Following Your Heart (Love Conquers All) (3 page)

“Of course, I'll pick you up at 6.  I'd offer you to join us...but, it's...”

“Business,” Cassie finished with a smile.  “I understand.  I'll see you tonight.”  She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips.  She was well aware that the passion they usually experienced wasn't there, but she was sure Chad was just focused on his work.”  She waved goodbye as she joined Tiffany and they left the restaurant.  “Hmm...” she mumbled to herself as she exited the restaurant.  As they headed back so she could get her car she thought about Monica and the dress she was wearing, it didn't look like something a client would wear.  “Do you think she's pretty?”

“Who?  The girl in the restaurant?”

Cassie stopped and turned to Tiffany.  “Yes Monica.  Do you think she's prettier than me?”

“Cassie, don't do this.  He said she's a client and I'm sure that is all it is.”

“That doesn't answer my question.”

“She looks like a woman that knows how to get what she wants.”

“Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.”  Cassie replied as they started to walk again.  “I could never pull off a dress like that.”

“You shouldn't have to.  You're a beautiful girl and whoever doesn't see that is foolish.”

Cassie smiled, “Well thank you.  Listen, I'm sorry I got a little defensive at the restaurant.  I just don't want to keep bringing up the past.  I have moved on and I just want to forget about that part of my life.”

“Then...it's forgotten.”  Tiffany stopped as they reached Cassie's car.  “Have a good time and forget about work.  It will be here when you get back.”  Cassie hugged her and smiled as she got into her car.

“I'll see you later Tiff, thanks for the talk.”

“Anytime!  Have a good time Cassie.”  Cassie nodded and drove away, she was determined to put Monica out of her mind and remember that she was Chad's girlfriend and that's all that mattered.

“So, what do you think?”  Kimberly, her beauty operator, stepped back and nodded in satisfaction.  “You are going to blow the socks off of every man on that cruise.”

Cassie's eyes got big as she saw the change in front of her.  There was only one man she wanted to impress and she hoped that her new look would do it.  She ran her hand through her straight hair that hung around her shoulders.  “Do you think it's too much?  I wanted a change, but I went from being a blonde with curls, to
an auburn-haired woman with straight hair.

Kimberly rolled her eyes, “Take a chance.  It's a change, but a good change.  You said you wanted a more sophisticated look.”  She just hoped it wasn't too much of a change for Chad to handle. 

“It's great, thank you Kimberly.”  She paid for the new hairdo and then looked at her watch she had just over an hour to finish the new look.  With her new dress and shoes in the back of her car, she quickly headed home.  She had no time to lose.  As she pulled into her driveway she jumped out and ran into the house, with her packages in tow.  She took a quick shower and then got dressed in her new red dress that left little to the imagination.  She cringed when she saw her reflection; it wasn't something she was used to doing.  She didn't have time to rethink her choices she applied the makeup, her hand was shaking and she tried to will it to stop.  She grabbed the gold comb off her dresser and slipped it into her right side of her hair, allowing her one side to be lifted slightly away from her neck. She was just putting on her black high heels when there was a light knock on her door.  She gave herself one last look and then headed to the door.  “Coming.”

When she opened the door she gave Chad a big smile.  “Hey Chad.”  She pulled him closer and took his lips on hers.  I have been waiting for this all day.”  She even surprised herself by her actions, she wasn't usually so forward.  When she saw the expression on his face she realized she had his attention.

When they pulled away he gave her a once over and then looked into her eyes.  “You look nice.”  The words were soft, and Cassie didn't know what she really expected.  “New dress?”

Cassie nodded, “Yeah...do you like it?”  She spun around to give him a look at the backside.

“Yes, it's different.  Something I wouldn't expect to see you wear.”

Cassie smiled, “Is that a good thing?”

For the first time since arriving at the house he smiled.  “It's a great thing.”  He moved in for another kiss, this time allowing it to be deeper and longer.  She tried to ignore the fact that he didn't even say anything about her new hairdo.  It was best to just leave it alone.  “You are beautiful.”

“Thank you.”  Cassie turned away, “So, where are we going?”

“I thought we could go to the place where this all started, back to the beginning.”

“Luigi's?”  Cassie asked remembering the place that started out their relationship.  It's where they met, she was doing an Ad campaign for them and he was their lawyer that finalize
d the deal.  “That's perfect.”

“Good, it's chilly out there.  You better
wear your coat.” 

