“Yeah, well, you can’t pick your family.” She chuckled.
“Well, you can’t tell you’re related. At least you have that going for you.” I laughed.
“What gives it away? The colour of my skin?” She laughed. “He is rather pale in comparison.” Her smile was picture perfect. Cassie had always been the beautiful girl in their group of friends. With her dark skin and green eyes, not to mention her chocolaty long locks, turned heads everywhere she went. I, on the other hand, couldn’t tan to save my life. My skin was fair, and I had a light dash of freckles across the bridge of my nose. My grey eyes were boring unless I dressed them up with make-up and, well—I did like my lips and my perfectly set teeth. My hair was a little longer than Cassie’s and more of a golden brown than a dark chocolate.
Cassie’s mother was born in South Africa, with strict parents and upbringing. Her family had moved to America when she was just a girl. When Mrs. Harper became a woman and had children, she, too, instilled these rules for her children.
“I prefer Calvin over Robert,” Cassie stated. “He’s a little less conservative.”
“Robert, I remember him. My dad used to golf with him, I think,” I recalled.
“Yeah, I’m surprised you never met Mason or Nick before now,” Cassie said.
“I honestly didn’t know that Mrs. Foster had any children. I don’t remember anyone ever talking about Mason or his brother,” I replied.
“Well, that is a long story. It was Robert Porter that she was married to, Nick’s father. Now it’s Calvin Foster, who is Mason’s father.” Cassie explained.
“Oh.” I still couldn’t place him. I guess everyone has a secret they don’t like to share.
“Mason has always been a troublemaker.” Cassie replied.
The valet returned with her car. “His brother, on the other hand, complete opposite.”
“Most siblings are different?” I said.
“Where do you want to eat?” She asked as we got in her car.
I was glad she changed the subject.
“Parkrose waterfront, the place I work at.” I shrugged.
“You got your old job back?”
“Well, I think my mom talked her into it.” I shrugged.
“Mrs. Peterson loves you. You are practically family to her.” Cassie smiled, and then started driving. I nodded. She was right, I guess.
Cassie pulled up to the restaurant and we got out. We were greeted by the host right away. She seated us by the front window.
“Your waitress is Cora, and she’ll be right with you,” the hostess said with a smile, handing us our menus before walking away.
“What’s the plan for the weekend?” I asked, reading over the menu. “You have me for the next four days because I don’t start work until Monday,” I said, looking over the top of the menu.
“Four days, huh? I’m sure there’s plenty of trouble we can get into by Monday.” She laughed. I nodded with a smile. Distraction was exactly what I needed right now.
“Sorry about earlier, by the way.” Cassie said, breaking the silence that fell upon us.
“Don’t apologize for him. I don’t hold you responsible for his actions,” I replied reaching across the table to touch her hand.
“I know. It just bothers me that he is that callous about everything.” She sighed.
“Well, we have no control of others’ actions,” I said, then put my menu down, ready to order. “Besides, it’s not the first time I have had to deal with a jerk similar to Mason.”
“I bet.” She smirked.
After breakfast we drove to the boutique where Cassie normally shopped for her gowns. The masquerade was the next dance for the elites, a charity event for the local children’s hospital. Every year at Halloween the Harper family organized and planned the charity ball. When I was a kid, my parents used to attend the masquerade. My family donated every year. I knew my mom wouldn’t attend the masquerade this year. Before moving to L.A., I had the opportunity of attending a few times.
“So any ideas on what you want to wear?” Cassie asked. “No.” I shrugged. It had been three years since I attended such an event. Matt and I had attended several black-tie events but nothing as extravagant as the Harpers’ masquerade ball.
“Well my family is wearing blue. Therefore, blue is out of the questions. How about red?” She spun around with a beautiful strapless floor-length satin dress. “Red is perfect for you.” Cassie grinned widely. The dress was incredibly gorgeous.
