Cassie couldn’t remember ever being so grateful in her life. She didn’t know how he’d done it, but Eric managed to stop her from falling apart in the nick of time. She was in control enough to plaster a smile on her face before she swung the door open.
“Hey!” Cassie exclaimed. She and Steven embraced warmly for several seconds.
“Hey you,” he said, the sound muffled by her shirt.
They finally parted, smiling at one another. Cassie grabbed his hand. “Get in here.”
Steven and Ann came into the house, their focus on different things. Cassie glanced at Ann, who was undoubtedly criticizing everything from the lighting to Cassie’s choice in throw pillows. Cassie turned her attention back to Steven, who was still holding her hand.
“I’ve missed you.” She felt her eyes sting. Was she about to cry? Oh, hell no. She hadn’t expected to feel this surge of emotion at seeing him again. But it had been a year. A year of longing to see his face again. And here he was.
Steven grabbed her other hand. Now clasping them both in his own, he smiled at her again. “I’ve missed you, too.”
Ann cleared her throat.
They turned to her.
Cassie pressed her lips into something she hoped resembled a smile. “Oh, hi … ” Bitch. “Ann.”
“Well?”
Cassie raised her eyebrows.
“Get over here, you,” Ann said, pulling her in for a hug and air kisses. “I’ve missed you, too, you know.” She flicked her long, blonde hair over her shoulder and beamed at Cassie.
Cassie regarded her former friend for a moment. Tall, busty, and blonde. Cassie glanced at Eric. He was obviously appreciating Ann’s assets, the bastard. She looked at Ann, preparing to give her some cock and bull story about missing her, too, when she realized: Eric had caught Ann’s attention as well.
Steven squeezed her hands just then. Maybe this could work out better than expected. She gave him a warm, genuine smile.
“Introductions,” he whispered.
“Uh, Steven, this is Eric. Eric, this is Steven.”
“Eric?” Steven asked.
Stupid!
“Yeah, Joseph’s my middle name. No one really called me that except Cass, and I told her I hated it so … ”
Cassie was torn between wanting to slap him for calling her Cass and wanting to kiss him for saving her ass yet again. No, she didn’t even want to think about kissing him. “He’s always asked me to stop calling him that.” She shook her finger at him. “Big baby.”
Eric smiled. “That’s me.”
“I finally caved,” Cassie said.
Steven nodded. “And he calls you Cass?” He frowned.
“Yep,” Eric said, putting his arm around her, “this is my little Cass.”
Cassie smiled. His arm was really warm. It seemed to heat her to her very core.
“But you hate that name,” Ann said.
Cassie slid her arm around Eric’s waist. That was a mistake. She didn’t feel an ounce of flab on his solid frame, but, then, she hadn’t seen one either when he had been in nothing but his underwear.
“Uh,” Cassie said, “he’s the only one who can call me that.” She looked up at him, giving him an adoring smile.
Eric pulled her close and kissed her temple.
“Hmm,” Steven said. He stuck his hand out. “Let’s make it official.”
Eric shook his hand and they exchanged pleasantries. He then turned to Ann.
She fluffed her hair before holding out her hand to him. “It’s very nice to meet you, Eric.”
Cassie’s stomach turned. The woman was practically purring. She probably wanted to rub up against Eric like some cat marking its territory.
Eric gave her one of his slow, flirtatious smiles. “Pleasure’s mine.”
The pleasure could, indeed, be his if he gave Ann even half a chance. Cassie held tighter to Eric, pulling him closer to her side.
Ann smiled. “Let’s sit, shall we?” She walked over to the couch and sat down, crossing those irritatingly long legs of hers.
“Let’s,” Cassie said, pulling Eric to the love seat with her.
After Steven had a seat next to Ann, they all sat there looking at one another.
“So,” Ann said, “Eric. How did you two meet? I know Steven told me, but that was a while ago. I have wedding on the brain. Well, you know how that is.”
Cassie held her breath. Please remember.
“We met at an art museum.”
Cassie allowed herself to exhale.
Ann lifted a well-groomed brow. “Interesting.”
Eric sat back on the love seat, pulling Cassie back with him.
Her first instinct was to spring away, but she forced herself to relax against him. There she was, snuggled against his side while his arm still rested around her shoulders. It was all very cozy, she hated to admit.
He feels good. No. Fantastic. I can take a moment to relax and just enjoy.
“What do you do, Eric?” Steven asked.
Well, there went that moment.
“Right now I’m tending bar at one of the dives downtown.”
Steven managed to hide his surprise fairly well. Ann, on the other hand, had to close her mouth after it fell open.
