Another Chance (10 page)

“OK, so you’re still likely to go out with me then?”

Cassie rolled her eyes and walked away laughing.

“That’s the way mate, hook her and then pull her in. She is so yours,” he said to himself. He had to make his move soon, there wasn’t much time left at all.

Mark came inside to clean up as he usually did, there was no way he could drag this job out for longer. He had completed Cassie’s renovations two days before, and not told her. Reluctant to lose contact with her, but knowing he had to move on to the next project in order to make some money.

As he came inside to say goodbye, he found her asleep on the couch. Sophie played with her dolls a short space away and he watched her playing happily. He had grown fond of her in the time he’d spent with them, and he would miss her too.

“Mummy’s asleep, she had a headache,” said Sophie, “she gets them sometimes.”

“Oh she does, does she?” asked Mark.

“Since she had her accident.”

“Her accident?”

“She fell and hurt her back, it was a long time ago before I was born. Is it time for dinner?”

He checked his watch. “Must be pretty close.”

“Mummy will be awake soon, I wish I knew how to cook.”

“If that’s not a hint, I don’t know what is,” Mark said with a laugh. “Would you like to help me cook dinner, Sophie?”

She nodded. “That would be a nice thing to do for Mummy.”

“It would be, wouldn’t it? Come on sweetheart.”

Sophie helped him find what he needed, and Cassie soon woke to a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. She yawned and made her way to the kitchen, smiling at the sight of him checking on his creation. “What’s that?” she asked.

“I made a cottage pie. Sophie helped me out,” he nodded towards her. “I figured seeing as you were sleeping with a headache that we should leave you there and get on with it. Sophie was getting hungry.”

“Is that right young lady?” Cassie asked.

Sophie nodded. “I didn’t feel like that other stuff.”

“What other stuff?”

“I prepackage meals for when we’re in a hurry, there’s a lot of things in the freezer that Sophie knows how to heat in the microwave.”

Mark raised an eyebrow at Sophie. “You were going to tell me this when?”

Sophie giggled and pointed at the oven. “This is better than frozen stuff.”

“Little monkey. Nevermind at least I get you to sample my cooking now. I’ve finished up out there now, Cassie, I’ll be moving on after today.”

Cassie’s face fell, and Mark’s heart skipped a beat when he realised she was disappointed at the news. “Thank you. I appreciate everything that you’ve done.”

They sat to eat, and Sophie wolfed her portion down as if she hadn’t eaten for a week. “Do you get those headaches often?”

“No, just every so often,” said Cassie

“Sophie said you had an accident and hurt your back, what happened?”

“I jumped out of a second story window of a burning house, missed the grass underneath for the most part. Broke my back and both legs.”

“Ouch.”

“That’s how I ended up here, my grandmother took me in when my parents died, and I’ve been here ever since.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, about your parents I mean. Mine died when I was younger too, it was me and my younger sister for a long time.”

“I had my grandmother and Sophie. Sophie was a miracle, she survived through everything I went through, and we have been growing up together ever since.” She got up to collect the dishes, and as she reached for Mark’s plate he placed his hand on her arm. Mark met her gaze, his deep brown eyes drawing her in.

Blushing, she went back what she was doing. Mark grinned at the effect he had on Cassie, just by looking at her. He hoped she responded well to his request. “I’ll do the dishes love.”

“You cooked, I’ll wash.”

He moved behind her as she ran the water in the sink. “Cassie, I’d really like to do this again soon.”

“Mark this has been really lovely, thank you so much.”

“I’d like to start seeing you if that’s what you’d like too.” His face was so close to hers now, and his heart pounded as he leaned in to kiss her. Her lips were soft and warm, and he kissed her tenderly, not wanting to rush things.

When they broke apart, he saw her face, and not the expression he had hoped for. “What’s wrong love?” he asked.

“I’m already seeing someone.”

“Shit,” he murmured.

“It’s not that I don’t like you, Mark because I do. We could try being friends for a while?”

“Are you sure you want that? It would be easier if I walked away than watching you date someone else.”

“Don’t be like that. I would never have let you into my home if I didn’t like you around.”

“I think I’ll leave you to it, Cassie, you can call me if you’re ready for something with me.”

“If that’s the way you want to play it, fine. I’m here if you want a friend or you ever want to come for dinner. Sophie likes you too.”

“I’m glad she does, I’ll get out of here then. You have my number.”

“You could stay and watch a movie with us.”

“I think going is the best thing I can do right now.”

“I’m sorry, Mark.”

“I know.” Her words had slapped him down when he thought he would get somewhere with her.

"I hope this other guy is good to you, or I will sort him out."

Cassie watched as he walked out of the house, feeling regretful already.

Thoughts of him still bugged her as she got ready for her date with Adam two days later.

“Does Mummy look OK?” Cassie asked Sophie.

The little girl jumped up to hug her mother. “You’re so pretty, Mummy,” she said and Cassie hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head.

“We’ll be fine, I’m sure,” said Mrs O’Leary. She had been a friend of Cassie’s grandmother and lived next door. “Is he picking you up?” asked Mrs O’Leary.

“No, I’m meeting him there. He was taking a class tonight, and the restaurant is closer to the gym than here.”

Mrs O’Leary raised an eyebrow. “Cassie, if he is that keen he should take the time to come and collect you.”

She grinned. “It’s fine, I don’t mind. I’m sure when he doesn’t have classes it won’t be a problem.”

