Sweet Deception (Truth) (2 page)

I was just arranging some bouquets when the door quietly opened.

“Cassie.” The voice was firm but soft; maternal. Enough to make me swallow hard. I looked round to see Marissa Pullman fiddling with the strap of her bag nervously. She was tall with short, chopped blonde hair framing her face. She had been my mother’s best friend and just a glimpse of her was enough to bring back all the emotion I was trying my hardest to bury deep. “Julia told me you were back now. How are you?”

“Hey Marissa,” my voice cracked and I reached out my arms to respond to her offer of a hug.

She pulled away gently and cupped my face in both her hands, “You look gorgeous darling. I love your hair. It feels like it’s been so long since we saw you around here.”

“Yeah I know. I don’t know how long I’m staying. I’m just here for Gran.”

“Oh yes, she told me about her heart attack. How is she?” She asked anxiously.

I sighed because I didn’t think she was doing as well as she pretended she was. And being so active when she needed rest was only going to make her feel worse in the long run. “Fine, I just wish she would stop doing so much.” I remembered the guilt on her face when I woke up and looked out the window, catching her eye. I chuckled, “She’s supposed to rest but she still does all the housework and then this morning I found her outside doing some weeding. I mean weeding. She is eighty years old and just had a heart attack!”

Marissa let out her deep throaty laugh, “She just likes to keep busy, don’t forget she’s used to being on her own.” I cringed inside. It was because of me that she was on her own.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to make you feel guilt honey, but I know she misses you a lot. We all do. Jason and Mel asked me to say hello if I saw you.”

“Oh, that’s nice of them, how are they?” I asked. Jason and Mel were Marissa’s children. We used to play together when we were little and were good friends in primary school. But we just grew apart.

“They’re doing well. Mel has moved away with her boyfriend but Jason is still around. I sometimes wonder if I’ll be able to cut the apron strings with him. He’ll always be my little boy.” She smiled and squeezed my arm, “I have to go, but don’t be a stranger. Please. You remind me of your mother. It makes me feel close to her to see you.” Her eyes closed for a few seconds and when they re-opened they were glistening with tears so I gave her a reassuring hug and told her we could meet for a coffee soon.

Time passed easily after Marissa left. Customers came and went, all friendly and welcoming, if not a little nosy about who I was or what I was doing back. After Gran stopped by with lunch and to check up on me, I threw myself back into cleaning up the store. So much so that I didn't even here the bell as it rang out.
"Good afternoon." I heard the deep drone and felt the hot breath on my ear before snapping my head round to meet the intruder. I searched quickly and looked up to focus on the piercing blue eyes staring back at me. He was so tall, which was slightly intimidating as he towered above me. His hair was dark, messy but styled and just grazed his collar. My eyes dropped to a wide chest, pressed white shirt clinging to toned muscles that looked like they could put Channing Tatum to shame. I found the self control to lift my eyes again and noticed the corners of his mouth turned up with a smirk. Damn it, he knew what I was thinking. "It isn't polite to sneak up on people you know?!" I bit out the words, wanting to say more but holding back. Something about the way he was looking at me rubbed me the wrong way. Or the right way. His grin was smug. His eyes sparkled. His half smile showed off a dimple. Yes, this man knew he was hotter than the Sahara and was used to getting a reaction like mine. Any girl he set his eye on would no doubt be a puddle at his feet by the time he finished with her.
His brows knit together in a frown and an apology graced his beautiful face. "Sorry, I assumed the sound of the bell would have given me away. You looked so wrapped up in what you were doing, I couldn't resist." He shrugged a shoulder playfully, still smirking, and put his hands in the pockets of his dark grey trousers, casually leaning against the table next to him. "Why don't we start over? Blake Richards." His booming voice brought me back to reality. I had been too busy watching the spot where his lean hip was resting against the wood. I shook it off, "Cassandra Wilson," taking his outstretched hand firmly in mine so he knew I was all business. I never introduced myself as Cassie. It was the nickname that my parents and Gran called me so only close friends ever got away with it.
"Well Cassandra, it's a pleasure. We don't get a lot of new faces around here. Have you taken over from Julia?" I rolled my eyes at the question. It may have been rude but I had already answered it a hundred times today and did not want to do it again.

