Page 76 of Not on the Same Page

His entire expression changes. He grows softer, happier, more relaxed. “Baby, if I had my way, I’d shout from the top of the roof of this very building that we’re together. The only thing holding me back is that you’ve asked for some discretion.”

That heady feeling of holding some power comes over me again. Casey holds me up in a way no one else ever has. He trusts me, believes in my choices and supports them. He wants what’s best for me.

“I’m with you,” I tell him honestly. “I just want to figure a few things out.”

“Take all the time you need,” he says. And that feels honest, too. “But now that I know Isabella knows, I don’t have to feel bad about kissing you while she acts like she’s not watching us through the window.”

A giggle bubbles up out of me, but Casey stops it with a kiss so tender, so sentimental, that my toes literally curl.

“I have to get to the office.” He rests his forehead against mine.

“Wait, why did you come all the way out here before driving out there?”

“It’s on the way.” He pulls away and winks. “And you said last night you were meeting Isabella. I was hoping to run into you.”

“That’s adorable,” I say as he stands.

“Makes sense. I’m adorable.” He waves at Isabella to come back inside. “See you tonight?”

Isabella looks exactly as giddy as I feel when she reenters the coffee shop. I want to put this feeling in my pocket and keep it forever. It’s almost enough to completely outweigh the disappointment that my mom still hasn’t called and the lingering worry I can’t shake that I’m making a terrible mistake for my career.

But I push all of that aside for now. Casey’s grinning at me with a smile so bright it rivals the late-summer Chicago sun. I’d be a fool not to soak up his rays.

I smile back at him, hoping I’m returning at least half of what he’s giving me. “I can’t wait.”

26

CASEY

It’s Labor Day weekend, and while I couldn’t take the typical August vacation a lot of people in publishing do while I worked to acquire new authors for Starlight, I allowed myself a long weekend to spend with Trina. I treated her to a lavish dinner at one of my favorite restaurants on Friday night, going to the beach the next day, and making love before watching a movie on my couch until she dragged herself back to her place.

As she gathers up her purse and slides her feet into her sandals, I awkwardly shove my hands into my pockets, watching as she hops on one foot when she loses her balance. She puts her other foot down and runs a hand through her sex-tousled hair, laughing quietly at herself.

Suddenly, the idea of spending tomorrow without her just so I can spend time with Robert is unacceptable. I don’t want to be away from her for one minute.

“Robert has been asking about you,” I say, testing the waters.

“Oh yeah?” She folds her arms and cocks a hip, giving me her undivided attention, almost as if she doesn’t really want to leave and is taking an excuse for a few extra minutes. “How is he?”

“Good.” I take a step toward her. “Come have lunch with us tomorrow.”

Her lips make a little O in surprise. “I wouldn’t want to impose on your time with him.”

That’s not a no, and I dare to hope that maybe she wants to come, to be part of my family. I take another step toward her and tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, letting my fingertips linger. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want you there.”

She tips her chin up, leaning into my touch. “Okay. Text me the details.”

“That was easy,” I tease. “I didn’t even have to bust out a ‘my girl.’”

“Shit.” She smiles wryly. “I should have held out.” Her gaze drops to the side as her grin fades. “I like watching you and your brother together. I never had a sibling. Evelyn”—she glances at me—“my cousin…she wasn’t…we weren’t that close.”

I kiss her nose, then her lips. Every time she shares something small from her life, I want to etch it into my brain, scribble it into the book I’m compiling about Trina that sits front-and-center in my mind.

“Well, Robert thinks you’re amazing.” I kiss her again. “And so do I.” I pull away so I can look her in the eyes, so she can feel the gravity of what I’m saying. “You’re welcome with us any time.”

She melts a little, folding herself into me and wrapping her arms around my waist as she rests her cheek against my chest. “Thanks, Casey.”

I hold her there for a long moment, breathing in the strawberry scent of her shampoo, planting kisses on the crown of her head. And as I do so, I get the sense that this means a lot more to her than she’s letting on.