Never Doubt Me: Judge Me Not #2(11)

I get back on track quickly, though, especially when I stretch and think about last night, the time spent in Chase’s bed. I can’t help but giggle and curl my toes. But then I suddenly remember it’s a weekday and I have to go to work, so my euphoria subsides.

“Ugh,” I mumble, before I reluctantly get up.

Before I do anything, I check in on Cassie. She’s still fast asleep.

Quietly as I can, I shower and dress. I then toast a bagel to eat on the way to the church. A half hour later, I’m at my desk in the rectory, fulfilling my duties as temporary secretary at Holy Trinity.

Any other day, I’d be counting the hours until lunch, anxiously awaiting noon so I could go grab a bite to eat down at the local diner with Chase. But Chase called as I was driving in to work and told me he talked with Father Maridale, and considering what’s going on with Will and Cassie, the priest who’s in charge of things around here gave Chase the day off.

Chase also works for Holy Trinity, fixing things up around the church grounds, including at the grade school next door. I work at the school as a first grade teacher during the school year. The secretary gig is just for the summer, which I can’t believe is more than halfway over.

Suddenly, my cell buzzes. It’s Chase.

“I miss you” is the first thing out of his mouth.

“You’re too cute,”

“Cute?” he says sourly, his tone mock-offended. “Shit, babe, I must have done something wrong last night if cute is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of me.”

He does have a point; his actions last night were definitely not definable as “cute.”

With that in mind, I quickly amend, “Hmm, okay… How ’bout we go with sexy, strong, take-charge, orgasm-inducing—”

“Okay, okay.” He chuckles. “So, I was thinking—”

“That could be dangerous,” I interrupt, teasing.

“Ha-ha. You sure are in a good mood today.”

“Uh, I wonder why.”

I hope he detects the still-satisfied-from-last-night smile in my voice. I suppose he does, when, a second later, in a low voice, he rasps, “I wish you were here right now, and not stuck at work.”

I start to whisper back a sexy response, but then I hear Will and Cassie in the background on Chase’s end of the line.

“Ugh,” I groan. “Do we need to put this discussion on hold?”

“Yeah, I think so,” he replies, sighing.

I smoothly change the subject. “So how are things going today?”

Chase informs me everyone is getting along, and then he says, “So, back to my idea. I was thinking maybe we could take Will and Cassie to the drive-in out on Route 7 tonight. What do you think?”

“I think it’s a great idea.”

“Yeah,” Chase says, “It should work out well. That big action blockbuster we were planning to take Will to is still playing.”

“Perfect,” I reply.

We intended to take Will to see that particular movie, before the original plan of him coming to Ohio went awry.

“Hey,” I say hesitantly, “I kind of wanted to run something by you.”

I’m quiet, and Chase prompts, “What is it, babe?”

I take a deep breath, exhale slowly. “Chase, I know I should stay out of it, but I can’t stop thinking about the situation with Cassie and her stepdad.”

“Hey, I hear ya,” he scoffs. “It’s a f*cked up mess, no doubt about it.”

“Well,” I continue, “I was thinking maybe I could try to talk to Cassie about it. She seems to like me. Maybe she’ll open up some.” I sigh. “Anyway, it’s worth a shot. If she starts by talking to me, then maybe she’ll eventually feel comfortable enough to tell her mom what’s been happening back in Vegas. Mrs. Sutter needs to know why her daughter ran away.”

“You’re right,” Chase agrees. “Your idea is a good one, Kay. Hell, if anyone can get her to open up, it’s you. In fact, I’d put money on it.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I say, pleased that Chase believes in me so much.

I hear a noise outside the double doors leading into the office. When I glance that way, I see Father Maridale is about to come in. His white hair and black frock stand out in stark contrast through the tinted glass.

“I have to go,” I whisper to Chase.

Father Maridale steps into the office just as I press End.

He’s a nice guy, and he smiles kindly as he walks over to my desk. Nodding to my mostly clear desktop, he says, “Not much going on today, huh?”

“No, not really. Just some calls for you.” I hand him a few slips of paper containing the details of the messages I took down for him.

“You can leave early today, if you’d like,” he says distractedly while he flips through the slips of paper.

I am up for that, so I thank him and start to gather my stuff. Father remains next to my desk, though, so I know he has something more to say.

He sets down his messages and inquires, “Chase getting along okay with his brother? He sounded a little stressed out when I spoke to him this morning.”

I lean back in my chair and confess to him that things were a little rough when Will and Cassie first arrived.