"For a while, yes. Just helping her out." My voice was irritable, but he didn't seem fazed. For some reason I didn't mention the fact she was my grandmother. It just seemed easier that way because the admission had already triggered lengthy conversations from customers today that were emotional and uncomfortable. It was better left out.

"I see. How come I haven't seen you around before?"

I definitely was not in the mood for
another interrogation.
"Because I haven't been around here. I just moved.”

“Anyway, do you know everyone that lives around here?" I challenged.

He smiled and cocked his head to the side, searching for a moment.

"No, but I would remember a beautiful face like yours." His smile was all teeth as though he thought he had this one in the bag.

"Really? Do women round here actually fall for lines like that?" My chuckle was genuinely amused and his smile faltered slightly.

"Oh, they actually do. Sorry. I just expect men to try a little harder than reeling off some cheesy chat up line." I shrugged, and turned round to catch my breath. Charming and arrogant was a dangerous combination where I was concerned. Dan had been exactly that and look how it ended. So when combined with the body of a Greek God, Blake was definitely one I would have to stay away from. I knew from the way my heart was beating and the tingle floating round my body that I was going to have to tell myself that more than once.
Stay away. Stay away. Stay away.
Yep, three times should do the trick.
I pulled myself together and turned and smiled sweetly, trying to hide how he affected me. He had definitely recovered, the dimple was back. “You think I’m trying to chat you up? Well aren’t we ‘little miss thinks a lot of herself’!”

I was taken aback, and cursing inside that I wasn’t witty enough to keep up with him, but I would try my best. “So that wasn’t you just calling me beautiful? Gosh, I think my hearing’s playing up today.” I stared at him knowingly and I could tell he was undecided as to how to proceed. Did he keep up the defense, or admit he was flirting? Either way, I needed the power to come back to me, so I steered the conversation away from the flirting. "So Mr Richards, what can I do for you anyway? I'm sure you didn't come in for a chat. Some flowers maybe?"

He ignored my rebuttal and let go of the cocky attitude, his answer and tone were normal, if not slightly too serious. “Actually yeah, I'm collecting an order. One bouquet of white roses and a single pink gerbera.”

“Oh yes, I was just finishing those. Gr- er...Julia said you have the same order every week?" I tried to come across as nonchalant as possible but the fact I was even asking the question obviously gave me away. He stared at me, wavering slightly as if he was trying to find a plausible answer. Then the smile slowly crept back. "Wait a minute, are you fishing?"
I laughed, "Fishing? No, I'm flower arranging. What does it look like?" Sarcasm dripped from my words as I shook my head and rolled my eyes. A sexy smile pulled at the corner of his lips which had my insides coiling, and he nodded in my direction. "You, Cassandra, are fishing to find out whether I have a girlfriend. Admit it."

Yes
.
"No, I wasn't. I am just trying to make conversation. It’s called good service. I actually couldn't care less whether you have a girlfriend." The disdain in my voice was real. The words that were spilling across my lips were not. He leant over my shoulder and spoke softly into my ear. His voice was low, full of sex and desire, expectation and promise. "Well babe, just so you know, I don't have a girlfriend. I'm free and single. And looking. Let me know if you want to audition. It's a very satisfying role." My eyes widened and my mind stumbled over a suitable retort. I wasn't used to any kind of banter. It had been too long since I needed it. I used my 'unimpressed' face and put my hand on my hip deciding it would be better to just ignore his comment.