“Red . . . But then I’ll stand out,” I said.
“That’s the point.” Cassie chuckled. I screwed my lips and stared a little longer at the dress. The bustier top had a silver filigree embroidered design over a dark-red satin. The skirt billowed out slightly, a wave of ruffles pinned by a single white jewel buttoned to every layer.
“This is gorgeous, Cassie,” I gasped holding it in my hands, quickly peeking at the price tag. “It’s too much.” I handed it back.
“Shush up. If you want it, it’s yours.” She handed the dress to the saleswoman helping us. “We need some accessories to match,” she said. The saleswoman nodded and gestured for us to follow. Cassie picked out a pair of red-and-white jeweled dangle earrings, a short layered beaded necklace, black-and-red bangles and a wraparound beaded bracelet to match the necklace and a little black diamond-studded clutch purse.
“For the shoes and mask we’ll have to go to a different store.” Cassie placed everything on the counter.
“What about you?”
“Oh, I have had my dress for over a month.” She smirked.
I nudged her with my shoulder, smiling, feeling the sting on my cheeks. I hated feeling out of place in her world. It wasn’t as though my parents weren’t as rich as all of them. Our wealth arrived later in life. When I left for L.A., I didn’t want my parents to continue to support me. I wanted to prove that I was capable of doing it on my own. However, without Matt I probably would have moved home after six months of living on my own. My breath hitched in my chest. Just the thought of him brought tears to my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Cassie said as she turned and noticed my watery eyes.
“Nothing.” I smiled and wiped the tear that managed to escape.
“You sure? Shopping isn’t therapy for everyone.” She touched my arm affectionately. “However, drinking is.” She smirked.
“I’m fine.” I laughed.
The saleswoman eyed us.
“Good.” She hugged me then spun me around. “Now go try it on. It’s easier to pick out shoes and a mask when you have the dress with you.” I sucked in a deep breath, nodded and took the dress with me in the change room. “I just know you are going to look amazing.” When I came out, both the saleswoman and Cassie gasped. “Yes.” She nodded. “This is your dress.” The saleswoman nodded.
“Are you sure?” I scrunched my face.
“Absolutely.” Cassie grabbed the dress and handed it over to the saleswoman. “As always, you are the belle of the ball.” She hugged me excitedly. The saleswoman took the dress, slipping it into a thick plastic cover to protect it.
“I don’t recall ever being the belle of the ball,” I stated.
“That’s because you’re modest. You always had a dance partner. You always had a date. You never attended a party alone.”
“That doesn’t mean I was the belle of the ball, Cassie.” I sighed heavily.
“Do you have amnesia, girl? Because I remember it vividly like it was yesterday,” she said with a roll of her eyes. I scoffed and shrugged it off. I never thought of myself as someone beautiful. I was average, if that. Brown hair, long and curly; grey eyes— boring. And I was thin, and it didn’t matter what I ate—I never gained an ounce, and it showed. However, I was busty, and maybe that’s what the boys liked back then. I shook my head at the thought. The saleswoman handed me the bag of accessories after she filled it. Cassie carried the dress for me.
When we got back to her car, Cassie hung the dress in the back se
at. She suggested we go for coffee before shopping for the shoes and mask to go with my dress. We drove up the block to the nearest coffee shop.
“You want to talk about it?” she asked, taking a seat by a large window.
I scoffed, “I said I was fine.”
“No, you’re not. Stop lying to me,” Cassie replied. “I’m your best friend, remember? I know when your smiles are real.” She reached out to cup my hand.
“I just miss him, that’s all.” I sighed.
“I understand, but I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to be miserable all this time.” She sipped her coffee.
“He doesn’t.” I said. “He wants me to move on. I think the first step was moving back here.” I fiddled around with the paper cup in my hand, avoiding looking at her.
“Good because we are dancing with a ton of guys at the club tonight.” The grin on her face widened. “Well, you will.” Cassie winked.
