The Ex Files (Ocean View #1)(78)
“No. No way, wait until we get home,” I chide, and he smiles at me, that dimple I love coming out. “And Jeff won’t kill you, don’t worry.”
“What?”
“I told him to send you out here. He knows. You won’t be in trouble.” I’ve become friends with nearly all of Luke’s friends in the past six months, including his boss and the shop owner.
“You told him to send me out here so I could fuck you on CR 324?” His eyes are wide with surprise.
“Of course not! I just asked if he could set it up, that this is where we met…” Humor now fills his shocked green eyes. “What?” He’s laughing now, and dread fills my belly as he fixes his clothes. “What, Luke!?”
“Babe, he knew.”
“No, I told him—”
“Don’t care what you told him, Cass. He knew I was coming out here to get laid.”
“There’s no way—”
“Cassie, I’m a man. Men know. There’s no way he okayed this, went along with it, and thought, what? It was going to be a romantic picnic? Love you, babe, but he knows.” His eyes are sincere on mine, and I see it now, the truth.
“No.”
“Yes, babe.” He tightens the robe I’m wearing, tugging at the bottom to cover more of me. “He knows.”
“Oh, my God! I can never show my face there again.”
“What? Why?”
“Uh, hello! Luke! Your boss knows.”
“Sweetheart, if anything, you just won the award for the best girlfriend.”
“No, maybe skankiest girlfriend.”
“Again, Cass, I know men. You just made me a legend, calling me out to fuck you on the side of the road.” An arm goes around my waist and he laughs. “You’re perfect.”
“Luke, this isn’t funny.”
“They’ll never say a word to you. Or even me, really. No need to worry. But just know, you won over every man in that shop today.”
“Oh my God,” I whisper into his chest.
“You love me?” I look up at him, a small smile still playing on his lips.
“Of course.”
“That’s all that matters, Cassie. You love me. I love you. That’s it.”
“But Luke—”
“Was it worth it?” My face burns. I know
“What?”
“Me, fucking you on the side of the road. Worth it? Because it sure as fuck was worth it to me, and now I know I have to deal with all those jealous fucks at my work, thinking about you and how fuckin’ lucky I am to have you.” I go to argue. “Sweetheart, that was the hottest thing we’ve ever done. And with everything I’ve done to that body of yours, it’s saying a lot.”
He’s not wrong. That is saying a lot. So instead of arguing, I give him a short, sweet kiss, ignoring my still-present embarrassment and saying, “Okay, Luke.
One Year Later
Walking into the apartment I share with Luke, I call out his name before bending down to unhook the leash from our yellow lab puppy’s, Cooper’s, collar. We got him just last month after lots and lots of begging—on Luke’s end. I was against it, because fur and mess and poop, until I saw the little smushed face and melted.
But now, as I stand, my black running leggings covered in yellow fur already, I’m confused. He’s not here.
He was here not thirty minutes ago when I took Coop for a run. What the…
My eye catches on the marble counter, two stacked boxes, and something small on top. Walking over, I see a fortune cookie, still in the wrapper, with a note.
“Open the cookie and get ready, then go downstairs.”
It’s scribbled in Luke’s messy, near illegible scrawl, and I smile. He loves stuff like this. Fun outings to remind me of our first date he planned, full of surprises and twists. Opening the package and cracking the cookie, I read it:
“Your next adventure is about to begin.”
My brows furrow in confusion before I set it aside, opening the top box.
Inside, nestled in white tissue paper, is a familiar dress.
A cream sweater dress with a V-neck, new tags on it, just my size.
I used to have this dress.
Well, I still do, technically—it’s in a memory box on the top shelf of my closet, a coffee stain that never washed out of the luxurious fabric and all. I move to the next box.
Black over the knee boots with no heel. These aren’t the same as my old ones, the ones I couldn’t take off to save my life, but still…
My phone vibrates.
Gabi calling.
“Hello?” I answer, still distracted.
“Are you almost ready?”
“What?”
“We have to go. We’re on a tight schedule.”
“Gabi, what—”
“Rinse off, put on the dress, get ready, and let’s go. Buzz me up and I’ll make sure Coop has water before we leave.” She clicks off and I stare at the now silent phone before the apartment buzzes with Gabi’s request. Moments later, she’s at my door, shooing me off.
“Go, now! We have—” She glances at her watch. “Fifteen minutes. Go!”
“Gabi, where are we—” Her hands grab my face, bringing it close to hers. “Cassie. Go get ready.” There’s a strange look in her eyes that I haven’t seen before, but instead of arguing, I just nod and do as I’m told. Ten minutes later, we’re out the door and to our next… stop.