by Seven Steps
I kept my eyes firmly on John. Not allowing them to deviate an inch.
Cassia looked up at her father. “Can I go?”
My heart stopped beating. My entire body froze.
I expected to argue my case, and to slowly work my way up to Cassia being his stand-in, but Cassia had come and just asked him straight out.
I didn’t know whether to be thrilled or terrified.
I was heavily leaving on the latter. If John Johnstone said yes, my entire life would change. Cassia and I would have his permission to go on our first date. I’d finally get the opportunity to show her that I could be more than a friend.
It would only take the approval of her father to get this train rolling.
John squeezed his lips together in thought, then let out a little breath. He handed the tickets to his daughter with a smile.
“I don’t see why not. I’ll have my driver pick you kids up and bring you home.”
“It’ll be like you were right there with us,” Cassia said, placing a hand on her father’s back.
“Yes. Well.” John’s cheeks reddened a bit and he glanced back at me. “That is, of course, if you don’t mind.”
I fought to keep my voice steady and my body still. What I really wanted to do was backflips all through the living room.
“Sir, it would be my honor. I’ll be certain to have her back at a decent hour.”
I could tap dance on the ceiling right now.
“You two just have fun.”
My entire body felt like it was filled with happy air. But I couldn’t give into the feeling. There was still work to do.
“If you’ll excuse me.” John gave his daughter a peck on the forehead and stepped away.
The moment he was out of earshot, Cassia punched me in my arm.
“What are you doing here? And what was all of that about investing and honors and sirs?”
I rubbed my arm, even though it wasn’t sore at all. “Andrew invited me.”
“Andrew Johnson? Why would Andrew invite you here? You don’t have any money.”
I dropped my gaze from her, not wanting her to see me lie.
“My grandfather died. He left my sister and me money in his will.” I raised my eyes back to her. “I came here to see if Andrew would help me invest some of it. Then I met your father and we started talking. He’s a really nice guy.”
“Yeah, I know. Jeez, I’m sorry about your grandfather. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to. It just happened kind of recently.”
She rubbed my arm where she’d punched it.
I liked the feeling of it.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“It’s okay.” I lead her to a side table and sampled a gourmet cheese.
“So, I guess we have a date on Friday.”
A grin escaped and burst onto my cheeks. “I guess we do. That is, if you’re okay with that.”
Her head tilted to the side. “I’m okay with it. Are you?”
One million percent.
I bowed elaborately.
“It would be my honor, my lady.”
She giggled.
“You’re crazy.”
For you.
I just smiled at her.
She fingered the collar of my tailored suit. “Look at you. Haircut. Shave. Nice clothes. Shiny shoes. You clean up nice.”
“What can I say? If I want to be one of the F.E.W I have to dress the part.”
“I guess so.” Her fingers hadn’t left my collar, but her eyes raised up to meet mine. She wore a narrow expression, like she was trying to read my thoughts.
“What are you up to, Mr. Wells?”
“Me?” I popped another piece of cheese in my mouth. “I’m just enjoying the hors de overes.”
She grunted and put another cheese square in her mouth.
“Nah. No one comes for the cheese. Everyone is here for something. What are you here for?”
You. I did all this so that I can be more than your friend. So that I can show you that I can be worthy of you.
But I couldn’t say that. Not now.
“I’m here to learn how to invest in my future.”
“You mean how to have a boring job?”
“When you love something, then working for it is never boring.”
She raised an eyebrow, and her cheeks turned pink.
Crap, had I gone over the line with that one? Did I freak her out?
I guzzled a long drink of water and took a much-needed step back from her.
“I should, uh, see Andrew before I go.”
Retreat. Retreat before you make more of a fool of yourself.
Her voice was breathless. “Okay. See you tomorrow, Alex.”
“See you tomorrow.”
I walked away from her, closed my eyes, and let out a breath.
I’d almost made it to the end of the night without humiliating myself.
I counted that as a win.
I tracked down Andrew Johnson standing by the fireplace talking with Grant.
Grant who hadn’t even come by to say hi to Cassia. Where could I buy that level of control? It was hard enough for me to be across the room from her, let alone not speak to her.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the new Golden Boy.” Andrew patted me on the back. “Hey, the guys and I scored tickets to a business conference on Saturday. You should come.”
The F.E.W were inviting me to hang out. This was a new development.
“Yeah. Sure.”
Andrew smiled, while Grant regarded me suspiciously.
“Great. I’ll call you with the details.” Andrew held out his hand to me. “Welcome aboard, man.”
I regarded a silent Grant, then Andrew again. I shook Andrew’s hand firmly, as I’d read that businessmen were supposed to do.
“Thank you. Glad to be aboard.”
My plan was going well.
I’d scored a date with my dream girl. A new set of friends. And I had money to spare. For once in my life, things were looking up. So why did it feel like the entire world was about to come crashing down?
