When Vicki came along, Jane was horrified. She was the polar opposite to Cassie, and she had been very vocal about how much she disliked her. As a result, Patrick dug in his heels and stayed with Vicki longer than he should have. By the end, he saw her for what she was. When Cassie broke up with Patrick, Jane felt it almost as much as he had. Not that she would admit it.
Patrick knew his mother was right. Cassie was an old dream, one he had to move on from, and there were a lot of cars like the one she drove. It was probably just wishful thinking.
He tried to get back into Melissa’s bed, just for the comfort she brought, but she didn’t want any part of him now. He couldn’t blame her.
After working his way through his degree, he went on to work at the hospital, finding a friend and mentor in Ethan Stone. The man was twenty years older than him and took the young doctor under his wing.
Patrick thrived under the guidance of the older surgeon whose speciality was cosmetic surgery, and he decided to follow in his mentor’s footsteps, which delighted Ethan. He had two daughters who showed no interest in pursuing their father’s profession and Patrick became almost like a son to him.
Bethany Stone was sitting outside the hospital waiting when he came out. She had been introduced to Patrick by her father in passing and Patrick had been careful not to be caught looking her over. It was hard not to, she had long brown hair and legs that seemed to go on forever.
Patrick had got through the introduction by paying as much attention to Ethan as much as possible. If Ethan noticed anything, he never said a word. He wanted a cold shower afterwards when she glanced over her shoulder as she left, shooting him a look that told him exactly what she wanted.
He still thought of Cassie sometimes but taking women home to screw dulled the pain over time. Bethany would fit the bill nicely though he felt some guilt about her father. Ethan trusted him, finding him a role in a private clinic when he was ready, and he doubted Ethan would approve of Patrick and his daughter. At least not like this.
They had gone straight from the hospital to his place, and Patrick was currently screwing Bethany against the wall. “Harder,” she cried out, “I knew you’d be good at this.”
Patrick laughed. “How?”
“You look as if you know what you’re doing.”
He grinned, thinking of the first and only time with Cassie. They had no clue what they were doing. If only he could show her all he’d learned now, he was sure she would be impressed..
As he pumped in and out of her, he used all the energy he didn’t use on rugby anymore. Keeping fit was easy but with his work schedule it was hard to find the time for any other hobbies.
“Do you ever stop?” he asked, laughing at her enthusiasm.
“Not often.” She threw her head back, her hair flying as she pushed back against him.
“Shit that was good,” he said.
Afterwards, they dressed, and he made coffee while she sat on the end of his bed. “Don’t you dare tell Dad about this.”
“You don’t want him to find out about us?”
“Well there’s not really an 'us', but I’ll come back and screw with you again some other time.”
Patrick grinned. “I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”
She was the complete opposite to Cassie and he felt guilty for hiding it from Ethan. The man was really helping Patrick’s progress and his career definitely benefited from their friendship. But every time Bethany turned up at his place horny and half naked, he couldn’t resist the temptation. She complained she wanted attention, with her parents divorced Ethan had thrown himself into work and she said she felt neglected.
He felt guilty. It could never be anything more, she just wasn’t his type when they weren’t having sex. Somehow it worked though, and they started seeing each other on a regular basis though sex dominated their relationship. A real conversation was just too hard as her interests were nothing like his. After three months, he decided to see where they stood.
“We need to talk,” he said one evening in bed.
“What about?”
“Us.”
Bethany laughed. “What about us? I’ve got to get going, Patrick, what’s this about?”
“I just thought it was time we started seeing each other properly instead of just having sex.”
She laughed again. “You’ve got to be kidding, Patrick, we can’t do that.”
“Why not? I mean we’re not incompatible, we just need more time together to get to know each other properly.”
Now she just looked confused. “If you’re worried about your father, I’ll explain everything to him. Well, not everything considering what we’ve been up to but that we have been seeing each other.”
“You can’t do that.” She sounded shocked and scared as if the thought terrified her.
“Why not?”
“For heaven’s sake, Patrick, hasn’t Daddy said anything?”
“About what?”
“About my wedding. We need to start cooling things off now, but I really do want to keep coming round here when I can.”
“You’re getting married?”
“My childhood sweetheart. I am so in love with him it hurts, I can’t wait to get married to him.”
“Bethany, if you have a fiance, why are you in bed with me?” he asked.
“I knew I’d have some fun, and I have. No reason for that to stop.”
“You have got to be kidding me. I’m not screwing someone else’s fiance or wife.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and buried his head in his hands.
“Well you have been. What’s the difference?”
“I want something that’s going to become meaningful, Bethany. Screwing around is fun but I want someone to love who will love me.”
She shrugged. “I can love parts of you.”
“Oh just get out. I won’t tell your father if you don’t.”
“Sounds fair to me. Call me if you change your mind.”
And just like that it was over. Patrick vowed not to let himself get close to anyone again. The heartache simply wasn’t worth it.
