Cassidy Lane

by Murnane, Maria

  “What about you? What do you do?” Cassidy asked.

  “I’m in my first year of business school at Columbia.”

  “One of my good friends is applying there. How do you like it?”

  “It’s kind of a grind, but it’s also fun being back in school. Sort of a trade-off, I guess.”

  “What were you doing before?”

  “I worked at an advertising agency. Sounds glamorous, but I hated it.”

  Cassidy gave her a knowing smile. “I used to work in advertising. I hated it too.”

  Molly leaned toward her and lowered her voice. “I think everyone who works in advertising hates it, at least secretly. That’s just my opinion, of course, but I’m pretty sure I’m right.”

  Cassidy laughed and reached for her own purse. “Do you mind if I write that down? My new book is about a woman who works in advertising, so I may have to use that line.”

  Molly put a hand on her heart. “You’d quote me in a book? What an honor.”

  Cassidy scribbled on her pad of sticky notes, then tossed it into her purse. “Sure. I have to get my material from somewhere, right?”

  Molly rubbed her hands together. “This is so cool. Now I’m even more excited to read your books. I love a good romance, and God knows I could use some in my own life.”

  I could too, Cassidy thought.

  After they’d chatted for a bit longer, Molly drifted off to sleep. Cassidy felt a pang of envy as she watched her lean against the window, her breathing even. Despite Cassidy’s normal aptitude for napping, she knew there was no way she’d be able to get any shut-eye right now. She’d barely been able to fall asleep last night and had awoken bright and early this morning, so giddy with anticipation she almost felt as though she’d had a couple of drinks.

  She booted up her laptop and set it on the tray in front of her, planning to work on her book as a way to pass the time. But her brain had other ideas, and she ended up staring at the same sentence over and over, not registering or writing a word. No matter how hard she tried to focus, her mind remained fixated on a text Brandon had sent her shortly before she’d gone to bed:

  Soon I’ll be able to kiss you good night for real.

  She smiled at the thought of what the message meant, feeling a bit silly but unable to stop herself. She’d read the text over and over in the cab on the way to the airport, and now it was burned into her memory.

  Maybe it really is my turn.

  She silently willed the pilot to fly faster.

  Eventually she gave up hope of getting any real writing done and shut down her laptop. She decided to watch a movie, hoping that might keep her distracted—as well as help the flight go by more quickly. They were due to land at three thirty, and Brandon was picking her up from her parents’ house at seven. She planned to go for a run in between, knowing from years of experience that exercise would help calm her nerves. She doubted it would clear her head, however. Her every thought was permeated with visions of their first kiss.

  He’s really going to kiss me!

  As she navigated the buttons on the video screen mounted on the seat in front of her, she replayed what she could remember of last night’s conversation with Brandon before he’d sent her that playful text message. He’d called to get her parents’ address, and they’d ended up talking for an hour. The details were fuzzy now, but one thing he’d said as they were getting ready to hang up burned brightly in her memory: I can’t wait to see you.

  It was such an earnest comment that it made her cover her mouth with her hand, even though she hadn’t said a word. She’d never dated a man who was as unguarded as Brandon was being with her. He always told her what he was thinking, and how he was feeling, straight up, with no pretense whatsoever. With other men she always had the feeling they were putting their best foot forward, that they were playing it cool, that she’d never really know what was going on inside their heads unless the relationship became serious, which it never did. But from day one it had been different with Brandon. He made her feel special, included, interesting, important. Maybe he was like that with everyone in his life, which only made her admire that quality in him more. He was open, and sincere, and real, and she wanted to pinch herself when she realized that in a few hours he’d be standing right in front of her.

  As she scrolled through the video options, several of which were romances, she couldn’t help but smile. She felt like she was starring in one of her own, and she couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

  It wasn’t until after she’d landed in San Francisco and said good-bye to Molly that Cassidy realized she hadn’t mentioned anything about her date with Brandon to her parents.

  “Can we take you out to dinner tonight?” her mother asked as her dad unloaded her suitcase from the back of his SUV. Her dad always insisted on carrying her suitcase for her, just as he always insisted on parking the car and meeting her outside security instead of just picking her up at the curb. “Your father and I were thinking we could go to Sundance. We know how much you love the salmon there.”

  Cassidy shut the back door. “Actually, I sort of have plans. Is Tyler here?” She pointed to a silver Lexus sedan parked across the street.

  Her dad nodded. “He mentioned he might stop by to borrow a power drill. Jessica’s got him building her another closet.”

  “Another one? Doesn’t she have enough clothes?” Cassidy headed toward the front steps of the two-story brick house. The white trim looked recently painted, and a bed of yellow and white chrysanthemums lined the walkway.

  “I don’t ask questions like that,” her dad said with a chuckle.

  “Do you have plans with Patti tonight?” her mom asked as she unlocked the door, the disappointment of not being able to spend the evening with her daughter written all over her face. Cassidy realized how similar she was to her mom in that regard. The Lane women would make terrible poker players.

  Cassidy hesitated, suddenly feeling sixteen years old again. She stepped into the foyer and glanced around for her brother, hoping for a temporary reprieve before having to explain the Brandon situation. “Tyler? Are you here?”

