by Robyn M Ryan
“He wouldn’t take no when Cassie told him she wasn’t interested. I interrupted when he grabbed her arm.” He watched his brother’s expression. “Unless he’s ignorant, he got the message to leave her alone.”
A smile hinted at Andrew’s lips. “Ready to go all caveman on him, as Caryn likes to say? You looked a tad possessive and pissed off.”
“You saw that?”
Andrew laughed. “Oh, yeah. Caryn had her back to you, so she didn’t see. Cam came back into the tent like a whipped donkey.”
“Just an ass.” Tom noted Andrew’s scrutiny. “You have something to say?”
“Nope. I’m good. Just checking to see if I need to follow up with Camden.”
“No need. He’s on notice. Don’t jeopardize team unity.”
Andrew barked a laugh. “If he brings an attitude to the clubhouse, he won’t leave with it. Trust me.” He leaned back in his chair, a speculative smile crossing his face. “Something you want to talk about?”
“Not that I know.” Tom cut up a piece of turkey and took his time savoring the taste.
Andrew reached over and slapped Tom’s shoulder. “Hypothetically… if you’ve thought about asking our nanny for a date, there’d be no objection from either Caryn or me.” A knowing smile spread slowly across his face.
“Hypothetically speaking? Appreciate it.”
Cassie hesitated as she approached the tent. Tom sat with Caryn and Andrew, the twins on their parents’ laps, eating bite-sized pieces of turkey and sweet potato from paper plates. Her stomach dipped when she looked at Tom, remembering how she felt with his hand against her back—and his tone when he confronted Cam.
Caryn waved her over and invited her to join them. “Hope your cute outfit didn’t stain.”
Cassie shrugged. “It’s washing right now. Fingers crossed.”
Tom pulled back the chair beside his. “Would you like a refill on that mimosa?”
“Thanks, I’m good.” She looked at Caryn. “I got my break while changing clothes. So nice and peaceful in your home.”
“It’s your home, too,” Caryn replied with a soft smile. “I don’t remember what it was like before you came.”
“Oh, I do,” Andrew said. “My stubborn, beautiful wife was beyond exhausted. So, thank you, Cassie—consider yourself part of our clan.”
Unexpectedly, Cassie blinked back tears. “That means a lot. Thank you.”
“Now, if we could just get you to agree to a long-term contract,” Andrew said, his blue eyes teasing her.
“Where do I sign?”
Tom held up his hand. “Sign without representation? Not advised.”
Cassie giggled. “Are you volunteering?”
He shrugged. “I know how my brother negotiates. Just run any offers by me before you sign.”
“Of course!” Cassie fought more laughter. “You guys are too much. Besides, you know I’m not leaving. You’re stuck with me until you kick me out. I love my munchkins.”
When the twins got antsy, Cassie volunteered to take them home for some playtime.
“You don’t need to do that, Cassie. This is a day off for you,” Caryn said.
“Honestly, I could use some quiet time with these two.”
“Quiet time—with my peanuts?” Andrew laughed. “I think that’s an oxymoron.”
“Never…I’ll thank the Rogers and tell Lauren I’m leaving, then come right back for my munchkins.”
She found Lauren and Dave standing in a group of players and their families. She hesitated when she realized Cam stood near Lauren but straightened her shoulders and approached her aunt.
“I’m taking the twins home,” she said.
“Oh, you need some help?” Lauren’s green eyes brightened.
“Stay and enjoy the party.” She leaned close to Lauren and whispered, “I’m all partied out.”
She watched as Lauren tugged Dave’s hand to get his attention. “I’ll be back in a few. Just going with Cassie and the twins across the street.”
Dave flashed a grin at Cassie. “Had enough socializing for the day?”
Cassie smiled and shrugged in response. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Cam watching them. “I’ve had no play time with my munchkins.”
“Another reason Caryn loves you,” Lauren said, and then rose on tiptoes to brush her lips against Dave’s.
Once back in the Chadwick’s home, Cassie consciously released the tension she’d felt all afternoon. She laughed when she stepped into the play area, and Daniel immediately reached for the toys.