“It will be Christmas before you know it. 
This is why we need to get out of this cold and enjoy the warm weather.”  She smiled to him, but she realized that his attention wasn't focused on her.  His expression was distant and she had to look away for fear he would catch her watching him.

“Halloween is just around the corner.  It's hard to believe this year has gone by so fast.”  Chad helped her with her jacket and then they walked out to the car.  He opened the door for her.  She slid in the car and waited for him to join her.

When he got into the car, she turned to him.  “Is everything alright?”

“Of course,” he replied.  His smile looked forced.  “Why wouldn't it be?  We're about to go away for two glorious weeks.  Everything is perfect.”

“Okay...it just seems...never-mind; I'm just being a little paranoid.”

As he backed out of the driveway, she realized how she happy wanted to be in that moment, yet something was bothering her.  The drive to Luigi's was only a few minutes away and they rode in silence.  When he parked the car he opened the door and took her hand to get out, their hands stayed locked together while they walked into the restaurant.  “Good evening, Miss Jamison and Mr. Davies...we have your table waiting.”  They walked to the table in the back, Cassie was thankful it was secluded.  Just a place for the two of them to talk.

“Thank you.”  Chad replied as he pulled out the chair for Cassie to take a seat.

They looked in the menu, even though Cassie was sure it had already been decided.  They always got the same thing, Spaghetti with Meatballs and a Salad on the side.  She wasn't disappointed that what's they both chose and they placed their order before beginning a casual conversation.  “So, how was work today?”

“It was good; I was able to finish up all my cases before leaving Sunday.  That was a positive.”

“Even Monica's?”  She instantly hated that she said anything, but it was too late to take it back.

“What?”

“Did you finish up her case?  The woman, I saw you with today...you said she was a client?  Just curious if your dealings with her were finished?”

“Oh...yeah, we’re through...I mean the case that she was involved with, it's done.”

“Oh...” Cassie didn't know why but she just couldn't drop it.  “So, she's very pretty.”

Chad nearly spilled the water glass he was sipping from.  “Excuse me?”

“I just meant she's very attractive. 
I would suspect it would be difficult working with someone that looks like her.”

“I hadn't noticed.”  He replied quickly as he raised an eyebrow.  “Are you trying to get at something?”

Cassie shook her head, “No, just making conversation.” 

“Well, I'll tell you this.  I doubt she would make good girlfriend material.”

“Why do you say that?”

He shrugged, “Just a hunch, she just seems to be more into herself than anyone else.”  He paused for a moment, “You have nothing to worry about Cass.”

“I'm not worried; I just made a statement that she is pretty.”

“Not nearly as pretty as you.”  He replied as he reached out and grabbed her hand, she was relieved to hear him say that.  She was glad when the food arrived and they went on to eating and ignoring the elephant in the room.  She was convinced that she was just being crazy.  “How was your day at work?”

Cassie smiled, “I got a promotion.”

“You did?  That's great babe, good for you.  Who's leaving?”

“Mr. Bishop, my boss.  He decided to take an early retirement and he hired me to do his job.  He wanted to tell me before vacation and he assured me that when I get back, we can settle the details.  This is going to be such an exciting position.”

“I am so proud of you, then tonight is a celebration.  We could go out dancing after we eat?”

Cassie nodded, “I suppose we could do that.” she paused for a moment. 

He looked at her and raised his eyebrows, “It was just a thought.  We don't have to, if you don't want to.  We can do whatever you want to do.”

Cassie grinned, “I really think we should go somewhere to talk.”

“Okay.”  He waved for the check and Cassie took a deep breath because she knew where the evening could end, if all went well.  After he paid the bill he took her hand and they left the small restaurant.  When they reached his car, she paused a moment before she got into the car.  “Where do you
want to go?”  He asked with a whisper.

“Let's go back to my place.”  She bit her lower lip as she reached up and kissed him softly on the lips.   She got into the car and waited for him to hurry around to the other side.

He put the key in the ignition, but didn't pull away from the parking lot.  He turned to her and reached over to touch her leg.  “I love you Cassie.  You have to know that.”

“I do know that Chad and tonight...I plan on telling you how much you truly mean to me.”

He squeezed her knee as he pulled out of the lot and headed in the direction of her house.  She couldn't wait to tell and show him exactly how much she loved him.