"Here is your order, how would you like to pay today?" My tone was cool and collected. Nothing like how I felt at that moment. He took the flowers from me and leant in again. "Just stick it on my tab. Julia knows. It was a pleasure Cassie. I'm looking forward to round two another day." His face was inches from mine, so close I could smell his scent over all the flowers. It was aftershave, with a hint of citrus and man. Heaven. He raised an eyebrow like he knew what I had been thinking and winked before turning and leaving. His whole presence had me weak at the knees and reaching out to grab the table before easing myself into the chair. Boy did I know how to pick the wrong men.
No, wait, I hadn't picked anyone
. I was just attracted to him, that’s all. It didn't mean anything. I felt the same for Matt Bomer and Ryan Reynolds; appreciation of the male form. He was exactly the type I usually went for, and exactly the type I should now stay away from.
Stay away. Stay away. Stay away.
Seconds went by, and I was groaning with frustration that I had given him the wrong impression when the bell went again. I looked up to see long tanned legs and long blonde hair. Laurel. She breezed through the store and smiled. "Well hell, don't you just look crabby. What's got up
your
skirt?" I laughed. She had always been that direct, even when we were young, and I was happy to know she hadn't changed.

"Blake Richards, you know him?" I asked. She raised her eyebrows and then I realised the error in my words. “He’s not got up my skirt, like that!” I clamped my mouth shut before I made it worse and she chuckled.

"Well that name is on the lips of most of the women round here. Of course I know him. What has Mr Oh-So-Sexy done now? Hit on you? He never can resist any female. And they don't resist him. Even though he treats them like shit. I think I'm the only one that has managed it."
"And pray tell, how? Because I wanted to tear his clothes off. Although I only just resisted the urge to give him a slap. What an arrogant ass." She laughed a response and nodded in agreement. "He's out there now with a couple of girls giving them the Blake smile. One look like that and they fall at his feet." I frowned. He had flirted with me then moved straight on to the next one. I tried to convince myself I wasn’t jealous. We had only just met. It was just attraction.
Jerk.
Change of subject please.
"It's so good to see you." I grinned, and Laurel grinned, and we both stood there grinning like idiots. "Yeah it really is. I have missed you so much. I ask Julia about you all the time. How are you? Really. And don't forget I could always tell when you were lying." She walked over to the empty chair and sat down, crossing her bare legs and resting her hands on the table. After what I did to her she was still interested in talking to me.

I paused for a few moments, from both the shock that she was here and having no idea what words to use to apologise. Anything I said wouldn’t really get across how much I hated what I did, but she deserved the truth. "Before I answer, I just want to tell you how sorry I am. I never stopped thinking about you. I was just finding everything so hard to deal with and…and I know it’s not an excuse for running and pushing you away but it is a reason that I wanted to explain." I looked down and fiddled with the pen in front of me, so I would have something else to focus on. My mind was steeling itself for an onslaught of angry words and shouting because I knew that was what I deserved. But the argument never came. Her voice was gentle but there was so much emotion in it, it cracked as she spoke.

"I know how hard it must have been for you. My dad had a heart attack and died just after you left. I still had my mum but I felt completely lost and alone. So to lose both parents...I get it. Of course I wish you had stayed and we could have helped each other, but I get it." She took my hand and I realised what a crap friend I actually was, tears started falling. Not even twenty-four hours here and I had started blubbering. At least I knew I wasn’t a complete ice-queen.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. You should have had me to turn to, I can't believe I wasn't there." I was sniffing and shaking my head and swiping at the tears with my hands. I looked up at her and she was doing the same. Standing, I pulled her into a hug. "Please forgive me. I'm here now and I want us to be friends again," I mumbled into her shoulder.
"Of course. Cassie, we never weren't friends. You were just too busy trying to deal with the shit on your own that you didn't realise." She pulled away and rubbed my arms. "We definitely need a girl’s night out. How about Friday night we head out and get a little rowdy. I haven't been out in
ages
." She stressed the word dramatically and stuck out her bottom lip in a cute pout. I sighed, and gave in; she knew how to win me over. "Okay, but only if you promise that you won't leave me. I remember what you used to be like."

She squealed, clapping her hands together and jumped up and down on the spot. "Deal. I can't wait. It's going to be epic. Give me your phone." I dug it out my bag and handed it over. She put her number in it and rang her phone once. "Now we are sorted, give me a call when you finish work and we can pick a time. I'm so happy you are back!" She kissed my cheek, waved and just like that she was gone. I had almost forgotten what a whirlwind she was, but for the first time in years, the edges of the hole inside me had inched closer. I was determined to get my life back on track while I was here. And Laurel had been the start of it all.