After the Night (Romance for all Seasons Book 1)

by Sandra Marie

  “Yep. You ready for happy hour?” Shellie kept a bottle of schnapps in one of her locked desk drawers.

  “Maybe after we find the missing funds for Dr. Bateman.”

  Shellie groaned over the line. “All right. Get in here. Bring food.”

  Cassidy grabbed her purse, her stack of Dr. Bateman’s month full of patient bills, and gave the Chinese place down the street a call for delivery, then called down to Dan at security to keep the doors open.

  “Did you order me any?” Dan teased over the phone. A jolt ran up Cassidy’s spine. Could Dan be Westley? He had the smile for it, his voice was deep and friendly, and he was known to be a bit of a joker. He was probably the same height, same build… then again, most of the men in the building were. How could her masked man be so average in all aspects, yet so unique and perfect and… sigh…

  “I-I did,” she said, shuffling her papers so they didn’t topple to the floor.

  “Really? I was kidding.”

  “You like the sesame and lo mein.”

  “Cassidy, you may be my favorite person in the world.”

  Yeah… it could definitely be him. Panic settled in her chest, and her water bottle tumbled out of her hands and exploded on the carpeted floor.

  “Uh, huh, yeah… okay…” she stuttered before dropping her phone, too. She tossed her head back and growled at the ceiling. A full belly laugh came from down the hall.

  “I should’ve known to come to you,” Shellie said, eyeing the mess around Cassidy’s feet, the water spray up her pant legs. “You’re a disaster.”

  “Help?” she said, adjusting the folders so they didn’t join the water on the floor. Shellie quickly ran up and took the entire pile with ease. She clacked back to her office in six-inchers, and Cassidy snatched up her phone, cursing her best friend for being so good on her feet.

  “Okay, so I’m thinking this whole thing started when we switched to the new system,” Shellie said, getting right down to business as soon as Cassidy closed them up in her office. Shellie put the files in the only open spot on her unorganized mess of a desk, and Cassidy slumped into the seat usually reserved for patients. “Could be user error or on purpose. Let’s pray it’s only user error.”

  “With those two girls?” Cassidy said, pointing in the general direction of the billing offices. “I’d bet ten thousand dollars that they didn’t pay attention during training.”

  Shellie snorted, nodding with wide eyes as she clicked away on her computer. Cassidy rubbed her temples, resting her elbows on her knees. Her head was spinning round and round, with Dr. Bateman wanting to talk with her and with Dan possibly being Westley. Oh shoot… she was going to have to pass him every time she walked through the main doors.

  A loud thunk brought her attention up, and Shellie tapped the large glass bottle of peach schnapps with her fingernail. “You sure you don’t want this? You look like you need it.”

  “Still on the clock.”

  “Let’s break till the food gets here.” Shellie clocked them both out and poured. “What’s going on?”

  Cassidy toyed with her glass, not in the mood to drink. “Having a day.”

  “Does your mood have anything to do with the Dread Pirate Roberts?” A glint appeared in her friend’s eye, and Cassidy let out an exasperated laugh.

  “Yes,” she groaned. “Every time I’ve run into a man today… I’ve thought, oh my gosh, it’s him. I can’t function, can’t concentrate… I’ll go to talk about it, but then think, what if I’m wrong? And then how awkward will it be to admit I never knew who he was? Seriously, I keep waiting for him to come to me, but he hasn’t. Did I imagine everything?”

  “I’ve had some pretty intense sex dreams while drunk,” Shellie said, “but I know most of the party saw you stumble in half-blind with your boobs and dress askew around midnight.”

  “Kill me.”

  Shellie laughed. “Oh, come on. That’s hardly the most scandalous thing someone’s done in this office. So you made out with a guy you didn’t know. I’ve slept with men I didn’t know.”

  She wrinkled her nose, but had to admit, “Yeah, that helps a little.”

  “I do what I can.” Shellie tossed back her drink and kept the bottle near her monitor next to a pile of mail she had yet to open. “If you really want to find out who he is, why not just ask around? See who dressed up as Westley.”