“Hold on, tiger. Let’s get you safely on the floor.” Cassie laughed as she looked at Lauren. “He gets stronger every day. The way he kicks, he may have a future in soccer.”
“Not surprising.” Lauren placed Jenna beside him as Cassie lifted the basket of toys from its shelf. “Do you mind if I’m a nosey aunt for a minute?”
Cassie met her gaze. “You’re not nosey. What’s up?”
“Just something Cam said.”
Cassie sighed as she rolled her eyes. “Forget anything he says. I probably pissed him off earlier.”
“What did he do?”
“The guy just won’t or can’t believe I want nothing to do with him.”
Lauren nodded. “Saw you two having a ‘conversation’ earlier. You looked angry or frustrated. I thought about coming over, but Tom stepped in and, shall we say, defused the situation.”
“You could say that.” Cassie bounced a small ball toward Daniel, while Jenna placed all the stuffed animals into a pile. “What did Cam say?”
“He asked me how long you and Tom were ‘exclusive.’”
Cassie caught the speculative look in her aunt’s expression. “You know there’s nothing to that. Tom’s like a brother.” She tried to stifle a sigh.
“You’d like something more than friendship?” The corners of Lauren’s mouth twitched.
“Doesn’t matter, Lauren. Nothing will happen.”
Lauren raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t see his expression when he spoke to Cam…looked like he feels more than friendship. Just saying.”
“He probably thinks of me as a kid.”
Lauren hugged her before she stood. “Maybe not. He has Cam believing you two are more than friends. If you like him, be open to the possibilities. Maybe flirt a little?”
Cassie tossed a ball at her when she headed for the door. In my dreams…
Despite what she said to her aunt, Cassie floated on a cloud the rest of the day. The memory of Tom’s hand pressed against her lower back, and that unexpected kiss—even if it was just on the forehead—held her aloft. She’d never had someone act protective on her behalf—even though she knew Tom had slipped into a big brother role. It’s just the way he makes me feel…safe…I can handle Cam—but I love that my doc delivered the message for me.
She could still feel the heat of Tom’s hand and the little electrical surges that had pulsed through her body. Sometimes she thought she saw something in his eyes that hinted at more than friendship…and those kisses that left her wishing the roadblocks didn’t exist. Despite what Lauren said, Cassie knew that anything beyond friendship wasn’t possible…or probable.
29
Andrew’s hypothetical comment replayed on a loop in Tom’s mind. Did he and/or Caryn notice my attraction to Cassie? Or did that comment stem from my face-off with Camden? Maybe not as subtle as I thought. Objections or not, Andrew’s “blessing” didn’t address his own reservations about getting involved with Cassie beyond the “friendship” they now maintained. Though we’ve already strayed beyond strict friendship…can’t put a label on this. I don’t see her as a friend. I look at her differently than Lauren, Kelly, or Terri. They’ve never played a role in my fantasies, but Cassie—a frequent visitor. He thought she shared some of the same feelings, but she’d voiced the same reservations he had about acting on their mutual attraction.
He smiled when he thought about her feisty attitude. She could handle Cam on her
own, no doubt about that. But when he grabbed her arm, I reacted without thinking. Camden gets under my skin with all that cockiness and little respect for women. He’s not the only “player” on the team—not by a long shot—so, why should I let him push my buttons? Because it involves Cassie? Absolutely.
Deciding exercise might clear his brain, Tom changed into his swim trunks and grabbed a towel. Forty-five minutes, or even an hour swimming laps…an excellent place to start.
The twins crashed earlier than usual after the full day’s activities, and Cassie brought her iPad to the pool deck. Time for a fun romantic comedy…jump into another world. No more obsessing about what Lauren said, Cam’s annoying persistence, or Tom’s actions. I can’t read anything into that other than Tom acted as a friend, a gentleman. But just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.
