by D. Kelly
After I park my car, I give my name to the guard at the door and he shows me to Ben’s location.
“Zack, how’s it going, man? Long time no see.” Ben reaches out and shakes my hand, leading me over to a drafting table he has set up.
“It has been a long time. Thanks for doing this for me.” There are photos of his work all across the back wall and Pete was right, he’s really talented. I’m happy with the work I have but if I get any more after this, I might be switching artists. He’s that good.
“So, Pete forwarded me your email and I’ve drawn up a few concepts. If you don’t like any of these, we can brainstorm and sketch something new out together. Callie and the kids spent the day at the beach and they’re wiped. She said they were renting a movie and eating ice cream sundaes in bed tonight, so I’ve got time for us to get this right.”
There are five drawings, and I look at them all carefully, but the instant I see the third drawing, I know it’s the one. Still, I take my time and look at them all a few more times to be sure.
“This one is the one. You’re really talented. I know I gave you a pretty detailed concept, but still, this is top notch.”
“Thanks. It’s nice to put my artistic skills to work doing something that is meaningful to people. Take off your shirt and let’s get started. Where exactly do you want it?”
I point to my right shoulder blade area and he nods.
“That’s a good spot. You’re going full color so it’s going to take a few hours. If you have to take a leak or anything, now would be a good time.”
“Nah, I’m good. Let’s get started.”
A couple of hours later, my new ink is finished and it looks badass. I hope Cassidy understands its significance.
“Would you like some coffee? Or maybe a beer?” We’ve just finished dinner and are going outside for some fresh air.
“Coffee would be great. One sugar, splash of cream.”
“Coming right up. I’ll meet you out there.” With a nod, he opens the doors and sits at the patio table. Dinner was nice and our conversation flowed easily. We mostly talked about his and Zack’s college days. I found out he knows Nick, as well, but doesn’t seem to care for him at all. It’s not what he said, it’s just how he said it. Nick always comes off as pompous unless you really have time to get to know him. It’s odd how hard he tries to keep people at bay; he’s got one of the most open and loving families I’ve ever met. So I can understand how Pete might have the wrong impression of him. We’ll just have to change that.
When the coffee is finished brewing, I make us both a cup and carry them outside. I’ve always been fortunate that coffee doesn’t keep me awake at night, and yet it still manages to wake me up in the morning. Zack says it’s all a state of mind. Whatever it is, I don’t question it.
“How long have you lived here?” I ask him once I’m settled into my chair. It’s gorgeous out and seems like all the stars are twinkling at us. There’s not a cloud in the sky.
“I moved here after graduation, so about five years now. I love it. Everything here is so much more relaxed and when you work a high pressure job and run a high stress company, that’s important.”
Hmm, I wonder if Zack feels that way. I hadn’t really considered why he wanted to move here other than him hoping it would keep me from having to deal with our families.
“Are you dating?” I ask not so subtly, but there’s no reason to beat around the bush. I want to know and he’s the most direct person I think I’ve ever met. Aside from Ry, that is.
With a cocked eyebrow, he looks me over. “You know, I thought he was kidding but we really are playing twenty questions, aren’t we?”
“Yup,” I reply happily.
“I might need more coffee for this,” he grumbles as he leans back in his chair. “No, I’m not dating but I’m sure I could if I wanted to. I’m busy with work so much of the time, it wouldn’t really be fair to drag anyone into that.”
“Well, at least your self-confidence is intact,” I reply dryly.
His immediate reaction is to flash me a panty-melting grin “Why not? I’m hot as fuck and have no shame in my game. I know I’m a good looking man, but I’m not looking to get laid all the time. If I were going to take the time to date, I’d need a girl just as confident as I am. I’m always on the go, and I’m not a cheater, but I’ve been called one many times because most of my work is confidential and my hours are all over the place.”
“Well, I can see how that could present a problem. Would you want to settle down? If you found the right girl, that is?” I’m trying to keep my expression neutral, but he knows I’m up to something.
