Del ran into Ted in the lobby of the hotel the next day. “Hi, Ted. What brings you here?”
“I’m meeting Cassie. Picking her up and we’re going to walk to the wharf and have lunch at Jimmy’s.”
He’d hoped to have lunch with Cassandra himself today, but it looked like Ted had beaten him to it. He wanted to apologize to her for leaving so abruptly last night. But he’d been too busy to even call her this morning. The room with the fire was going to need a total redo. He’d gotten a fire restoration company in, and they were doing their thing. The smoke smell had permeated so much. He was having the room repainted and fresh carpet put down. The mattress had been destroyed. But thank goodness the foolish man hadn’t been harmed, or worse, killed. He’d walked away with a minor burn on his arm.
City inspectors had been out to confirm the rest of the hotel was in no danger. Insurance company had been out. So many phone calls. His morning had been crazy busy.
He brought his attention back to Ted, pushing away the troubles of the hotel. “Well, I hope you have a good time.”
“I hear you and Cassie had an official date last night.” Ted nodded approvingly. “She seemed pleased about it. Did you have a good time?”
“We did… but I got called away early. Hotel emergency.”
“Ah, the fire. I heard about it.” Ted shook his head. “The whole town knows about it by now.”
“There’s some damage, but no real injuries. It could have been much worse.”
“That’s good. But sorry your date got cut short. Frankly, I’m glad to see Cassandra dating again.”
He raised his eyebrows. “She hasn’t been?” He figured her nights were peppered with dates back home. She was smart, pretty, talented. Why wouldn’t she be dating all the time?
“Ah… well… she had dated. One guy for quite some time. Vincent. Seemed like a nice enough fellow. I believe Cassandra cared about him. They dated for a few years. I thought they might even get married.”
He waited, wanting to know what happened. Cassandra hadn’t ever mentioned a long-time boyfriend.
“She found out—quite unexpectedly—that he was cheating on her. She came back early from a trip to California. Called his office and his secretary said he was at their favorite restaurant. She decided to drop by to surprise him. Only she was the one who got surprised. He had his arm around another woman, kissing her. Evidently, she found out after the fact that it wasn’t the first.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Poor Cassandra, to be tricked like that. Cheated on.
“She felt very foolish. And so angry. She thought she should have known. Sensed it or felt it. She’s been a bit… distrustful… of men since then. You’re the first man she’s dated since Vincent.”
Pleasure seeped through him that Cassandra felt she could trust him. And of course, she could.
“Anyway, it goes without saying, I guess… don’t hurt her.” Ted pinned him with a look that said he meant business.
“I won’t. I wouldn’t. I… care about her.”
“Good, that’s what I wanted to hear. And I’m glad you’re taking it slowly. She might be a bit… skittish.”
“I don’t blame her.”
“I don’t either. And I know I’m being the overprotective uncle… but I do adore her and only want the best for her. So just… don’t…” Ted shrugged.
“Don’t worry. I won’t. She means a lot to me.”
Ted nodded. “Okay then. Enough of the man-to-man talk. I better go up and get Cassie for our lunch.”
“Have fun.”
He turned when the manager came up to him. “Sir, the restoration company wants to talk to you.”
“Okay, thanks.” He hurried off to the damaged room. He wanted to talk to Cassandra more than ever now. Assure her that she was a priority for him and apologize for leaving her alone last night. Maybe he’d get a chance after she got back from her lunch.