She settled comfortably on the chaise lounge and placed her water bottle on the table beside her. Within minutes, the story completely drew her into its world. The awkward heroine and the clueless sexy, hot hero had her flipping pages on her iPad. She didn’t notice anyone’s presence beside her until Tom’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Good book?”
“Tom, I didn’t hear you come out here.” Cassie pressed the digital bookmark and set the tablet beside her. She nodded at his swim trunks. “Planning to work off your Thanksgiving feast?”
“I need to. Hey, I hope I didn’t overstep things during your ‘encounter’ with Mr. Camden today. I don’t want to imply you can’t handle him or need help.”
Without thinking, Cassie placed her hand on his arm. She caught the questioning look in his darkened, cinnamon eyes, plus something else she couldn’t decipher.
“You kept me from making a scene. That means a lot to me—I would have embarrassed myself in front of many people when I slapped him.” She watched the relieved smile cross his face. “I kind of enjoyed that a knight in shining armor had my back.”
“When he grabbed your arm, I didn’t think…just reacted. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
Cassie laughed. “The only one you made uncomfortable was Cam—I hope! I’m fine, truly. Thanks for a timely assist.”
“I’d say anytime, but I hope that guy gets his act together.”
Cassie watched as Tom looked at the pool and stood. He glanced at her before walking toward it. “Would you be interested in going out some night when we’re both free? Dinner, a movie, something fun?”
“I’d love to.” Cassie suppressed her excitement and eagerness. “You mean, like a…”
“Like a date, yes,” Tom finished her thought. “I’d enjoy sharing some of my favorite places in Tampa with you.” Cassie saw the corners of his mouth quirk in a smile. “Do I need to clear this with Lauren?”
Cassie shook her head with a chuckle. “I’m an adult. Besides, I don’t think Lauren will have any objections.”
Although their schedules hadn’t meshed, Tom and Cassie began exchanging texts several times a day. Cassie looked forward to her phone pinging…nothing earth-shaking, just questions about her day and sharing bits and pieces of his. Then they started playing twenty-questions, such as favorite song, Marvel or DC, Star Wars or Star Trek, favorite all-time book, Top Chef or British Baking Show, Fixer Upper or Property Brothers, Disney Plus or Apple TV+.
Random text questions arrived at free moments, and they’d compare answers. Cassie learned so much more about Tom through this game. They’d agreed that nothing was off-limits, but Tom had yet to pose a question that Cassie was reluctant to answer. Rather than bombard him with questions, Cassie started a list on her iPad, adding to it whenever a thought crossed her mind.
Finally, the stars aligned after the twins’ first birthday party. Just a small group of friends gathered for a quiet celebration. Kelly and John, Terri and Steve, Lauren and Dave, Tom, and the proud parents reminisced about the surprise birth six weeks before Caryn’s due date. Caryn and Andrew had hoped that the mandated bed rest, first at home then at the hospital, would successfully postpone labor until the thirty-sixth or thirty-seventh week. The twins stubbornly refused to go along with the plan and entered the world at thirty-four weeks.
Although they joked about it now, Cassie imagined Caryn experiencing premature labor—so frightening. She and Andrew then learned the babies needed delivery via C-Section because Caryn’s blood pressure had spiked. Cassie didn’t know both babies had spent a week in the NICU or that while Jenna weighed only five pounds, Daniel was a tiny four pounds, six ounces. Not that anyone would believe that a year later. Danny outweighed his sister, and his height had reached the ninetieth percentile.
Everyone shared baby pictures, including many Cassie had not yet seen. She held a photo taken in the NICU the day they were born, then leaned toward Tom so he could see it. “They were so tiny.”
“Tiny, but both had great lungs. That was the biggest fear—that their lungs might not be ready to function on their own.” He met Cassie’s eyes. “Lung function and capacity has never presented a problem.”
On cue, Daniel squawked loudly, followed a second later by Jenna.
“Time for some birthday cake?” Andrew asked Caryn.
“Sure, I’ll get it.” Caryn passed Jenna to Kelly’s arms. “We can sit in the sunroom.”
Cassie stood. “I’ll help you.”