CHAPTER NINE
Cassie - Six years later…
“It’s not hard to work up a sweat in this damn class even if I am doing things the easy way,” Cassie grumbled, doing the last stretch in her yoga set.
Adam laughed. “That’s the whole point, Cassie. It would be easier if you could do the full range of exercises. Limited mobility makes it difficult.”
“Well if it were possible, I would go back in time and unbreak my back to make life easier now.”
“These things are sent to try us, Cassie. I think that’s probably enough for you for tonight though.”
“I’m pleased about that. I must say it’s very frustrating to take it so slowly. If anything it’s more of an effort.”
His dark eyes twinkled, and he grinned, exposing all those perfect teeth. “It is. I’m very proud of you, Cassie. You’re doing well.”
Her heart beat faster at the sparkle in his eye. “In fact there’s something I would like to ask you.”
“What?”
“I was wondering if you would like to go to the movies with me.”
Now her heart was pounding in her chest. “I… I would love to,” she squeaked.
“Excellent,” he said, those pearly whites showing again, “how about tomorrow?”
Thoughts of dating him still made smile the following morning. It felt like a new start.
“Sophie,” Cassie called. “It’s time to get up and get ready for school.”
“Aww Mum,” Sophie moaned, “I want to stay in bed.”
“Too bad young lady. I need to get to work, and if you’re not dressed in the next five minutes you’ll be going to school in your pyjamas.”
Sophie appeared in the doorway rubbing her eyes. Cassie handed her some clothes. “Come on, if you get these on I’ll get you a hot chocolate before we go.”
At that, Sophie grinned. “Thanks M
um, you’re the best.” She was dressed in the blink of an eye, and Cassie grinned as she poured the water for the hot chocolate.
“Bribery works well with you.”
“What does that mean?” Sophie asked.
Cassie laughed. “Nothing. Now drink up and we’ll get going. Mr Smedley has the builder coming today to go through the store renovations, so I have to be there for that.”
“Is it going to be different Mum?”
“Not too much, it’s just a bit of sprucing up really. Making the place nice.”
Sophie nodded. “We should do the same to this place too, Mum.”
“You’re right, Soph, I haven’t done anything as I thought things should stay as Grandma liked them, but I really need to get that retaining wall checked and the exterior of the house. If this guy does good work in the store, I can get him in here to take a look.”
Her grandmother had died the previous year leaving everything to Cassie as her sole surviving relative. Losing her had left a hole in Cassie’s life that nothing would fill, but it was easing every day. She had helped Cassie raise Sophie, and now it was just the two of them.
“We should get going Miss.” Cassie stood up and grabbed her bag. Sophie did the same. She was the spitting image of Cassie except her eyes were blue like her father. It was clear Sophie would be tall like him too, enough of a reminder that she’d never completely shaken Patrick from her thoughts but also never told him of Sophie’s existence. Sophie had never asked, so Cassie had let things lie, but she knew the time would come when she would have to tell Sophie the truth and every day brought that moment closer.
By the time Cassie got to the store, there were a few of the staff waiting outside for her. When she let them in, there was excited murmuring over the renovations. Cassie had convinced Mr Smedley to update the look of the store after so long and everyone was excited about it.
It was mid morning before the builder arrived, and Cassie was summoned to the middle of the store to meet him.
“This is Mark Burrows,” Mr Smedley said, “he’ll be working on the changes we talked about in the store.”
Cassie guessed he was maybe ten years older than her, perhaps mid thirties. He was tall and well built, clearly spending a lot of time doing physical work. Typical tall, dark and handsome, but rugged.
“Cassie Warren.” She extended her hand towards him.
He took her hand and held it for just a moment before shaking it. His hands were rough and calloused but surprisingly gentle.
“My pleasure,” he said. His voice was deep, with a rich timbre that had a surprising affect on her.
Her heart fluttered a bit at that, and she swallowed it back. “You have spent so long waiting for that date with Adam, don’t screw it up now,” she thought to herself.
“Just let me know if there’s anything you need, I’ve told the other staff that there might be some disruption, so we’re all prepared.”
“That’s my girl. Best store manager I could have ever appointed,” Mr Smedley said proudly.
“I try my best.” She smiled at Mark. “Just don’t take any cheek from those girls, if they get too much tell me. I know what they can be like.”
“I think I can handle it.” He laughed.
As they walked around the store with Mr Smedley showing Mark what work they needed, Mark was more interested in watching Cassie. He loved how her green eyes sparkled when she talked. Her long auburn hair hung down her back, it was straight with a slight hint of curl, and he guessed that let loose it would be curly and soft to the touch.
“Is that all achievable?” asked Mr Smedley.
“Oh, uh that all sounds good. If you could detail it in writing for me, I can finalise the pricing, and we’ll be good to go.”
Mr Smedley grinned. Cassie was completely oblivious to the way Mark was looking at her. He wasn't. “That’s fine, I’ll get that done this afternoon along with anything else Cassie can think of. I won’t be around so she’ll be the one you need to talk to if you need anything or if anything has to change.”
