Cassie (The Mitchell/Healy Family #7)(62)

“Maybe I didn’t need you to take me home. Maybe I would have done it eventually on my own.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“I thought you were different, Logan. I really did. I thought after all the shit I’d been through I’d met a man who would do anything to protect me from getting hurt. I thought you were safe to be with, but I was wrong.”

“No you weren’t. You don’t know how wrong you are about me.”

The tears in her eyes told me how much I’d hurt her, not that I needed reminders. “I can’t do this. I knew I’d see you, and I tried convincing myself I’d be okay with it, but I’m not.”

“I miss you,” I said like a plea.

She started to walk away. “I have to go.”

I was left scratching my head, looking like an idiot in the middle of a courthouse, all because I couldn’t keep it together. I sat in the courtroom staring at her two rows in front of me for the whole day. When it was finally adjourned, I walked outside, but waited for her to emerge. She saw me immediately and rolled her eyes. “You’re not going to give up are you?”

“Let me take you to dinner.”

“I’m not here alone.”

It was like a kick to the balls. Had she found someone so soon? “Oh, I didn’t think…”

She pushed me lightly on the chest. “Seriously? You thought I brought a guy with me?” She said the next comment in a whisper. “You think I’m easy?”

“I never said that.”

“Let me call my cousin and let him know I won’t be back for dinner. His wife is doing a shoot while we’re here. She’s a model.”

“I apologize for assuming.”

We started walking toward the parking lot. She walked ahead of me, and I hurried to catch up. “Where do you want to eat?”

“I don’t care. I’m starving. I came all this way and for the past two days I’ve been held up in a hotel. Today they call me, and I’m not asked to testify again. My stomach has been in knots. Did you see the way Rocky looked at me? I wanted to throw up.”

“I’m sorry. I haven’t noticed. The only thing I saw in that court room was you.”

She froze in place. “You can’t say things like that.”

I reached for her hand, pulling her closer to me, not giving a damn who saw us. “For two months I’ve been a miserable son of a bitch. I can’t get you out of my mind. I’ve waited for the moment when I’d see you again, and now you’re here, standing right in front of me.”

“For the past two months I’ve thought about a lot of things too. One thing I know for sure is that you and I can’t be together. We live in two parts of the country. Your work keeps you busy, and I’m trying to get my life together. Even if we tried, you and I both know it won’t work. Maybe it’s better this way. Maybe you dropping me off was the best thing that could have happened. At first I wanted to regret what happened between us, but I know it’s not possible. We were both in that hotel room. We acted on impulse and it was great while it lasted. You took good care of me. You kept me safe. Then you took me home, where my family welcomed me with open arms. Now I’ve got a second chance to make things right, and I’m determined to work my ass off until it happens.”

“You’ve put a lot of thought into this.”

She reached up and touched my cheek. “Maybe in another life we could have been good together, but you and I both know it’s over. I hate this place. My life is, and will always be in the country.”

“What about dinner?” I prayed she’d still spend time with me.

“What good will it do? You and I both know what will happen. We’ll have a couple drinks and reminisce about what could have been. Then one thing will lead to another and we’ll end up back at your place.”

I chuckled. “You act like that’s a bad thing.”

“It’s better if we quit while we’re ahead.” She leaned forward and kissed me tenderly on the lips. When she pulled away tears were forming in her eyes. “I wish you the best future, Logan. Whoever you end up with is a lucky woman.”

Then she was gone, hopping in a cab before I could somehow convince her to stick around.





Chapter 34


Cassie


I had to get away from him, not because he made me angry, or feel betrayed. I was over that. It was obvious why Logan felt the need to take me home. All his life he’d longed to have his family back. The idea of me severing ties with mine would never sit well with him. He did the right thing, whether I agreed with his choice or not.

I shielded my face to hide my breakdown from the cab driver. I refused to look out the window to see him standing there. I thought I could handle this, but who was I kidding? Ever since the last time I saw him, he'd consumed my thoughts. Once I accepted he'd sacrificed what we could have been for my safe return home, I got over the pain and agony he'd left me with. Until today. Seeing him in the flesh made everything I thought I'd let go come back.

"Stop the car!" I announced without warning. I handed the driver some loose bills and took off in the direction of the courthouse. My feet were aching in the medium height heels I'd chosen to wear. I stopped to take them off so I’d be able to run.