  Cassidy shifted in her seat. The thought had crossed her mind, but she was not exactly thrilled with the idea. She’d already embarrassed herself enough; if Westley discovered that she really had no clue who he was, especially since he’d taken his mask off as she walked away, she’d be mortified.

  She shook her head. “Hard pass.”

  “Don’t you like him?”

  She thought about his laugh, how they’d bonded over getting yelled at by a female Groot, his hands on her neck, his careful touch when he helped her out of her contacts. Yes, the kissing was good—fantastic, mind-bending, out-of-this-world—but she never would’ve even gotten in the backseat if she hadn’t felt that tug to something more with him.

  “Totally like him,” she admitted. “I’m close to naming our children.”

  “Ha!” Shellie’s eyes drifted to her computer, and Cassidy admired her ability to work and drink and have a personal conversation at the same time. Cassidy could barely focus on one thing and do it at maximum capacity. “Well, if you won’t ask around, date around.”

  “Huh?”

  “Find a guy you’re pretty sure is Mr. Princess Bride and ask him out. It’s bound to come up at some point during the date.”

  That actually wasn’t a bad idea. A smile tugged on her lips, and she sat a little straighter. Maybe after she was sure who he was, she could explain her abrupt exit.

  Shellie hummed under her breath, tilting her head and tapping her nails against her cluttered desk. Cassidy dug through the plastic cauldron of dwindling Halloween candy that Shellie said she’d bought way too early.

  “What?” Cassidy asked, craning her neck to see the computer screen. “Did you find more missing money?”

  Shellie shook her head. “What do you remember about him?”

  Cassidy’s brows pinched inward. “About Westley?”

  “Mmmhmm.” Shellie pushed papers around her desk, searching for something. A pen, most likely. “Eye color, skin color, facial hair… Did he have big hands? A missing tooth? A face tattoo?”

  “Oh! He has a tattoo on his shoulder blade.” Warmth spread through her cheeks as Shellie stopped everything just to tilt an eyebrow at her. “I didn’t get his shirt off,” Cassidy mumbled. “We just… I spotted it when I was…”

  She made a weird rocking gesture with her hand that only made things worse. Shellie pressed her lips together, holding back laughter while Cassidy covered her reddening face.

  “You were that close and still couldn’t see who he was?” Shellie said, appalled. “You really are blind.”

  “I was distracted! And my eyes were closed during most of the—” She made the rocking gesture again.

  “Knock, knock,” Dan said, rapping his knuckles against the wood. The door clicked open, and he peered his head in. “I bring treasure for the beautiful numbers gals.”

  “My savior!” Shellie teased, shoving a space free on her desk. Cassidy awkwardly grinned as Dan’s green eyes met hers.

  Green eyes.

  Nice smile.

  Totally goofy.

  “Hey, Dan,” Cassidy blurted as he set the food down, trying to get a good look at his hands and see if they seemed familiar. “Got any plans tonight?”

  Jon was not crazy. He was only hovering by the door to the office because he had nothing better to do. It was definitely not because he was waiting for Cassidy. Not at all because he’d thought about her all day, run through what he was going to say a million and a half times, or because he wanted to invite her out for a bite. The security guy had nearly knocked his nose in when he’d come in about a half hour ago, carrying what
smelled suspiciously like Kung Pao chicken.

  Did Cassidy like Chinese? Because he had a real hankering.

  He checked the time on his Fitbit, his steps up by 700 from pacing by the door. He couldn’t have missed her, could he?

  He fiddled with the jar of pink pens at reception, plucking one out of about fifty and clicking it silly. Seemed like a good one; he scribbled on the back of one of his business cards sitting up on the desk, the lettering printed on the side gleaming his name. Dr. Jon Bateman, OBGYN. He still wasn’t used to seeing such an official title next to his ordinary name.

  A flash of movement caught his eye, and he glared at the evil fish swimming back and forth in the tank behind reception. The thing was contemplating every one of their deaths, he just knew it.

  “Still here, Doc?”

  Jon flicked his gaze up, tucking the pen into his pocket. He gave the security guy barely a glance before his eyes were drawn to the woman beside him. Cassidy wore a nervous smile as she slipped into a blue and red Wonder Woman jacket. Her glasses knocked askew when she flipped her ponytail free.