Cassie took a deep breath before starting the car. This was scary territory. Apart from being afraid to give her heart away again she was self conscious about her weight, it was the reason she’d started going to the gym. It was slow progress though, she frequently battled the busy life of a working single mum.

Work and then coming home to Sophie was exhausting, and she’d often cheat her diet because she was too tired to make the effort. She pushed that to the back of her mind though, obviously Adam saw something he liked to have asked her out. The restaurant wasn’t too pricey, but she made sure she had enough in case they were splitting the bill. She’d been too nervous to ask about who was paying after he’d asked her out.

He was standing outside when she got there. “You look lovely, Cassie.”

Cassie blushed. “Thank you.”

As they entered the restaurant, she was taken aback to see Mark sitting with an attractive blonde.

“He didn’t take long to get over my turning him down,” she murmured.

“What was that?” asked Adam.

“Nothing, just thinking out loud.”

Mark nodded at her when they made eye contact, and she sat when Adam pulled out a chair for her. After some nervous conversation and initial drinks, the waiter came over to take their order. “I’d like the ribs with fries please.” Cassie said, smiling at Adam. “It’s a tradition my daughter and I have when we’ve been here.”

He raised an eyebrow at her and ordered something steamed with salad. “Does your daughter also have a weight problem?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll be frank with you, Cassie. I think you can do better, and you should change your order to something low in calories to help yourself.”

“This is supposed to be a nice night out, and I would like a treat, which I don’t usually have because we’re not wealthy and it’s not cheap. Any other comments?”

“You don’t have to be like that, Cassie, it would make me happy if you lost some weight. Is that really too much to ask?”

She stared at him. “This is our first real date, and you’re telling me to lose weight to make you happy?”

“It’s the only way I’m going to sleep with you, Cassie and let’s face it the way you’ve been watching me, you’re gagging for it. Single mother without a man for a long time who likes what she sees, it’s very common.”

“What did you say to her?” Cassie closed her eyes, recognising Mark’s voice.

“This is a private conversation, it’s none of your business what I said to her.”

“It bloody well is my business. I care about this woman, and it sounds as if you’re being a dickhead to her.”

“Mark, please, you’re making a scene.”

“How can you be fine with the way this guy is talking to you?” he asked her, his eyes full of bewilderment.

“I’m not, but I want to deal with it in my way.”

“I really hope you’re not going to let him walk all over you, you’re better than that, Cassie.”

She nodded. “Yeah I am.”

Adam grinned. “Run along, Mark, nothing more to see here.”

“You’re right, there’s not,” said Cassie. She stood up. Pouring her drink over his head was the most satisfying thing she’d done in a long time. “You know what? When I left school seven years ago, I thought I had left the immature bullies behind. It is sad and pathetic to see they still exist, especially from a so-called adult.”

Mark wasn’t far behind her as she left the restaurant to the distant sound of applause from the other diners and Adam calling after her. “Aren’t you going to pay for your dinner?”

Mark followed Cassie to her car, where she fumbled with the keys for a short time before unlocking the car door. “Are you okay, Cassie?” he asked.

“I’m fine, I think I need to get home.”

“I’m sorry your night out didn’t go to plan. For what it’s worth, the guy is a douche.”

Cassie laughed. “You’re right, I regret turning you down even more now. Good night, Mark.”

“Hey, you don’t want to go get a burger do you? I only had an entree, and I’m still hungry.”

“I would love to go for a burger.”

Mark grinned. “Shall we take your car?”

“Aren’t you with someone?”

“Only my sister. She’ll get over it.”

“Come on then,” she motioned.

She peered at him sideways while they got the menu. “What?” he asked.

“Nothing. After earlier events, I feel self-conscious.”

“You don’t ever have to feel that way with me, Cassie, I like you the way you are.”

Cassie blushed. “You’re gorgeous love, you don’t need to change.” Cassie’s heart pounded in her chest. She really had made the wrong choice. “Thank you,” she squeaked.

He winked. “You’re welcome love, just speaking my mind.”

For a moment, their eyes locked, and Cassie jumped when a voice seemingly came from nowhere. “Can I take your order?”

Served their food, they sat at a table opposite each other with Mark barely looking at his meal. “Do you have to watch me eat?” she asked.

He laughed. “I think you’ve worked out what I want to look at, Cassie, why do you think I jumped into your conversation tonight?”

“Should I be asking you about your stalker tendencies?” she asked with a grin.

“Hey, I was there first. Maybe I just wanted to check out my competition. Truthfully, Lauren and I like eating there. Although you should know that I finished the work in your back yard two days earlier than I said I did.”

She stared at him. “What did you do for the last two days then?”

“I planted flowers by the new wall, so you’ll have something to remember me.”

Cassie laughed. “After tonight it would be hard to forget you.”

“That’s what I’m aiming for. You know before I followed you out I told that guy he was an idiot and you were a goddess who didn’t need fixing.” Mark reached across the table, plucking a fry from her plate.

She went bright red. “You did not say that.”

“I did. It is what I’ve been thinking. Seemed the perfect opportunity to say it out loud.”

Cassie shook her head at him, grinning. Why had she turned this man down? “Mark, I’m really sorry that I went out with Adam. I need to get my head read.”

“That’s all right, now all you have to do is to say yes this time.”

“Yes to what?” she asked.

“I’m having a party on Friday night, you should come to it.”

“Sounds good. Sophie has her first sleepover with a friend on Friday night, so I am free for the evening.”

“Great.” He winked. “I can’t wait.”