12
I’d been standing in front of the theater for ten minutes. The night was cool, but my suit jacket was enough to keep me warm. Cassia suggested that she pick me up at my house tonight, but I refused.
I didn’t want her to know where I lived. I was supposed to be wealthy now, and the first thing a newly wealthy person did was move into a new house. If Cassia saw my place in Brooklyn, she’d immediately know that something was up. Plus, I didn’t want Ms. Tuck or Lindsey to show up and blow my cover.
So, I took the train into the city and stood in front of the Kennedy Theater to await tonight’s showing of Hello, Dolly. A movie I’d only seen streaming on Netflix. I had to admit, it was exciting to be standing outside of a Broadway theater, waiting to go inside. I thought the only way I’d see inside of a theater was if I was cleaning it.
I straightened my jacket and buried my hands in my pockets when a hard shoulder shoved me from the side. Instinctively, I curled my hands into fist, readying myself to strike, but the guy held up two hands in front of him. He was muscled with a shaved head and a beard. And his hands were as big as ham shanks. I might’ve been able to take him down, but it wouldn’t have been easy.
“Whoa, there. Sorry kid. My mistake.” He straightened his jacket, then gave me a once over. “You’re Alexander Wells, right?”
I frowned. How did this guy know my name? “Um…yeah.”
“Lindsey’s brother?”
“Yes.” The tension that had balled in my chest released. Of course, this guy knew me through my sister. Lindsey seemed to know everyone from when she worked at the diner. This wasn’t the first time some stranger approached me asking if I was Lindsey’s kid brother.
“Good. Good. Tell Lindsey that Max says hi. And give her this for me, will ya’?” He pulled a white letter sized envelope from his smart black suit and handed it to me. I plucked it from his meaty fing
ers.
“What’s this?” I asked.
He grinned. “She’ll know.”
Then he crossed the street and went on his way.
Who was this Max guy and why did he carry around envelopes for my sister? I fingered the seal, but before I could decide whether to open it or not, a black limo pulled up in front of me and out stepped the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.
Long, blond, wavy hair flowed around her heart shaped face. Her green eyes sparkled and a shimmering, soft pink dress hugged her every curve.
My mouth fell open. My fingers itched to pull her to me and growl at any man who dared to even glance at her.
My God. She was gorgeous.
The second she climbed out the limo and smiled at me, I knew I was done for. It was all so clear now. Cassia was so much more than a passing crush. She was everything. Right then and there I handed over the keys to my heart, hoping against hope that, one day, she’d hand hers over too.
I wanted Cassia Johnstone to be mine more than anything.
I wanted her more than life.
More than breath.
More than any amount of money this world could offer me.
I wanted her soul to curl up with mine and stay a while.
I wanted to wrap myself around her and never let go.
I wanted her to know who I really was, and to love me in spite of it.
But that was impossible.
She wasn’t mine.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
Her cheeks turned bright pink, and she diverted her eyes from me, clearly embarrassed by my unwavering attention. “Alex, you’re staring.”
Her nervous fingers ran through her hair. Smoothed down her dress.
I wanted her to look at me. I wanted to trim away all of the uncertainty that she seemed to be feeling and burn it in a fire, never to return.
I walked forward, until I’d stepped into her space.
“I’m sorry. It’s just… It’s hard not to stare at something so beautiful.” Her eyes bulged but I pressed on because I really wanted her to know what I was feeling just then. “You’re breathtaking.”
She grinned, and bit her lower lip drawing my attention to her full mouth slathered in very enticing pink gloss.
“You’re just saying that,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
I shook my head. “Cross my heart. Hope to die. You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
Her smile widened, and I couldn’t help but smile too.
I crooked my arm and leaned toward her, inviting her to take it.
“Shall we?” I asked.
She hooked her arm with mine and her warmth burned through my suit jacket. Her touch was pure electricity.
How long could we stay this way? With her hanging on my arm and me hanging on her every breath? Forever? I hoped so.
“So, you’re a theater buff?” she asked.
Oh, right. I had told her and her father that. Technically, I’d never been in a theater, unless she counted the school auditorium for our annual school play. I’d been binge watching Broadway shows on Netflix since the F.E.W party. Did it matter where I watched the productions, as long as I watched them?
“Yeah. I love it.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“Besides this?”
She nodded.
“Shrek the Musical. Hands down.”
Her hand went over mouth, hiding a giddy yelp. “I love that one too.” She put her free hand on my arm, and I laid my hand over hers. Our steps turned awkward, but I was thirsty to touch as much of Cassia’s skin as I could. And she didn’t seem to mind.
“What was your favorite song?” I asked.
“I Think I Got You Beat, of course.”
I made a face at her. “Really? I never took you as a girl that liked that kind of humor.”
“Personally, I find burping and farting hilarious. But don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to ruin my girlish image.”
