CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR
Jericho POV
Seeing Cassandra in this vulnerable state broke my heart.
She looked as though she was a lost child.
And I didn’t know how to help ease her confusion.
When she asked me why it felt as if we would never get our start, I didn’t quite know what to say to her.
She wasn’t wrong.
It was as if life was throwing us these curve balls.
And I didn’t know how much more she was going to take.
I just wanted her to know that regardless of everything that was happening my feelings for her were not going to change.
And that nothing was going to stop me from making her mine.
And in that moment, I knew what I wanted to do.
I knew what I wanted.
So, I finally plucked up the courage to ask her to my mother’s luncheon on Sunday.
Seemed like a better time than any.
Or so I thought.
When I saw the shocked look on her face I kind of got the impression that I was wrong.
Maybe it wasn’t such a good time to have asked her.
And her reply clarified this for me.
“I don’t think going on a date right now is the best idea.”
She looked saddened by this.
But she knew it was the right thing.
I just smirked trying to hide my laughter.
“Cassandra.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it a date.”
“My mother’s having this family luncheon, and I would much prefer your company.”
“Will you join me?”
In reality I did see this as a date, but I thought it better to make it seem like a light affair rather than the truth.
“You want me to meet your mother.”
“Isn’t that a bit soon?”
Her innocence was refreshing.
It’s what made her so much more beautiful to me.
“I love you Cassandra and I want the world to know it.”
She was blushing.
“Slow down cowboy.”
“Maybe we should just see how lunch goes first before telling the world.”
The smile on my face widened.
“So, is that a, yes?”
She inches closer to me still locked in my embrace.
“Of course that’s a yes Jericho.”
“I would love to be your date to your family’s luncheon.”
“I didn’t say it was a date.”
I said chuckling.
“I know but let’s be realistic…”
“It’s a date she whispered on my lips.”
And then without a moment’s warning her lips were on mine.
When they did the world around us suddenly vanished.
And everything that was happening on the sidelines didn’t seem so important anymore.
It was just us.
Me and her.
And it was all I could have ever wanted.
We stayed like this for a few moments before she pulled away from me.
After which my lips felt naked and cold.
“Hey, I was enjoying that.”
I said with a chuckle.
I sounded like a child.
She started laughing also.
“Well Mr there’s plenty more time for that later.”
I wiggled my eyebrows up and down.
“Easy.”
She laughed.
“We have to sort this stuff out with Sarah first.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Right.”
“I almost forgot.”
Her face looked solemn.
“Can’t we just let Alex deal with it?”
She stood still for a moment.
Contemplating something I’d imagine.
“About Alex…”
This caught my attention.
“What about Alex?”
I asked.
“Will he be there Sunday?”
This took me back.
I actually didn’t think to mention him.
He wasn’t exactly my favourite person.
But it was a valid question on her part.
“Well, he is family… unfortunately.”
“So yes, I imagine he will be there.”
Her face had this expression on it that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
It was an expression that I had never seen on her before.
“Cassie, talk to me.”
“What’s wrong.”
She shakes her head.
“Nothing, it’s just…”
“What do we say to him about us.”
I contemplated this for a moment.
“We say nothing.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It’s none of his business.”
She nods.
“Yeah, your right.”
“He shouldn’t be bothered by it anyway.”
I go to embrace her once again.
“Don’t worry that pretty little head of yours.”
I laughed and ruffled the top of her head.
“Hey.”
She swats my hand away.
“Watch the hair.”
She laughs.
Just then Alexis saunters in.
“When you two are quite finished.”
“Can we discuss Sarah.”
“What she wants.”
“Why now.”
We both just stand there staring at her.
“Mood killer.”
Alexis sticks her tongue out at Cassie.
“Maybe we should just wait and see what happens after Alex meets her next weekend.”
Cassandra states.
Alexis ponders this.
“True.”
“But we could at least do some digging beforehand.”
“Prepare ourselves for the worst so to speak.”
I cut in between the girls.
“Ok, ok Sherlock Holmes what do you suggest Alexis?”
She moves closer.
“Just the basics.”
“What she’s been doing for the last 20 something years.”
“I know a few people I can call.”
Jesus she is terrifying.
“Ok Alexis make your calls.”
“If anything comes up where you feel it will put you guys in any kind of danger you let me know immediately.”
She grabs for her cell.
Dials a number and walks away.
I look towards Cassandra whose mouth was gaping open.
I guess she didn’t realise her best friend was a secret spy.
Which in its own right was terrifying.
I call for her attention.
“Cassandra.”
“I need to go into the office and sort a few things, but I will be back here later.”
“Maybe I can fix some dinner for you?”
She turns to me.
“Oh, ok yeah of course you do.”
She looked saddened.
“Dinner sounds good.”
I lift her chin.
And kiss her deeply.
So deeply that I don’t want to leave her.
But I know I have to.
Even if it is for a sort time.
I break the kiss.
Because If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have been going anywhere.
“See you in a few hours baby.”
And I peck her nose with a kiss and turn to leave.
As I get to the front door, I take one last glance at her behind me and head out.
Counting down the hours already before I would see her again.