Table for Two (35 page)

* * *

Cassie called Adriana once her book was completed. "I feel like going out," she said when her friend answered.

"I don't think we have anything to talk about."

She knew Adriana was probably still annoyed with her, but she knew the best way to get past it "I thought about calling Timothy and I tried to seduce Kevin."

Adriana’s curiosity was piqued. "I'll meet you at the Golden Diner in an hour."

Hurt feelings were mended with laughter and Drake's name was never mentioned. Cassie was in a relaxed mood when she returned home. Then the phone rang.

"I'm going to be at the Memorial Church at four on Thanksgiving," a familiar voice said. "If you want to talk, see me there." She didn't dare move or breathe in case it was a dream.

"Cassie?"

"I'm here."

"Do you want directions?"

She bit her lower lip. Just when she was beginning to recover from his spell and the hurt of his leaving, did she want to go back? They'd hurt each other so much, was it worth it? "I don't know."

"I don't know either. That's why we have to talk." He gave her the directions, then hung up.

* * *

The basement of Memorial Church was bustling with activity when Cassie arrived. People draped the tables with red and orange tablecloths and set up streamers and balloons on the walls. There was the clank of pots in the kitchen, the loud squeak of metal chairs being opened and set on the white tile floor.

"Oh, good, I'm glad you could make it," Jackie said, coming up to her. She grasped her hand and led her toward the far wall. "You'll be serving food." She handed her a plastic cap and apron.

Cassie stared at the items. "I've never done this before."

"Just make sure the food hits the plate and you'll be fine." She hurried away.

Cassie put on her cap, but had trouble tying the back of her apron.

"You look great," Eric said, tying the back for her. He came from behind and studied her. "You'll fit right in."

She looked at his worn jeans and sweater. "Where's your apron?"

He shrugged, nonchalant. "Don't need it, I'm working with the kids."

She stared at him, waiting for the punch line. Waiting for his solemn face to split into a grin. It didn't. "You're serious."

"Yes." He turned toward the kitchen. "They're bringing out the food, I'll talk to you later." He smiled. "I'm glad to see you here."

She spotted Drake at the food table, uncovering the biscuits. Despite her best efforts, her heartbeat accelerated as she approached him and for an instant she felt like a school wallflower approaching the school bad boy. Her sneakers padded across the tile and her corduroys made a soft zip, zip sound as she walked. She'd gained five pounds. Would he notice?

She stopped and watched him. It had been only two weeks since she'd last seen him on a cold autumn morning when he'd hurled angry words at her. Words that had forced her to look inside herself. She gazed at the man she'd once wanted to hate. A man whose wealth and physical beauty made him seem unattainable. Yet as she watched him direct one of the volunteers and carefully set out the food she remembered his tenderness and knew he was only a man. She walked up to him and took a deep breath. "Hi."

It was the only word she could manage before he kissed her—driving away all doubt, all fears, all worries. She would have expected such an impulsive action to be hard, almost aggressive, but his mouth was surprisingly gentle, his hands upsetting her balance and all rational thought. When he at last pulled away she stared, speechless.

His eyes were intense. He cupped her chin and rubbed her lower lip with his thumb. "Sorry, but I had to get that out of the way."

"What was that?"

"An apology." He let his hand fall. "I'll never forgive myself for what I said to you."

"But you were right. I needed to hear it."

He caressed her cheek. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

A hand darted between them, snapping its fingers. "Okay, enough, you two," Eric said. "You can make up later. We've got work to do." He walked away.

Cassie frowned in his direction, concerned. "Do you realize Eric is going to work with the kids?"

"Yes."

"Do you think he knows what he's up against?"

"He's fine. He does it every year."

"He doesn't seem the type."

Drake sent her a sly glance. "Still misjudging people, huh?"

She folded her arms. "Oh, come on. Look at him. He looks like he's ready to give a lecture on the importance of economics."

"If he decided to they probably would listen. He's good with kids."

"Wonders never cease."

He headed for the kitchen. "We'd better get this table set up before our guests arrive."

* * *

She didn't expect to enjoy herself, but every toothless smile, warm greeting, and "God bless you" she received made the day special. She used her humor to provoke a smile from a solemn old man and a tearful young woman; heaped the plates of a pregnant teen and her boyfriend. She watched Pamela carry a plate for an elderly woman and saw Cedric let an old man use his arm as a cane. The smell of turkey and mashed potatoes mingled with the scent of moth-eaten coats, old shoes, and the streets, but it didn't bother her and she began to see what Eric said about seeing beauty—not one of the disenfranchised looked ugly to her. She saw Eric wipe the nose of one child while he held another on his lap, the others eating with their eyes fixed on him. Jackie rushed back and forth making sure everything ran smoothly and Drake handed out the food, saying something under his breath that seemed to make every guest smile. She felt beauty all around her.

"Glad you came?" Drake asked as they tied up the large trash bags.

"I'm thrilled I came, but I'm starving," she said, struggling with one of the bags.

He took it from her and expertly tried it. "We'll pick up something afterward."

She hesitated and stared at his hands as he worked. "What about Brenda?"

"She won't be there."

"You know what I mean."

"That ended a while back."

"I suppose you still want to meet my parents?"

"Yes."

"I need you to do me a favor first."

He lifted the trash bag over his shoulder. "What?"

"My parents will be back in town in about two weeks and they want to meet you because I told them about you. If you help me lose twenty pounds, that will be really helpful."

He let the bag drop to the ground. "Twenty pounds! Are you crazy?"