It was after twelve by the time we finally stopped shopping. It took three shoe stores before we found the perfect set of black-and-red velvet skyscraper heels. Instantly, I fell in love with the shoes. Not too long after that came lunch, and this time we ate at the Harbour Front diner, well known for the best fish and chips in the state. Cassie was great at helping me escape my mind. She had always been there for me in the past. I just wish I had kept in touch more after I moved to L.A.
After lunch it was around three by the time we were back to shopping, to get a mask that suited my dress best. We pulled up in front of the town’s biggest party store. Cassie armed her car and turned to face me. “Even if we get a plain mask and just dazzle it up, that could also work,” she said smiling at me. I nodded and then we got out of the car. She was better at this than me.
As Cassie spoke to the guy at the front counter, I browsed through the aisles for something that caught my eye. Just as Cassie called out to me, I found the perfect Venetian mask. The silver mask cut out in a decorative pattern, encrusted with red sparkling gems as well as silver and red glitter dust and to top it off a brilliant silk red ribbon to fasten it.
“I found it.” I spun around holding it , grinning. Cassie nodded approvingly. Her smile made me smile even wider. She purchased the mask and we left the store.
“Thank you for all of this Cassie,” I said hugging her tight. “Don’t mention it. I miss these days.”
“I will pay you back.”
“Don’t insult me.” She said rolling her eyes. “This is my gift to
you, for all the birthdays we didn’t spend together.” I didn’t know what to say to that. She was a better friend than I had ever been to her. “Now we have at least eight hours to kill.” Cassie said as she got in the driver seat. “This was easier than I thought. Usually you are more stubborn.” She giggled as she turned to look at me.
“I’ m trying harder to be more pleasant to be around,” I joked. “We can just hang around for a bit or sleep.”
“Sleep? What are you? An old lady?” She playfully slapped my leg. “The fall colours are really starting to kick in. How about the Portland gardens?” she suggested.
“Photographing foliage . . . I’m in.” I gasped excitedly.
“I knew that would cheer you up.” She grinned.
“Is it possible to stop at my house for a minute?”
“Absolutely.” Cassie started the engine. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen your face light up like that.”
Bashfully I smiled. There had not been much to smile about. “I haven’t taken any photographs since Matt died.” I looked out the window as I finished that sentence.
“Then it’s time. To the garden we go.” She said, grabbing my hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. “Oh, how do you feel about lobster for dinner?”
“Sounds terrific,” I forced a smile. “You are going to fatten me up in no time.” I laughed.
“Impossible,” Cassie chuckled.
I was starting to feel better as time passed. I never realized how much I missed Cassie until today. Being home again wasn’t as bad as I thought.
As we stopped at a red light I said. “I really missed you, Cassie.” Then leaned over and hugged her.
“I missed you too. I’m glad to have you back.” She stretched her arm around me. “Oh, you get to meet Charlie tonight.”
“Who’s Charlie?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her. Cassie dated frequently, but she hadn’t mentioned anyone prior to now.
“He’s my boyfriend,” she said joyfully. “You are going to love him.”
“How long have you been dating him?” I asked. Cassie never dated anyone for more than two weeks. She smiled and glanced over at me.
“About a month,” she replied. “He is gorgeous, different from anyone else I have ever dated.”
“A month, huh?” She noticed my surprised expression.
“What? You think you’re the only girl to find true love?” she snapped.
“No, it’s just you always told me your motto was to never get attached. Heartbreak was too painful,” I quoted.
“Well—I still believe that. It’s just that Charlie”—she swooned—“no words describe how I feel about him. He is completely devoted to me, and I couldn’t imagine my life without him.” It was good to see Cassie happy, for however long it lasted. This was a better look for her. Not to say she was never happy. She was just known as the female philanderer. Not the best reputation to have in this town.
“I’m happy for you,” I replied.