  “Waiting for you, actually,” Jon said, nodding to her. “You have a second?”

  His heart was a thunderstorm, and he jammed his hands into his pockets to avoid the shaking. He had it down—the speech. He’d polished his soap box, and he had an answer ready for every excuse she could possibly throw at him. He was her boss? Not really… the billing manager was her boss. The age difference? Not a problem… He acted much younger than he was anyway. Did he see vaginas all day? Yeah… but half the time, babies were coming out of them. Hardly a sexual experience.

  Cassidy didn’t seem the type to worry or care about that particular part of his job, but he’d been burned once or fifty times before because of it.

  “Oh, I’m… we’re heading out.” She wiggled her thumb between herself and the security guy. “But Shellie’s in her office. She thinks she knows where that money is. Well, not where it is, but where it’s probably going.”

  Wow, that was a lot of information at once, and Jon wasn’t sure which part to focus on. He was getting whiplash from her lack of interest in talking with him about the party. Had it not been as big a deal as he’d thought?

  “Okay, cool…” He hadn’t said cool in about ten years. “Uh… where you guys going?”

  It was none of his business. They both reserved the right to tell him as much, but the security guy smiled through a set of nearly perfect teeth and lifted his shoulders, glancing at Cassidy.

  “Get a drink or two. Catch a movie, maybe. Get into some shenanigans.”

  She nodded, an excited laugh floating from her lips. Dread and disappointment flooded him. They were sharing secret, playful glances that only a couple going out on an official date would—glances he’d been pretty damn sure they’d shared not three days ago.

  “Awesome.” He choked on the word. “That’s just…” Awful. Disappointing. Gut-wrenching. Time for a drink. “…great. Have a good time.”

  He stepped out of their way, speedily making an exit. Stupid, he was so stupid.

  “Uh, Dr. Bateman?” Ugh, how formal. She was definitely not interested. “Shellie’s office is that way.”

  “Right, right.” So stupid. He let out an awkward laugh at himself and changed direction. “Monday brain.”

  She was going out on a Monday. He could’ve sworn she’d implied she wasn’t a dating around type, but she never did outright say it. He felt like an idiot.

  Of course she was dating around. She was young, attractive, just out of college… completely off the radar of connecting, settling…

  His feet fell heavy against the floor, his pace dragging as his thoughts pulled his spirit in a downward spiral.

  Maybe the conversation he’d rehearsed didn’t need to happen. Hadn’t been the first time he’d read more into a date than what it was. She’d been aloof all day, and he was just one of many.

  ***

  “Is this a kissing book?” little Fred Savage groaned on the TV. Jon nodded, stuffing his mouth full of Milk Dud popcorn mix.

  “Hell yeah, it’s a kissing book, little Freddie.” He frowned, a kernel tumbling down his chin. “It’s the best kissing book ever written.”

  Shit, he was a wreck, and he didn’t even have alcohol to blame it on. Drinking never agreed with his schedule, and even though he wanted to chug a six pack down the second he got home, he reminded himself how sued he’d get if he delivered babies wreaking of booze.

  He praised his past self for buying Halloween candy so early. The Princess Bride was at the top of his movie collection, and because he wasn’t upset enough, apparently, he’d fired it up. It wasn’t ten minutes into the movie, and he was ready to either toss his bowl of chocolate covered popcorn at his seventy inch or curl into a ball with it and rock himself to sleep.

  He was ridiculous. It’d been what? Four hours of his life?

  Four amazing hours.

  His fingers fumbled for the afghan Gammy had given him when he moved to the city. Ah, good ol’ Gammy. He needed to give her a call and thank her for this heaven sent crocheted wonder that he immediately burrowed in with his popcorn and Milk Duds.

  He was never gonna make it to the end of the movie, to that kiss, without thinking about how Cassidy’s kiss had been just as epic.

  Right as Fezzik asked if anybody wanted a peanut, a rap came at his front door, followed by the distinct sounds of Thomas and Rae arguing as they invited themselves in.

  “You’ve done it.” Rae’s voice floated down the hall. “You’ve officially out-stupided yourself.”