“You’re a bartender,” Steven said.
“That’s right.”
Steven nodded.
Just leave it at that, please.
“But I drove a truck before that.”
He couldn’t do that, though, could he?
Cassie wanted to punch him in his family jewels. He looked down at her and smiled. She smiled back, if only at the fact he was completely clueless as to how close he was to bodily harm. “You have no idea what I want to do to your crotch right now.”
The room fell silent.
Come to me please, sweet death.
“Ooh,” Eric said in a sexy, low voice, “you dirty little girl.”
This time, it was Steven’s turn to have his mouth fall open. Ann had covered her own with her hand.
“Cassie,” Steven said, leaning forward, “did you say what I think you said?”
Cassie had to think fast. There was still time to salvage this.
“Yeah, she did.” Eric smiled. “Always wanting to get at my crotch, this one. She’s insatiable. It’s cool though because, well, so am I.”
Cassie saw Ann drag her bottom lip through her teeth. What a skank.
Eric ran his hand up and down Cassie’s thigh. “Baby, you’ll have full access to my crotch later, all right? We have guests right now.” He looked at Steven and Ann again. “God, I love this woman.”
Cassie sank down as far as she could go into the love seat. She wanted to scream.
“Wow, Cassie,” Ann said, tearing her eyes away from Eric, “you really have changed, haven’t you? I mean,” she looked her up and down, “look at you.”
“Amazing, isn’t it? She doesn’t have to be dolled up to be absolutely gorgeous,” Eric said.
Cassie no longer wanted to punch his junk.
Steven nodded. “She’s beautiful, as always.”
He and Cassie shared a long look and a smile.
“And the type of men you go for,” Ann continued, “that’s definitely changed.”
“That’s certainly the truth,” Steven said.
“Well, that’s not completely true,” Cassie said. “I only go for one man these days.” She placed her hand on Eric’s thigh and squeezed. Mistake.
“Touché,” Steven said. “But can you honestly say you ever saw yourself with a bartender?”
“Don’t forget truck driver,” Ann added.
“A truck driving bartender,” Steven said. He looked at Eric. “Who has tattoos.”
“Strange,” Ann said, regarding Eric. She tilted her head. “He’s just not your type at all.”
“I guess I am now,” Eric said with a flat voice, his body slightly tensing against Cassie’s.
She wanted to giggle. Tall, blonde, and busty was pissing him off.
Eric’s gaze moved to Steven. “And what is it that you do, Steve? Lawyer, doctor?”
“I’m a financial analyst.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“Well, not as exciting as tending bar, I imagine. There are rarely any drunken brawls at the bank.”
“Except at the holiday parties?”
Ann giggled.
Steven ignored them and turned to Cassie. “Where’s your ring?” At her confused look, he added, “Your engagement ring.”
Cassie waved the comment away. “Oh, I don’t — ”
“I haven’t bought it yet,” Eric said.
“Why not?” Steven asked, staring at him hard.
Eric didn’t avoid his gaze. He stared right back. “Not that it’s any of your business, Steve, but I’m waiting to get it for her.”
Steven leaned back on the couch. “I see. It’s probably taking you some time to come up with the money for a decent one, being a bartender and all.”
That’s definitely hitting below the belt. Cassie frowned. “Steven, that was un — ”
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Eric interrupted, never taking his eyes off her ex-boyfriend.
But Cassie had had enough of the blatant rudeness Steven and Ann were throwing their way. “No, it’s not.” Ann was just a snob, point blank. But Steven had never behaved this way. Cassie knew what his problem was.
He didn’t deem Eric good enough for her. Normally, that would be flattering, but it riled her. It only proved that he didn’t trust her to make a decision as important as deciding who she married. He was treating her like a child, yet he was the one who was marrying beneath him.
Oh, the irony.
She looked Steven in the eye. “I don’t have an engagement ring because I didn’t want one.”
Ann gasped. “Why on earth not?”
Not wanting a piece of jewelry was practically sacrilege to that woman. Cassie turned to her. “I’d rather just have a wedding ring.” She returned her gaze to Steven. “That’s all.”
Steven looked unsatisfied with that answer.
“But don’t you worry, Steve,” Eric said smoothly. “I still plan on convincing her.” He took his arm from around Cassie’s shoulders, grabbed her hand. “I’m pretty good at that.” He planted a tender kiss on the back of her hand. “Aren’t I, baby?”
Cassie tore her eyes away from his mouth. She looked into that piercing blue gaze of his. She smiled. “You sure are.”