CHAPTER THREE
Later, at the garden , my camera didn’t stop snapping pictures even as I carried on a conversation with Cassie. The bright reds and oranges were incredible against the deep-green foliage that was late in transforming. An hour was spent just walking through a trail in the forest, leading us to a botanical garden with a large pond and amazing sculptures made out of bushes. The sculpted scenes were inventive. It was as though it was a scene from Alice in Wonderland and at any moment the Mad Hatter would jump out—because with my luck that’s who would greet me. I had to chuckle at the thought.
As we walked farther, Cassie pointed out a giant mermaid sculpture in the middle of the pond. The flowers of fall bloomed in reds and oranges, framing her face. It was an incredible sight.
“They call it mosaiculture. It has spread all over the world. It’s quite remarkable,” Cassie pointed out.
“To say the least,” I said, in awe of the beauty that engulfed us.
“There is a really beautiful waterfall around here too. Unless it’s too cold with the mist in the air.” She said.
“Not at all,” I replied, gesturing for her to lead the way. “Speaking of waterfalls,” I began, following her over the bridge through thick green and red foliage, “do the Fosters really own the land where we used to picnic as kids?”
“Yes,” Cassie replied. “The park closed and everything was torn down after another drowning happened. The people who owned it were sued, and they couldn’t afford to keep the park anymore.”
“Again?” I gasped.
“Yeah after you nearly drowned—”
“My what?” I stopped short, grabbing her arm, unable to get over the fact that she said I had nearly drowned.
“Yeah, after you almost drowned, it seemed to happen a lot.”
“I drowned?” I scanned my brain for this event but came up blank.
“Yes. Don’t you remember?” Cassie asked, confused.
“No.” I trembled, slowly turning my head, and stared out at the water.
“It was horrific,” she replied. “That year I think the dam had been damaged, caused by the hard winter we got. The tide was a lot higher than normal, and when you went into the river, you slipped, went down the rapids into the big pond. You hit your head pretty bad.” Cassie’s head tilted slightly as she observed me.
I rubbed the scar on the side of my head. Flashes of that day came back to me. “A boy saved me.” I looked up at her, remembering.
“Yeah, I believe he was given a medal from the Ma
yor for his bravery.” She nodded. “I can’t remember his name, though.” She tapped her index finger against her lips. “I think it was—”
“Matthew,” I gasped, and then smiled.
Cassie’s head jerked in my direction.
Her mouth gaped. “No… you think it was the same Matt?”
“Only one way to find out.” I shrugged, puckering my lips.
“We’ll go there right after we are done here,” Cassie said.
The newspaper archives at the city hall library would give me the answers I needed. After I took a few more snapshots of the waterfall, we made our way back to Cassie’s car.
The librarian took us to the archive section of the library. Cassie started with the Tribune first, as I searched the Portland Star. She ended up finding it first.
“Here it is ,” she said, tapping me on the shoulder. I moved over to her table, leaning closer to the screen. The picture was in black and white, but those eyes were unmistakable.
“It’s him,” I gasped, covering my gaping mouth.
The picture also included his parents and the mayor. “I don’t believe it.” Tears filled my eyes. “I don’t know if this makes me feel better or worse.” I covered my face with my hands.
“Why does it make you feel worse? It was fate that brought you two together,” she said, taking me in her arms.
“Because it was my fault he died, Cassie.” I sobbed on her shoulder. Cassie rubbed her hand down the back of my head, comforting me.
“Don’t be silly, Lauren.”
“It was.” I sniffed back the tears and pulled back a little. “We were fighting the day of the accident. I had accused him of cheating on me and then showed up at his work unannounced.” I paused to wipe my nose. “I couldn’t have been more wrong. He was so furious with me that he didn’t notice the red light he drove through. That’s when a transport truck Tboned us.”
“I’m sorry, Lauren.” Her eyes widened, staring at me, speechless. “What made you think he was cheating?”
Hard To Love Page 3