___________________

When Cassie unlocked her front door and Chad followed her into the house, she was still unsure what she was going to tell him.  He helped her remove her coat and she threw it on the couch and turned to look at him.  “Would you like some coffee?  Piece of pie?  We didn't really finish eating.  I'll go get it.”  She started to head to the kitchen, but he reached out and grabbed her arm.  She looked at him and a smile began to form on his lips.

“I'm not hungry Cassie.  You wanted to come back here to talk, that's why we're here.  Cassie, there's no need to be nervous.  You've never been shy about speaking to me before.

“I've changed Chad.”

He took a step back, “Okay.  Is that a good or bad thing?”

Cassie saw the apprehension on his face and it reminded her of the first time they talked.  They were both so shy to begin a relationship, but it just came so natural.  “It's a good thing.”  She moved closer to him and slowly unbuttoned his suit coat.  “It took me awhile to tell you how much I cared for you and in that time I was worried you would try to move onto someone else.  I didn't expect you to wait for me to feel...ready. You have been so patient with me and I love you for that.”  As his jacket fell to the floor, his hands reached out for hers.  “I agreed to go on this vacation, hoping that we could take our love to the next level.”

“Cassie,” Chad spoke, letting out a slow breath.

She put her finger up to his lips and smiled.  “Let me finish.”  She slowly pulled his shirt loose from his pants and then worked her hands, button by button.  “The fact is I don't want to wait until we're on that boat.  As her hands found their way to his chest, their lips connected.  She felt a fire ignite between them as his tongue searched for hers.  She parted briefly; he licked his lips bringing a smile to her face.  “Make love to me.”

For a moment their eyes connected, her heart pounded hard in her chest as neither one said a word.  “Cassie, there is nothing than I would want more.” 

She smiled as she wrapped her arms around him and leaned in closer.  “I was hoping you would say that.”  She slowly placed her lips against his.  It was in that moment that she felt a shift between them as he began to pull away.  “Chad...I...”  Her words faded when he began to button his shirt back up.  “I don't understand.”  She was beginning to get nervous, when he finally made eye contact.

“We really need to talk.”  His words were quiet and Cassie's stomach dropped when Chad took a seat and pointed to the spot next to him.  She sat down, despite the nagging voice inside her head telling her it wasn't going to be good.  “When I think of my future, you are in it.  There is no doubt in my mind that I would be the luckiest guy in the world to come home to you.”  She began to say something, but he touched her hand and it silenced her.  “I have to tell you something.”

“Chad, you're scaring me.”  Her words were barely above a whisper as she continued to stare at him.

“Cassie, I...” his voice halted when they heard a knock at the door.  Cassie looked at Chad, but then turned to the door.  They sat a few seconds in silence and Cassie prayed for
whoever was interrupting that moment would leave, she almost thought they had until she heard another knock.

“Cassie?  Are you home?”

Cassie opened her mouth in shock and mouthed that it was her mother at the door.  “I'm sorry,” she whispered.

He nodded as he stood up and continued to fix his shirt.  “Mom, I don't think she's home.”

When Cassie reached the door, she heard her sister's voice and saw that Chad had finished fixing his clothes.  When she opened up the door she stood staring at her mom, sister, and a guy that she had never seen before.  “Mom?  Courtney?  What are you guys doing here?”  She asked in surprise as she took each of them into a hug.

“Did we interrupt?”  Courtney looked at Chad and then turned to Cassie.  “Mom, I told you it wasn't smart to just come without calling.  I'm sorry Cassie.”

“Don't be silly, you guys don't need an invitation.”  She gave Chad another apologetic look and tried to smile.  “You remember Chad.”  They had met Chad shortly after Cassie began to date him, when she went home for her dad's 55
th
birthday party.

“Of course, Chad...it's good to see you.”  Her mom was pleasant but she looked with disapproval at Cassie. 

“Okay you know Chad...who might this be?”  Cassie asked, trying not to sound irritated.

“Oh yeah, this is Bradley Parker.”  Courtney started as she grabbed his arm and pulled him closer to his side.  “Cassie, this is my
fiancée.”

Cassie stared at her sister, “
Fiancée?”

Courtney held out her hand with a bright diamond on her left ring finger.  “We're getting married in December.”

Cassie couldn't believe that her magical night was turning into her younger sister getting married.  “I...” Cassie looked over at Chad who was looking at her.  “Congratulations!”  She hugged her sister and then shook Bradley's hand.  “I guess you will soon be part of this family.”