Chapter 39
CASSANDRA
Cassandra doesn’t cross paths with Emilio for the rest of the day. When he finally comes home that night, he heads straight to his study. She can’t help but wonder what’s going on. After their argument, he seemed okay, but then he suddenly shut down and retreated to work. Now, he’s avoiding her.
What’s going on with him? What’s changed?
She decides to confront him the next morning, but when she wakes up, he’s already gone. Instead, she finds Alex lying next to her.
The day drags on, quiet and uneventful, until late in the afternoon when she gets a call from Gwen. She’s in Manhattan and wants to catch up.
“Sure, when?”
“How about now?”
“Okay.” With her recent conversation with Emilio still fresh in her mind, she suggests, “Do you mind coming over?” She knows he has good intentions, and the worry she saw in his eyes moved her.
“Text me your address.”
“Will do. I’ll meet you in the lobby—we have a restaurant downstairs.”
After ending the call, Cassandra sends Gwen the details. Fifteen minutes later, she gets a message that Gwen’s outside. She scoops up Alex and heads down to meet her.
As always, Gwen looks gorgeous in a green dress that hugs her like a second skin. Her hair is loose, and she’s wearing heels.
“Hi, Cass,” Gwen greets her. Once they’re settled in the restaurant, she coos at Alex, “Come here, you cutie.” Cassandra hands him over. “He’s grown so much since the last time I saw him, and he just keeps getting cuter. He’s going to be a heartbreaker like his dad.”
Cassandra smiles. “You look amazing, Gwen.”
“You too. Married life seems to agree with you, and Emilio must be treating you well—you look stunning.”
“He is. So, when’s your wedding?”
“You should ask Brian. I’m waiting too.”
Cassandra laughs. “It’s good to see you, Gwen. I’ve missed this.”
“Me too. I don’t have any friends in Seattle.”
“When can I come visit?”
“Anytime. Brian comes to Manhattan on weekends to visit his family.”
A waiter comes to take their orders, and then Cassandra asks, “How’s work?”
“Same old, same old. Nothing new.” Gwen kisses Alex’s cheeks.
“Ever thought about having your own?” Cassandra asks.
“No, not yet.”
“You’re so good with Alex; you’d make a great mom one day.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Cass. How’s everything at the bank?”
“I’m not working there anymore. I got a new job.”
“What?” Gwen exclaims softly. “That makes sense, especially since you’re married to the owner.”
Their food arrives.
“Exactly,” Cassandra agrees once the waiter has left.
“So how’s ‘the good life’ treating you?”
“It’s okay. I just don’t like how the media is always in my business. It gets exhausting.”
“Yeah, it’s like they have nothing better to do than lurk around corners with a camera, ready to snap a picture.” Cassandra can’t help but laugh, and Gwen joins in. “Just imagine: you’ve just woken up, still looking all sexy from the night before, and when you go to the window for some fresh air, there they are, snapping pictures.”
“I can just see the headlines,” Cassandra adds. “Reporters can be a nuisance, but like us, they’re just doing their jobs. We just don’t like theirs.”
“You’re right. Who can blame them? A job’s a job, and we all need to make it in this crazy world.”
Just then, Alex starts getting fussy.
“I guess it’s time for his feed,” Gwen says. “Do you mind if I do it?”
“Oh, shoot!” Cassandra groans.
“What?”
“I left his bottle upstairs. I’ll be right back.”
It only takes a minute for Cassandra to dash upstairs to the penthouse, but when she returns, she’s surprised to see her husband sitting in her chair. “Emilio, what are you doing here?”
He stands up and kisses her cheek. “Sweetheart. I’m meeting a friend, and when I saw Alex, I came over. I thought this lady was you.”
“No, I forgot Alex’s bottle, so I ran to get it. This is my friend Gwen. Gwen, this is my husband, Emilio.”
“She’s already told me.” He turns to Gwen. “I apologize if I was a bit abrupt. I’m very protective when it comes to my wife and son.” His arm wraps around Cassandra’s waist.
“There’s no need to apologize. I understand your concern; I’d be worried too if I saw my child with a stranger.”
Emilio nods. “Sweetheart, I’ll see you at dinner.” He kisses Cassandra and then pecks Alex’s forehead. “Nice to finally meet you, Gwen,” he says before leaving.
“You too,” she replies.
Once her husband is out of sight, Cassandra asks, “What happened?” She hopes he didn’t say anything to upset Gwen.
“How would you react if you were a rich man and you saw your son with someone you didn’t know?”
“I’d be worried he was being kidnapped,” Cassandra answers.
“Exactly. He was pretty upset, but when I told him my name, he calmed down.”
Cassandra hands Alex’s bottle to Gwen.
“Alex and you mean the world to him,” Gwen says, her voice soft. “The way he looked at me, like he was ready to breathe fire, the way his arm wrapped around you like you were his… You’re lucky, Cass. You’ve got someone who cares that deeply.”
Cass wishes that were true. She forces a smile, not wanting Gwen to see the reality. “I know,” she replies.
“He’s ready to take on the world for you two. Who would’ve guessed the most notorious bachelor would fall head over heels and tie the knot?”
Emilio in love? The idea is almost laughable.
Gwen adds, “He’s a keeper, Cass. A man who’d go to any lengths for you is worth holding onto.”
But how can she hold onto someone who isn’t hers? How can she keep a man who could slip away at any moment? The thought scares her.
Deciding to shift the focus, Cassandra says, “I think it’s safe to say Brian feels the same about you.”
“I can’t picture my life without him, Cass. He’s my other half.”
Cassandra knows exactly what she means. She can’t imagine her life without Emilio; he completes her world. His name is etched into her soul.
Emilio comes home late that night. If he’s surprised to see Cassandra still awake, he doesn’t show it. She rises as he tosses his jacket and tie onto the couch.
“Why are you still up?” he asks.
“You thought you could keep avoiding me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb, Emiliano. I’m talking about yesterday morning when you shut down and left. One minute we were talking, and the next you were gone. What happened? Talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“I think there is. And why didn’t you mention the bank?”
“Who told you?” he snaps, anger flaring in his eyes. “Was it someone at the bank? If it was, you better tell them to start looking for a new job because if I find out who it was, they’ll regret it.”
Cassandra can see he means every word, and for a moment, she wishes she hadn’t said anything. “Emiliano, I’m here if you need to talk. I can see this is bothering you. You’re not even sleeping—look at the dark circles under your eyes.”
She steps closer, cupping his face in her hands. “You don’t have to carry this burden alone. I’m here with you, and I always will be.”
Emilio pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly. She clings to him just as fiercely.
“Cassie…”
When they’re together, words aren’t necessary. Emilio lifts her up and carries her to their bed, where they make love until exhaustion claims them.