“Girl, no, woman, maybe…” Why do guys always smirk when they’re being sarcastic?
“Haha, you know what I meant.”
“Why all the questions, Cassidy? Does this have anything to do with dinner on Saturday?” His eyes meet mine and hold them until I answer him.
“Look, Zack’s sister is coming to dinner, as well…”
“Oh, no, I don’t…”
“You don’t have to marry her or even date her. It’s just dinner with friends. She just needs to be reminded there are other men out there and it’s okay to let go of something that isn’t working.”
His eyes narrow in concern. “Is someone hurting her?”
“Do you think Zack would let someone physically hurt his sister? No, but emotionally, she’s hurting herself. There’s a guy she’s never actually dated but they’ve been friends forever. They’re hook up occasionally, but it’s been years and it’s never gone anywhere.”
“Let me guess, it’s Nick? Am I right?” He’s irritated. He really doesn’t like Nick. I wonder why.
“Yes, it is. Nick’s not a bad guy, Pete. He’s just not ready to commit.” He rolls his eyes at me! That’s hilarious but I hold back my laughter because I’m sure he wouldn’t appreciate me pointing it out to him.
“Guys like Nick are all the same, you can spot them a mile away. They’re great in the moment, good looking, good in the sack, know how to say all the right things. But that’s the problem in a nutshell. They know how to say all the right things to more than one woman.”
Yeah, that’s Nick in a nutshell, but Pete’s assumptions sound personal.
“Does that work both ways? Are there women like that, too?”
“There are some,” he sighs, “but there are more women who fall for men like that than you’d think. Especially when they’re feeling alone and lonely. Men like Nick prey on vulnerable women.”
He’s been hurt, pretty badly judging by the look on his face and from the way his body just stiffened.
“I’m sorry.” I truly am. Pete’s a good guy, I can tell, and I think he’s much better suited for Rylee than Nick.
“Don’t be. I’m better off and it was a long time ago. I’ll come to dinner and I’ll be pleasant but let me judge if I think she’d be the kind of woman I’d consider dating, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Does Zack know what you’re doing? That’s a whole other issue. She’s his sister and you don’t ever move in on your friend’s mamas, sisters, girlfriends, or exes without permission.”
“See, Cassidy,” Zack’s voice comes from behind me and I hear the door shut. He places a kiss on the top of my head and sits down. “Pete knows the guy rules and Nick should have heeded them, too.”
Pete nods at Zack. “Everything go okay?”
“Couldn’t be better. Thanks again for setting it all up.” Zack seems happy, really happy. Now I’m extremely curious where he was tonight. I’m sure he’ll tell me when he’s ready.
“Any time. So, you knew she was going to try and set me up with your sister and you’re okay with that?”
“Okay seems to be relative today. I’ve been told my sister is an adult and I don’t get a say in what or who makes her happy. It might have been pointed out a time or two that I didn’t have her permission to have sex with her best friend.”
Pete’
s shaking his head at Zack and laughing. “Sounds like these women are ganging up on you and winning.”
“They gang up on me all the time and they’re too beautiful and too smart to argue with for long. It’s cool, man. Have dinner with us and see what happens. You can’t help who you love.” Pete glares at Zack and Zack throws his hands up in mock surrender.
“Okay, you can’t help who you like or don’t like, either. Damn. Point is, if you feel something and want to ask her out, cool. If not, that’s cool, too. Just don’t hurt her and we’ll be fine.”
Pete stands and stretches, his shirt lifting as he does. Good Lord, every ab, muscle, and sinew is visible. It’s almost enough to give me a hot flash. Zack catches me looking and chuckles. He knows I only have eyes for him but I can’t help noticing what’s right in front of my face. Rylee would be crazy not to fall for him; he’s the whole package.
“Cassidy, thank you for dinner and for the conversation, it was very nice. I’m going to leave so you two can still enjoy the rest of your night.”
“You just want to bail before she can finish asking her twenty questions.” Zack jokes with him.