"I'll be doing something for you and you'll be doing something for me."

"You cannot lose twenty pounds in two and a half weeks."

Cassie folded her arms and lifted her chin. "I can and I have. I just need help—support really."

"You've lost twenty pounds in two weeks?"

"Yes."

Drake took off her plastic cap and his. "Hmm, and I bet you lost your hair and had about as much energy as a sloth."

Her arms fell. "How would you know?"

He flexed his hand. "Let's just say that I know a little something about malnutrition."

"I don't want to meet my mother looking like this."

"Looking like what? You look fine."

"But I don't feel fine and that's what matters, right?" She rested her hands on her hips. "Will you help me or not?"

He thought for a moment. "Make it three pounds and you've got a deal."

"Three pounds! That's nothing. I could spit that off."

He held out his hand. "Great, then we have a deal."

She slapped it away. "No."

"I'll help you gain muscle."

"Make it fifteen."

"Five."

"Twelve."

"Seventeen," Eric said. "What are you two arguing about?"

"She wants me to help her lose twenty pounds," Drake said in disgust.

"I'm visiting my parents in two weeks," Cassie added.

Eric frowned. "So?"

Drake nodded. "Exactly. Even though I'm against it, I said I'd help her lose five."

"Twelve," Cassie argued.

"Make it ten," Eric suggested.

They looked at each other, then Eric. "Fine, ten," they agreed.

He bowed. "Glad to be of service."

Drake lifted the trash bag. "You'll have to move in with me. So I can keep an eye on you."

"You're just adding that as a bonus."

He suddenly smiled. "I'm glad you see it that way."

"Okay."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "We'll have to seal this deal with a kiss."

She held a hand against his chest, glancing at the people as they swept past "Wait a few pounds."

"You either kiss me now or we don't have a deal." He saw her hesitation and sighed, annoyed. "Cassie, we kissed before."

"That's because you caught me off guard."

He glanced around. "It's safe. Nobody's watching."

She suddenly felt foolish, understanding how he would have thought she was ashamed of him. Her voice was a whisper. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

He met her eyes, his gaze holding her still. "Then kiss me and make me feel better."

She kissed him, then whispered. "That's just the Band-Aid," her tone suggesting a much more complete healing later on.

His voice was husky as he lifted the trash bag. "We'll be eating at my place."

She smiled and watched him go, feeling nothing but joy, but a sliver of doubt settled in her thoughts—after all they've been through, did he still want to marry her?

Chapter 15

Eric stared out Drake's balcony window with a pensive expression. "When is Cassie arriving?"

Drake glanced at his watch. "Soon."

"Since you and Cassie are now back together, Brenda is out of the picture, right?"

"She's been out for a while."

He paused. "How did you do that?"

"I made it clear that I was only interested in being friends."

He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking pained. "Are you sure Brenda got the message?"

"Yes." He looked at him, curious. "Why?"

"Because she's on your balcony."

"What!" Drake flew to the window. He saw Brenda climbing over the balcony railing. He opened the sliding door. "What are you doing?"

She smiled. "Seeing you."

"How did you get here?"

"I know people in high places."

Drake leaned over the balcony and saw a fire truck driving down the road. He turned to Brenda. "You have to leave. I'm expecting a guest."

"I don't plan to stay long." She cupped his face. "Of course that all depends on you." She opened her trench coat. There was nothing underneath.

Behind him Eric softy swore; Brenda snapped the coat shut.

"You know, those breasts look vaguely familiar," Eric said. Drake glared at him. "But of course that's not the point."

She studied him. "Who are you?"

"Doubt you would remember me."

"He's my brother," Drake said.

"Ah..." she said, remembering. "Still trying to measure up?"

Eric flushed slightly and took a step back. "I'll leave you two."

"Excuse us," Drake said, following his brother to the door. He seized Eric's arm before he could escape. "Did you sleep with her too?" he asked in a harsh whisper.

"No, she just let me see her breasts."

"For how much?"

"It was free."

"Did we attend the same high school?"

"She felt sorry for me," Eric admitted. "If you survive tonight I'll tell you about the student teacher." He dislodged Drake's grip and made his escape.

"Good," Brenda said. "I thought he'd never leave."

"I thought I explained—"

"What you said and what you wanted to say were two different things." She traced his lips with her finger. "I know you're shy, so I'll do all the work."

"I'm back with Cassie."

She smiled, smug. "That's okay. I know you're loyal. Your type usually are. I don't mind being the other woman." She licked her lips, grasping the front of his shirt. "It's less stressful anyway."

He grabbed her wrists, debating whether to toss her out the door or through the window. He was certain she would just turn into a bat and fly away. "I'm—" She pushed herself up against him. He moved back, disgusted. "Brenda—"

"Wait right here. I have a surprise for you." She disappeared into the bathroom.

He pounded on the door. "I'm not interested in your surprises." She just laughed. He considered bursting in when the buzzer rang. He squeezed his eyes shut, debating whether to pretend he wasn't home. When the ringing continued he pushed the button to open the front door and paced, trying to figure out a good excuse for Brenda's presence. He pounded on the door again. "What are you doing in there?"

"Patience."

Someone knocked on the front door. He took a deep breath and opened it, blocking her entrance. "Cassie, I'm in a jam right now. Could you come back in an hour?"

"But I brought my bags," she argued, holding up the objects. "At least let me drop them off."

He took the bags and tossed them on the floor. "There."

"Wait, what's the rush?"

"Drake, are you ready for your surprise?" Brenda called out. It was a statement rather than a question because she gave him no time to reply.