  “It depends who’s asking,” called a deep voice from the kitchen.

  “It’s your favorite sister,” Cassidy called back.

  Tyler appeared, a toolbox in one hand. “You’re my only sister.”

  Cassidy put her hands on her hips and frowned. “Mean brother. Mean, mean brother.”

  He set down the toolbox and embraced her in a bear hug that lifted her off the ground. “Welcome home, little sis. The girls can’t stop talking about going trick-or-treating with Auntie Cassie tomorrow. I hope you’re ready for them.”

  “I’m excited too, even have my costume all ready. Are you dressing up?”

  He patted his expensive tie. “Of course. I’m going as a businessman. My getup is very similar to what I have on now.”

  “Ah, just like last year.”

  “And next year. You catch on fast.”

  “Are you sure you and Jessica won’t come trick-or-treating with us?”

  Tyler shrugged. “You know I’d love to, but unfortunately I’m not in charge.” He reached down and picked up the toolbox. “I’m sorry to run, but I’ve got a meeting with a new client in twenty minutes. Welcome home, and see you tomorrow, OK?” he called over his shoulder as he walked toward his car.

  “Sounds good,” Cassidy said.

  “Bye, son.” Their father waved after him.

  Cassidy looked at her mom and lowered her voice. “How can Jessica want to skip Halloween with her kids? Isn’t that why people have kids?”

  Her mom closed the door and sighed. “I like Jessica, but I don’t understand why she feels the need to walk all over him sometimes, or why he lets her do it.”

  Cassidy shrugged. “Everyone knows pretty women, especially blondes, have s
pecial powers over men, especially pretty blondes who are…um…strong willed.”

  Her mom smiled and gave her a knowing look. “Very diplomatic word choice. So you were saying you have plans tonight? With Patti?”

  Cassidy hesitated. “Um, not with Patti.”

  “Oh?”

  Cassidy swallowed.

  “Honey?”

  Out of stalling options, Cassidy finally replied. “Actually, um, I have a date.”

  Her mother’s eyes flickered with curiosity. “A date?”

  “I’ll put this in your room, kiddo.” Her dad pointed down the hall to the guest room, then promptly disappeared, obviously uncomfortable with the topic. Cassidy smiled as she watched him go. Ah, Dad. Some things never changed. His daughter was approaching forty, but he still got flustered at the thought of her out with a member of the opposite sex. Cassidy and her mom shared the lack of a poker face, but she’d clearly inherited the easily-rattled-by-the-simple-idea-of-going-on-a-date gene from her dad.

  After he was gone, her mom crossed her arms in front of her and smiled. “You have a date?”

  Cassidy took off her coat and tried to act nonchalant. The last thing she wanted was for her mother to know how anxious she was about tonight. It would only make her more nervous.

  “It’s no big deal. I ran into a guy from high school at the reunion, and we’ve sort of been…in touch since then.” Talk about an understatement. She could only imagine what her mom would think if she knew how many text messages she and Brandon had exchanged since that night, the extent to which her thoughts had been consumed by their date tonight.

  “Do I know him?”

  Cassidy shook her head. “I doubt it. He and I didn’t really know each other in high school. His name is Brandon Forrester.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m not sure. He’s taking me to dinner.”

  “Is he picking you up?”

  “Yes, at seven.”

  Her mom clasped her hands together, clearly delighted. “Well, I look forward to meeting him.”

  “He’s nice, you’ll see.” Cassidy turned toward the guest room. “I want to go for a run before he comes, so I’d better get a move on.”

  Her mom shooed her away. “Of course, go, go. I don’t want you to be rushing.”

  Cassidy headed toward the guest room, and as she changed into her running clothes, she realized this would be the first time a date had come to pick her up at her parents’ house.

  Throughout all four years of high school, no one had ever asked her out.

  Not once.

  Maybe that was why her dad was so flustered.

  At 6:45, Cassidy stood in front of a full-length mirror in the bedroom, hands on her waist. She tilted her head to one side, grading her appearance. Not bad. Her loose hair and light makeup looked pretty good, and she could barely see that pesky scab on her nose. She’d found a sleeveless scoop-neck dress in a deep blue that was figure flattering and comfortable but not too dressy, which she’d paired with the small diamond necklace and matching earrings her parents had given her for her thirtieth birthday. She ran her fingers over the pendant and took a deep breath, trying to relax.

  Chill out.

  It didn’t work.

  By 6:55, she was a nervous wreck. She glanced at herself in the mirror again. Outwardly she looked normal, but on the inside she felt nauseated. She could only hope Brandon wouldn’t realize how unnerved she was. Happy to see him was one thing. About to vomit up her lunch was another.

  She walked to the window and peered out the white plantation blinds, waiting for him to arrive.

  I can’t believe this is finally happening.

  At 7:02 he pulled up in front of the house in a pristine black Mercedes SUV. A moment later he exited the car, and Cassidy caught her breath. Dressed in dark jeans and a crisp lavender button-down , he was even more attractive than she remembered.

  Oh my God.

  He’s so handsome.