“Yes, that, too. Your wife has some powerful ways about her but I’ll see you both Saturday night, if not before.” Zack’s smiling as Pete makes his exit. Actually, grinning ear to ear is more like it.
“You didn’t correct him.”
“No need to, you’ll be my wife soon enough. Besides, I like the way it sounds.” His tone is soft and it reminds me of all the years he’s given me endless love and devotion. And I almost threw it all away.
“I do, too, Zack.” Standing, he reaches for my hand and after locking up, he leads me up to our room.
“I have something I need to show you,” he says as he pulls me into the bathroom and turns on all the lights.
Releasing my hand, his hands grasp the bottom of his shirt and he removes it somewhat slowly. My eyes travel up from his abdomen, taking in his beautiful body, and stop when my gaze locks on his.
“As much as I love it when you ogle me, I have something I want you to see.”
“I’m not ogling. I’m just appreciating what’s mine.” His chest rises and falls faster with my words, the love in his gaze intensifying.
“Take the bandage off my back,” he commands and turns around. My heart pumps faster.
He got new ink.
It’s a big bandage. No wonder he was gone so long. My fingers are trembling and for some reason I’m terrified to look under the bandage. He reaches over his shoulder and pats my hand.
“Breathe, Cassidy. It’s nothing to fear.”
Carefully, I pull the edge of the bandage, peeling the tape slowly as to not cause him any discomfort. He always says they don’t hurt but with as red and puffy it is for the first day, I don’t see how it couldn’t.
When the bandage is off and I see what he did, my tears are immediate. Inhaling deeply, I marvel at the incredible image now permanently etched into his skin. The walls around my heart are crashing down, and I feel faint. My feet are moving backward without my permission until I’m leaning up against the shower door for support. I’m overwhelmed, awestruck, and so deeply in love with this man that I can hardly breathe.
Before I know it, he’s in front of me, cupping my face in his hands and calling to me. The concern on his face is evident but I can’t speak, I can’t move. Why would this suddenly open the floodgates to my heart? Why now? All the years of the love and devotion he’s given to me, proven to me time and time again, and yet the ink on his skin is what resonates with me. His words flood back to me over and over.
Your dad was so big and scary back then, I thought he might have been a real life ogre.
“Cassidy,” he calls again, more insistent this time and I snap out of it, slowly raising my eyes to his.
“I’m sorry, Cassidy. Shit, I’m so sorry, I thought you’d like it.” His eyes are filled with tears; I scared him.
Pulling his head against mine, I whisper, “I love it, Zack, so much. And it’s hard to explain right now, but it makes me feel… it makes me feel so very loved.” My eyes close in shame as he sucks in a sharp breath. When his lips crash against mine, I’m shocked. Those tingles I love so much are intensified in a way I’ve never felt before. As our lips part, I cry out softly, “God, Zack, I love you. I love you so much and I’m so sorry.” My tears are falling relentlessly as this new emotion washes over and through me.
“I love you, too, Cassidy. So fucking much.”
“Turn around. I’d like to see it again.” Releasing me, he slowly turns around and the new tattoo is staring me right in the face. It’s an intricate drawing, like what you’d see in a fairy tale. It’s a forest with a tiny dark house in the background. There’s a big, ugly, scary ogre looming over a knight in shining armor. Your first instinct would be to be afraid for the knight, but as your eyes adjust to the picture, you can see his sword is lodged into the ogre’s chest and his scary look could perhaps be one of pain. There are three drops of blood dripping from the wound, but the bottom one is shaped into a small heart. Unless you were looking directly at it, you’d never notice it. Immediately, I know why there are only three drops.
I
Love
You
This is his way of showing me he’ll always be the one to slay my demons. I place a feather light kiss against his skin and he takes my hand, leading me to the bed. Zack climbs in after me and spoons me from behind. He kisses the top of my head and whispers, “I love you, Cassidy Pope, for now and for always.”
I fell asleep in Zack’s arms and had the most peaceful sleep I can ever remember. Zack made love to me as the sun came up and then once again in the shower. I’m blissfully happy, my life is falling into place, and everything I’ve ever questioned is no longer frightening.