“Well,” I said with an impish grin. “I was going to hold this in but-”
“Alex don’t you dare.” She slapped me on the arm. “They’re funny on the stage and screen. In real life, not so much. Well, unless there is very precise comedic timing involved.”
I laughed out loud. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Speaking of bodily functions, have you picked out something for dinner?”
I shrugged. “A little cafe across town.”
Her eyes went wide, and we stepped over the threshold to enter the warm theater lobby.
“You didn’t.”
“I did. We’re going to Turtle Soup.”
She did a happy bounce on her tippy toes. “That's my favorite cafe. They have the best sandwiches.”
“I know. That’s why I picked it.”
“How did you know?”
“We’ve only been sharing classes since freshman year. I’ve picked up a lot.”
“Like what?”
“Like your favorite color is yellow, your favorite food is macaroni and cheese -baked not stove top- and you have a hair style schedule. Hair up Monday through Wednesday, half up half down on Thursday, and fully down on Fridays.”
She looked at me with something akin to wonder. “You remembered all that?”
I tried not to stare at her, even though I wanted to get down on my knees and worship the ground she walked on.
“Yeah. I remember lots of stuff about you.”
“That’s sweet. A guy has never remembered anything about me before.” She paused. “You’re a good friend, Alex.”
And there was the word I’d been dreading all night.
Friend.
I didn’t want to be Cassia’s friend. I wanted to be her boyfriend. I wanted her permission to kiss her whenever I wanted. I wanted to hold her books between classes and share our lunches and play with her hair. I wanted to have fights and makeups and secrets.
I didn’t just want to be her friend.
I wanted so much more than that.
But I couldn’t tell her those things.
“That’s me.” I forced a smile to my face. “Your amigo.”
I couldn’t even bring myself to say the foul word.
We passed into the doorway and found our seats. To my utter amazement, joy, and surprise, she didn’t let go of my arm, and I didn’t let go of hers. Our arms never left each other. Even during intermission when we got up to get drinks and a snack, her arm stayed snaked in mine, and I held her close.
During the songs, she laid her head on my shoulder, and I so desperately wanted to pull up the arm rest and remove the distance between us that it was all I could do to stay still.
After the play, we ate dinner at the Turtle Soup cafe.
She slid in next to me, and we both ate our turkey sandwiches and dipped our fries in each other's ketchup.
The night had been so amazing. I didn’t want it to end.
“Is this the first time you’ve brought a girl here?” She asked.
“Yeah. It’s actually the first time I brought a girl anywhere.”
She dipped a single fry into my ketchup and chewed it slowly. “So, you’ve never had a girlfriend before?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“But your hoping this mystery girl will be your girlfriend.”
I took another bite of my sandwich, trying to hide my smile. “I’m working on it.”
We ate in silence for a few minutes, taking in long draws of our soda.
“So, did Grant ask you to the spring fling yet?” I asked.
She dropped her fry and put her hands into her lap. Her leg was close to mine. I could practically feel the smoothness of her bare knees and calves.
“No. I don’t think he’s going to either.”
I took a long sip of my soda and barely contained my joy.
I hated Grant.
“If he doesn’t ask me, I'll probably go alone.” Her pout was so sorrowful that I wanted to nibble he
r lower lip until she was happy again.
“You won’t go alone,” I said softly. “Unless you absolutely want to.”
“Well, I don’t want to. But no boy has asked me yet.”
“I’m sure they’re just biding their time.”
“The dance is in a month. How much time do they need?”
Time enough to get their lies straight and to figure out the perfect words to say.
“I don’t know,” I replied. “A few more days, maybe.”
“Are you going alone?”
I looked deep into her eyes. “I hope not.”
“You’re planning on asking this girl?”
She bit her lower lip again, and I held back a groan.
“If she’ll have me,” I replied, my voice choked. Between her legs rubbing against mine and her body being so close, I was going crazy.
And then, she snatched herself away and stood up.
Her once happy voice turned tight with emotion. “I’m going to pay and head out,” she said.
“What? Why? Where are you going?”
“It’s late.” She snatched a twenty from her purse and slammed it on the counter without waiting for a receipt. “I have to get home and get to bed.”
I glanced at my watch. It was barely ten o’clock.
“But-”
Before I could react, she was already marching out the door.
“Cassia, wait!”
I pushed myself out the booth, slapped twenty down next to hers, and ran out of the door after her.
Was it something I said? Was it something I did? Was I coming on too strong?
The limo was parked in front of the restaurant, and I barely got to her as she reached it.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“Home.” Her eyes were red now, her lower lip quivering. Was she crying? Did I do something to make her cry?
“Why? I thought you we were having a great time.”
“We were. But we shouldn’t... You have this girl you’re obviously head over heels for, and I just… I…” She let out a half-choked sob and put her hands over her face. “I don’t want to ruin it for you.”
Was she serious? Ruin it for me? How could she ruin anything for me? She was everything to me.
She let out a huff of air into her hands, raised her face, and stuck out her chin.