“Of course.” He couldn’t think of anything better right now than being told what to do by the gorgeous redhead. She had curves in all the right places, and he’d take any opportunity to get to know her better.
The staff room was full of chatter when Cassie took him in to introduce him to the workers. As she introduced him, the women were getting excited, most of the staff were female so having a new man around would get them talking. Especially one who looked like him.
“I will see you bright and early tomorrow,” said Mark after he’d delayed leaving as long as possible.
“That’ll be great. If you need anywhere to store things there’s plenty of room out the back,” Cassie said.
“I hope you’ll be satisfied with my work.”
“I’m sure we will.”
Mark struggled to come up with anything else to say, so shook her hand and left. “Don’t lose your cool,” he murmured to himself.
Cassie finished closing up the store before jumping in her car to go home and get ready for her first date with Adam.
“Did you have a good day, Mum?” asked Sophie. At six, she was sharp as a tack and Cassie was so proud of her daughter.
“Not too bad,” Cassie replied, “how was school?”
“It was fun, we spent some time in the library. I brought home a book to read and I’d really like if you would read with me.”
“When do you have to take it back love?”
“Next week.”
“No problem. I’m going out tonight so Caitlin can read it to you. We can read it again together before you need to take it back.”
“Caitlin’s baby sitting?”
“Well you are no baby, but yes she is taking care of you tonight.”
“Where are you going?” Sophie asked.
“I’m going to a movie with someone,” Cassie replied.
“Who? Is it a boy?”
Cassie laughed. “Yes it is a boy, Miss Nosey. Now be good for Caitlin this evening.”
There was a knock on the door and Cassie went to answer it. Caitlin was from further down the road, and she’d taken care of Sophie before so Cassie knew she could trust her. In some ways Caitlin reminded Cassie of herself, she was a studious girl who kept to herself and Cassie knew she would spend the evening studying or reading.
“Hi, Caitlin, Sophie is just in here. I’ll get her ready for bed before I go and then you can have the place to yourself. Sophie knows to go to bed at 7.30, and you know the rest of the drill.”
“Thanks, Miss Warren, I promise we’ll have a quiet night.”
“I know I can rely on you, Caitlin, that’s why I ask you to take care of Sophie.”
“Where are you going tonight?” she asked.
“Just to go and see a movie. It’s the first date I’ve been on since before Sophie was born, so it should be low stress.”
Caitlin laughed. “Well have fun and don’t worry about Sophie.”
“I won’t be too late,” she said as she headed out the door. She was meeting Adam at the movie theatre and wasn’t planning on drinking so drove to her date.
He was waiting outside. “Cassie, you are lovely.”
She blushed. “Thank you, you’re not so bad yourself.”
“Shall we?” he asked, leading her inside where they got tickets. Cassie’s stomach was twisting due to nerves, so she opted to get a drink.
Adam didn’t make a move the whole night and Cassie finally relaxed and enjoyed the movie. Even at the end of it, he kissed her on the cheek and asked if she would go out with him again before leaving her at her car.
“Sure, that would be great.”
“We’ll go somewhere nice next time, go out for dinner properly.”
She grinned. “I’d like that.”
Their first date over, she felt happy to be easing into dating again. As she drove home, her mood was that much lighter.
For the next few yoga classes, he flirted but m
ade no firm plans. Still, she was growing to like him more and more, and he seemed to like her too. It made her days go faster while she waited to go out with him again.
Cassie moved through the store until she stood under Mark’s ladder. “Mark,” she called out, “can I have a word?”
“You can have as many words as you like.” He’d been working inside the store for three weeks now and flirting with the gorgeous redhead as much as he thought he’d get away with.
“I’ve had a complaint from a customer about you.”
His face fell. About what?”
“She says you were peering into the changing rooms while she was trying something on.”
Mark looked across the store, and swore under his breath when he realised he had full visibility into the ladies changing rooms.
“Oh crap, Cassie, I wasn’t, but I can see how someone might think that. I’m so sorry.”
“Can we sort something out so you can’t see into the changing rooms?”
“I’ll grab a bit of plywood or something to put over the top, it’ll make them a bit dark for a while though.”
“Sounds good.”
He climbed down the ladder where she stood at the base, arms crossed, with one eyebrow raised.
“Cassie, I swear I wasn’t looking at her. Whatever she thinks.”
Mark was getting flustered now and didn’t see the smirk slowly creeping across Cassie’s face. “I’m so, so sorry, Cassie. I’ll apologise to the customer if you want me to, explain that I wasn’t looking.”
Cassie stifled a laugh. “What’s funny?”
Her shoulders shook, laughter erupting from her. Mark was mystified as to why she was now howling with laughter. “Cassie?”
She was crying from laughing so hard.
“There was no complaint was there?” he asked.
“No,” she said in a squeak he barely heard.
“You’re pulling my leg?”
She nodded, unable to speak or even breathe from laughing.
Another Chance Page 6