish it wasn't impressive.
In order to not concentrate on Bennett, I pull Leesa into a tight hug.
“I'm going to miss you.”
“If you squeeze me much tighter, you’ll be able to take me in a body bag!”
“Aren't you coming to the cabin, Leesa?” Bennett asks, his voice startling me, because he’s now standing beside me.
“Not this week, no. Otherwise I would have been able to drive this treasure myself.” This time, Leesa drags me into a tight hug.
“Take care of our girl, Bennett. She can be a bit of a handful, but if you keep her fed, hydrated, and provide at least a bathroom stop, you should survive with your sanity intact.”
“Hey!” I try to protest, but he speaks before I can say anything else.
“Thanks for the tips, I’ll take them on board.” He winks at her, and opens the passenger door for me.
“I can do that myself you know,” I argue, even as settle myself into the seat.
“I am aware that you're more than capable of taking care of yourself, Kassie,” he says. “Everything except for your car apparently.” He mutters as he closes the door.
Leesa’s laughing as they speak to each other again, before he makes his way around the front of the car, and slides into the driver’s seat.
The car roars to life, and my window rolls down without me doing it. I hadn’t even looked to see how I would open it to be honest.
“See you later, gorgeous. You too, Kass.” Leesa waves, and I flip her the bird which cracks her up.
“Bye, Leesa.” Bennett echoes, a chuckle in his voice.
“Drive safely, and let me know when you get there!”
“Yes mum.” I promise. “Love you.”
“Love you too, snookums.”
“Are you ready to get this road trip moving?” Bennett asks, and I turn to face him.
“Let’s hit the road.”
As he pulls out of our driveway, I wave at Leesa until I can no longer see her.
When I pull my arm inside the car, I rest my head back on the seat, and close my eyes.
Grateful that the sun is shining, and I can wear my sunglasses.
He won't know if I've fallen asleep, or I'm just staring out of the window.