Two small cakes, decorated with bright balloons and a family-sized sheet cake coordinated with the paper plates and napkins. “I need to enjoy every minute of this,” Caryn commented. “In a couple years, we’ll be entertaining playgroup friends.”
Andrew had moved the highchairs near the table, and Caryn placed the small cakes in front of each. She and Andrew had followed the Chadwick family tradition and let the one-year-olds self-serve their cake. Cassie had seen the photos of young Andrew and Tom covered in cake, both sporting delighted expressions. Andrew had covered the floor beneath the highchairs with a drop cloth and joked that the twins could rinse off in the pool afterward.
Cassie had Caryn’s camera and stood aside as everyone took seats around the table. Tom caught her eye and nodded toward the seat beside him. That simple gesture warmed her heart. They had yet to enjoy an evening together—still, Cassie soaked up all the affectionate gestures, private comments, and thoughtful actions. No one noticed—or if they did, said anything. She wanted to enjoy every second of this party, but she couldn’t wait for their evening together.
30
Tom mentioned their plans for the evening to Caryn and Andrew, to avoid any awkwardness when he and Cassie left for dinner. He suggested she dress casually, as he hoped they could walk on the beach following dinner.
“Tell me you’re not on call,” Andrew commented when Tom wandered into the kitchen. Although the twins had crashed early after the day’s excitement, Andrew and Caryn were still finding pieces of cake and icing as far away as the kitchen.
“Back-up to the back-up.” Tom tried to suppress a smile. “Which one has the pitching arm? My bet’s on Jenna.”
Caryn shook her head. “That didn’t go exactly as planned. Just wait until your parents see the photos. They out-did both of you mashing their cakes.” Tom saw her cut her eyes toward Andrew, taking in his not-so-disguised smirk.
“At least the icing complemented my highlights today,” Cassie said as she came up behind them. Tom sensed nervousness behind the bright smile and reached for her hand.
“You’re such a good sport,” Caryn said. “That was above and beyond, letting them smear cake and icing on your face.”
“I just hope I didn’t miss any remnants.” She laughed when Tom pretended to check her hair.
“You’re good. And you look gorgeous,” Tom added, taking in the skinny jeans and a camisole top under a robin’s egg blue shirt. He watched the color rise in her cheeks, even as she replied, “You clean up very well, too, doctor.”
Tom offered Cassie his arm. “Don’t wait up for us.”
“Like there’s a chance we could,” Andrew retorted. �
�As soon as we remove all cake residue—hopefully in the not-too-distant future—sleep is calling.”
“I’ll help double-check tomorrow,” Cassie promised.
“No, you won’t,” Caryn said, her voice stern. “You have a great time. You both earned it.”
“That was relatively painless,” Cassie said as Tom opened the car door for her. “Did you tell them about our plans?”
“I mentioned something about it.” She watched as a smile hinted at the corners of his mouth. “Neither seemed surprised nor had any objections.”
Cassie watched as he walked around to the other door. The black polo shirt hugged his body in all the right places. She’d seen him in swim trunks and frequently had appreciated his six-or-eight-pack abs, broad shoulders, and the chest she knew was rock-solid. But the shirt sleeves only accented his biceps in a way that made her heart beat a little faster—but not as rapidly as it raced whenever he touched her.
“Do you enjoy seafood? Any allergies?” Tom asked as they drove toward town.
“Yes, I love seafood and no allergies I know of. If I discover a new allergy, what better than being with my personal physician?”
“Let’s hope you don’t,” Tom said with a laugh. “No trips to the ER tonight, please.”
Cassie felt relaxed with Tom. Because we know each other so well? Friends first? And I thought I’d find a hot hockey player like Dave in Tampa…total bust. But crushing on a doctor? Never in my wildest imagination…Though I know I’d like Tom, no matter his career. No pretenses or cocky ego like some people. Just a down-to-earth, genuinely nice person…who checks every box on my “perfect guy” list.
“What are your plans for Christmas?” Cassie asked as they passed several houses already decorated for the holidays. “Going home like Andrew and Caryn?”