Over my morning coffee, my excitement begins to build. Rylee should be here in just a few minutes. As much as I’ve enjoyed this time with Zack, it will be really nice to see my other best friend. I’m curious to see how Ry and Pete will hit it off and how Nick will act when he gets here. Even more so, I’m dying to know how Nick and Ry will react to each other now that Zack has given them his blessing, if they choose to take that route.
“Here you are, beautiful. I was wondering where you wandered off to.” Zack was on the phone with Nick, confirming flight information, when I came outside to enjoy the view.
“I think this might be my favorite spot in the entire house.”
“Have you thought anymore about living here permanently?” There’s a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. I can see how badly he wants this for us. I want it, too, and he’s given me so much—the least I can do is agree to move and make him happy.
“I have and I think I’d like to do it. I want this to be our home, Zack, where we can grow old together and make beautiful memories.”
“And babies, Cassidy, lots and lots of babies. I want a family with you. Can we agree on that?”
Babies.
“Hello! Anyone home?!” Thank God, saved by Rylee. Zack’s frustration is obvious but he won’t get into this in front of Ry.
“This discussion isn’t over, Cassidy. We still need to talk about this,” he says, standing and offering me his hand.
Rylee is in the living room looking out the window when we walk in. “Isn’t it gorgeous here, Cassidy? Aren’t you just absolutely in love with it?” she squeals as she wraps me into a big hug.
“Don’t you ever disappear on me like that again. On anyone, for that matter. We were worried sick about you, and before you bitch that we’re past this already, I know we are. But it’s the first time I’ve actually seen you to scold you. Sisters don’t do that to each other and I don’t expect there to be a next time but if there is, you better come talk to me first.”
“Jesus, Ry, want to take a breath anytime soon? Leave her alone, she’s fine,” Zack replies dryly, defending my honor.
“Whatever, big brother, you’ve got bigger problems, anyway. I
bumped into momzilla when I was checking in at the hotel.”
“Great. What did she have to say?” he mutters and heads to the bar, grabbing the scotch. He must still be really upset if he’s going to drink now—it’s not even noon. Rylee gives him an appraising look as he takes a sip but he only glares back at her as if daring her to say something.
This is more than just Priscilla; he’s mad about the baby discussion.
“She said she was coming here with Dad today and he would be calling you. She seemed... subdued? I don’t know what it is exactly, but there’s definitely something different about her.”
“Well, I would assume when your husband of thirty years leaves you because you’re a lying bitch, it would affect you somehow.”
“Zack,” I scold him gently, “you need to hear her out. Sometimes things really aren’t what they seem.”
Both he and Ry are looking at me like I’ve sprouted two heads, but I just don’t have it in me to hate anyone or hold on to anger. I haven’t found it helpful over the years so I’ve learned to let it go. The residual effect of anger is pain and I’ve got enough of that for multiple lifetimes.
It’s only now that I notice Pete standing quietly in the kitchen, sipping on his coffee. He picked up Ry from the airport, took her to the hotel, and then brought her here. I love how observant he is and from the look on his face, he agrees with what I’ve just said.
“Cassidy,” Ry chastises while throwing her hands up in the air, “you are too forgiving! She’s walked all over you for years and… Ugh!”
“Ry’s right, babe,” Zack chimes in, siding with Rylee. “My mother needs to learn a lesson about common decency. What she did to you didn’t just affect you, it affected us all. We’re here because of her.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Now they’re exchanging concerned glances. They are both too stubborn for their own good. Pete leans against the counter, getting comfortable, as if he’s waiting for me to put them in their place. Score one for Pete; he knows who’s going to win this one.
“Look, what Priscilla did to me sucked. There’s no way to sugarcoat that, so I won’t even try. But, while I regret how you felt when I ran out of the wedding, I don’t exactly regret doing it. This week has been eye opening in so many ways, and I’ve discovered so much about myself I thought I never would.”