Steven cleared his throat. “Obviously. I mean, you did convince her to go for someone she never would have in the past.”
Eric tilted his head as he regarded Steven. “I did, huh?” He shrugged. “I’m that good, I guess.”
Steven rolled his eyes just as Ann mumbled, “I’m sure you are.”
Cassie wanted to pounce on her, rip her stupid hair out of her stupid head. She was distracted from her violent impulse by the faint sound of barking.
Steven and Ann looked toward the back yard.
“Whose dog is that making such a fuss?” Ann asked, frowning.
“That would be mine,” Eric said, standing. He looked down at Cassie. “I mean ours.” He turned to smile at Steven and Ann before sauntering off and disappearing into the kitchen.
“A dog?” Steven asked. “You have a dog now?”
“That’s right,” Cassie said.
Steven shook his head, as if trying to understand. “How long have you had a dog? You never said anything about it.”
Cassie struggled to remember the details. “Oh,” she said, picking at her nails, stalling for time, but hoping it was coming off as nonchalance, “Eric had him when we met so, naturally, I got him, too.” She looked up from her nails and smiled. “I didn’t think to mention it because, well, it’s no big deal.”
Steven looked incredulous. “No big deal?”
Cassie gave her best perplexed face and shook her head.
“You hate dogs,” Ann said.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you once describe them as mangy, slobbering germ machines on four legs?” Steven asked.
“Hmm,” Cassie said as she twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, “I feel differently now.”
“About a lot of things, apparently,” Steven said.
Tip bounded into the living room ahead of Eric. He looked at each one of them, tail going a mile a minute.
Ann frowned at the dog. “I can’t believe you like dogs now.”
“Actually,” Cassie said, “I love this one.” Before she could think better of it, she patted the seat next to her. “Come here, baby,” she said in a syrupy voice she had sworn more than once she would never use with anyone, let alone a dog.
Tip looked at her a moment. Cassie thought he actually had the gall to look slightly confused. Thankfully, he wasn’t slow on the uptake. Tip jumped up next to her and licked the side of her face.
It took every ounce of willpower Cassie possessed not to push him off the love seat and run, screaming, into the kitchen to boil water for her face. Knowing all eyes were on her, Cassie pulled Tip onto her lap and kissed the top of his head.
“That’s a good boy. You’re so sweet, yes you are,” she crooned. Tip laid down, putting his head on her lap after shaking it and spraying drool on her. She was about to hurl. She breathed deeply through her nose as she tried to remain calm.
Eric, who had entered the room right behind Tip, stood, watching in amusement. Steven and Ann were both cringing.
“His name’s Tip,” Cassie offered. “He’s just a baby, he won’t hurt you.” She smiled down at him as she rubbed his head.
“He’s a baby?” Ann asked, scooting back on the couch.
“I know, right? Can you believe it?” Cassie asked, smiling. “He’s a Daniff though,” she added, as if she hadn’t heard that word herself for the first time just the night before.
Steven and Ann looked at her blankly.
“Half Great Dane, half Mastiff. Those are two of the biggest dog breeds there are,” Cassie stated succinctly.
“Oh,” Ann said.
“Right,” Steven said, nodding.
Eric walked over to sit next to Cassie. “This one wasn’t crazy about the dog, lemme tell you.”
“But I had to have the dog if I wanted you,” Cassie said sweetly.
“Any regrets?” Eric asked.
“Not one. Besides, I assumed you’d make it worth my while.”
Eric smiled. “I plan to,” he said, his voice low and seductive.
Their eyes remained fixed on one another so long, they apparently made Steven uncomfortable. He cleared his throat.
“We’re going to go grab lunch, maybe go downtown. You want to join us?”
Cassie looked at Eric, unsure of what to say.
Never taking his eyes off her, Eric responded. “That’s all right. Why don’t we just meet up for dinner tonight?”
“But the whole reason I’m … ” Steven paused, “we’re here is to spend time with Cassie.”
“And you will,” Eric said, finally turning to look at Steven.
“Yes, but this weekend is the only time we really have together,” Steven argued. “I have that conference next week. Ann and I will be staying at a hotel.”
Ann gave Eric a slow once over. “We don’t have to stay at the hotel, dear.”
Cassie tensed.
Ann smiled at her. “I’m sure Cassie wouldn’t mind us staying with her for the week.”
Steven looked at Cassie. “Would you?”
“Uh,” Cassie said as she looked at Eric for help, “we really — ”
“Wouldn’t mind at all,” Eric said. He put his arm around Cassie once again. “This should be fun.”