  She quickly closed the blinds just as he turned to face the front walkway. The last thing she needed right now was to be caught spying on him. She hurried over to the bed and sat on her hands to stop herself from chewing her thumbnail as she waited for the doorbell to ring. Darlene would be so proud.

  She heard the chime a few seconds later, then a door opening, then her mother’s voice, then Brandon’s. She waited a few moments, her eyes closed.

  It’s just dinner.

  Don’t freak out.

  Just have fun.

  Finally, she stood up, smoothed her hands down the front of her dress, and took a deep breath. As calmly as she could manage, she slowly walked down the hall toward the foyer, where Brandon was standing with her parents. Cassidy cringed slightly as she approached them, the inherent awkwardness of the situation impossible to overlook.

  I’m thirty-eight years old, and this beautiful man is picking me up for our first official date at my mom and dad’s house.

  “Hi, Brandon,” she said with a shaky smile.

  Brandon turned to face her, not looking nervous at all, which somehow made her even more anxious. “Hi, stranger. Thanks for not giving me a fake address. That would have been a little awkward.”

  She laughed and gave him a quick hug, then stepped away, not sure how familiar to act with him, especially in front of her parents, who were unaware of the thousands of text messages they’d exchanged. She gestured to her mom and dad. “I see you’ve met my parents?”

  “Yes, we were just chatting about high school.”

  Her mom put her hands on her waist. “Seems silly that you two didn’t know each other, doesn’t it?

  Cassidy swallowed. “It was a big school.” And I wasn’t popular.

  “Cassidy was too popular to pay me any attention,” Brandon said.

  “Yeah, right.” Cassidy lightly pushed his arm, and as she did so she felt the ice between them crack a little bit. She also felt a little spark of electricity run down her own arm at the contact.

  Cassidy’s father put his arm around her. “Brandon said he’s taking you to Baumé. That’s quite a nice place, kiddo. Have you ever been?” He looked impressed.

  She looked up at her dad. “Baumé? I don’t think so.”

  “It’s on California. It’s my favorite restaurant, actually,” Brandon said, then glanced at his watch. “Speaking of which, we should probably get going so we’re not late for our reservation.”

  “Sure, just let me get my coat.” Cassidy turned and darted back into the guest room. As she opened the closet, she had a flashback to the dread she’d felt as she dressed for the Paly reunion, and how in the end she’d gone only because Patti had guilted her into it.

  Now she didn’t feel any dread at all.

  She felt the opposite of dread, whatever that word was.

  Anticipation?

  Excitement?

  Eagerness?

  Right now she was feeling them all.

  Thank God for Patti.

  “Looks like you decided to go for scruff?” Cassidy glanced over at Brandon as they walked toward his car. She remembered his question about her preference in facial hair, and was pretty sure she’d told him clean-shaven. Or had she? For a moment she was tempted to dig out her phone to relive the text conversation, then realized she was actually with him now and didn’t need her phone to feel close to him. Their relationship had finally entered a new dimension, one based in reality, or at least physical reality. The heart palpitations she was currently experiencing told her this had been real in a different way long before tonight.

  He ran a hand over his chin. “I meant to shave but didn’t have time. Plus I’ll have a full beard in two days. It’s ridiculous how fast this thing grows.”

  She stole another glance at him. He looked happy, but he also seemed a bit tired. She didn’t
remember him appearing that way in New York. Then again, his sons hadn’t been with him. Her friends who were working parents often told her they slept better on business trips than at home. That was probably the case with him.

  She pointed to the thick locks on his head. “Better too much hair than not enough, right? Some of those guys at the reunion were looking a little thin up top. That’s got to be rough.”

  “That’s for sure.” He clicked his key fob to unlock the car, then opened the door for her. As she climbed inside, she watched him move around to the driver’s side, running a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair as he walked.

  I want to do that, she thought.

  Brandon pulled to a stop in front of the restaurant and looked over at Cassidy as he turned off the ignition. “Hey, I forgot to ask, did you get a nap on the plane? I’d hate to think the flight interrupted your schedule.”

  She gave him a mock look of shock before exiting the car. “Are you making fun of me?”

  “Of course I am. So did you get a nap?”

  “Actually, if you must know, I did not sleep on the plane.” If you only knew why.

  “Poor thing, I’m sorry to hear that. I promise not to keep you out too late tonight then.” He handed the keys to the valet, then held the door to the restaurant open for her. The moment they walked inside they were greeted by the owner, a short, rotund man with thick gray hair, a matching mustache, and an infectious smile.

  “Brandon, hello and welcome. I saw you were coming in tonight. Your favorite table will be ready in just a few minutes.”

  “Thank you, Stefan.” Brandon turned toward Cassidy. “This is Cassidy Lane, a bestselling author. We went to high school together.”

  Stefan reached for Cassidy’s hand and kissed it. “An author? My, what a pleasure. What do you write?”

  She smiled politely. “Contemporary fiction, nothing too serious.”

  “She’s being modest. Her books are really good,” Brandon said.

  Stefan winked at her. “Well then, if Brandon says so, it must be true. He’s one of my best customers, you see.”