  Jon quickly tossed off the blanket and wiped his shirt free of popcorn. He sprawled out, trying to look relaxed and happy, and not like he was just rocking back and forth over how Cassidy had killed it in that red dress.

  Thomas came into the room first, a bright blue cast plastered on his arm. There wasn’t a space left on it that hadn’t been Sharpied.

  Rae followed behind, slipping her jacket down her arms. “Jon, tell your cousin he’s an idiot.”

  Thomas slumped onto the couch, popcorn crumbs jumping off the cushion. “Did you just use the word stupided?” He grinned at Rae, shoving some of Jon’s popcorn into his huge mouth. Rae walked a wide berth around him and sat down next to Jon.

  “He wants to go hoverboarding.”

  Jon shook his head at Thomas. “If you want a matching cast, I could pull some strings.”

  Thomas held his casted arm up, curling all his fingers down over it… except one. Jon snatched his popcorn bowl back.

  “This part always freaked me out,” Rae said, leaning into the sectional and picking out the Milk Duds from his bowl. “Those eels starred in many of my nightmares.”

  “Wouldn’t any dream you had be a nightmare?” Thomas said. “Since you’re the one starring in them?”

  She wrinkled her nose and chucked a Milk Dud at his face. Apparently, they were going to make themselves at home. Didn’t they realize Jon was having so much fun wallowing in self-doubt?

  “So… what’re you guys doing here?”

  Thomas nodded toward Rae. “She insisted a doctor talk some sense into me.”

  “Like I can stop you.”

  Thomas had broken probably every bone in his body at some point. If he wanted to hoverboard, he was going to damn well do it.

  “That was her excuse.” Thomas grabbed the Milk Dud Rae’d thrown at him and popped it into his mouth. “She was trying to get out of setting up that app, and your house just happened to be on the way to the hoverboard shop I wanted to check out.”

  “Genius over there wants me to go on Hook Me Up.” Rae slumped farther into the cushion, keeping her eyes on the TV. “Like I need more dick pics.”

  “It’s not Hook Me Up. It’s much classier than that.”

  She snorted so hard popcorn shot from her mouth. “An actual dating app and not a hook-up finder. That’ll be the day.”

  “Swear it!” Thomas shouted, and Jon sunk into t
he cushion, wondering if they’d notice if he left. “Avocado Vince’s roommate found his wife on there.”

  “Oh, well if Avocado Vince says it’s legit, I’m sold!”

  A chuckle rumbled up Jon’s throat, and their attentions were finally drawn to him. Rae reached over with her foot and poked his thigh with her big toe.

  “You’re single.”

  “Much to my family’s embarrassment.”

  She waved her hand out. “So you get it. This constant hounding to ‘get out there!’ and ‘find someone before we’re… god forbid… thirty.’ I’m fine being alone. Tell him, Jon. Being alone rocks.”

  Barbed wire wrapped around his throat, and he gazed into his nearly empty popcorn bowl, melted chocolate on his thumb, hole in his left sock. He was a mess alone. He much preferred being a mess with someone else.

  “What’s that app called?” he asked his cousin. A slow, victorious grin slid on Thomas’ face, and he looked at Rae and pointed a finger.

  “Ha! I win,” Thomas declared, ever the gentleman. Then he held his hand out for Jon’s phone. “Hand it over. I’ll set you up first, then her.”

  Rae tossed her hands in the air as Jon tossed his phone over. “I need more girl friends,” she muttered under her breath.

  Yeah, Jon thought as Westley untied Buttercup on the screen and helped her to her feet, me too.

  Cassidy flipped over her coaster, leaning on her hand and trying her best not to look as bored as she felt. She and Dan had walked through the city with nice conversation—not nearly as fun as the other night, but, hey, that didn’t mean anything—and he’d stopped her in front of this travel agency place and said he had a surprise. Next thing she knew she was in an hour and a half long seminar about timeshares, all for the promise of fifty bucks or a night away at the Marriott.

  Dear Thor, please send a bolt down right here and zap me away.

  Dan slid another brochure under her nose and nodded at Greg, the salesman with a can-do attitude, bright blue shirt, and sparkly name tag.