“What is wrong with you?” she hissed at him as he continued to walk backward, toward his rental.
His face fell. “Cassidy, I had to know. I had to make sure you were okay.”
“Of course I’m okay! I’m with Gage!”
“Cass, he can’t just make you stop talking to me.”
“You’re right, Connor, he can’t,” she said, shocking the hell out of me. “But he doesn’t want me talking to you, so I’m not going to. I meant every word I said to you in California, and I told Gage that too. Connor, I am in love with Gage. He is my everything; don’t you understand that? If he doesn’t want me talking to you because I allowed you to kiss me, because I kissed you back, and because I think of you in ways that I definitely shouldn’t . . . then I have to respect that. And so do you.” She turned her body into mine and let her free hand flail through the air when she continued. “Or don’t, but at least respect me and my decisions. You knew I was coming back to Gage, and you knew when I left your apartment that I wouldn’t be coming back to you. I’m sorry if this isn’t what you want, Connor, but don’t make this into the huge, dramatic scene that it doesn’t need to be. Or more of one, anyway. I already told Gage about you, and he was the only one who needed to know; now I need to unnecessarily explain you to his family.”
“Cassidy—”
“Go home, Connor, you made this into a bigger mess and now I need to clean it up. Just go home.”
He stepped right up to her and cupped her cheek with his hand; my body froze before it started shaking. My free hand was already balled into a fist, but I forced myself to remain silent and still to see what she would do.
“Cass, I need you.”
“And I need Gage,” she said softly, and removed his hand while trying to force herself even closer to me, so I grabbed her and took a step away from him. “It will always be Gage for me. Please, Connor . . . go home.”
I watched as his completely broken face studied her, then turned to me and hardened up into an impressive glare. He wasn’t lying; he really cared for Cassidy. Connor didn’t seem like the kind of guy to back down from anyone, but as soon as Cassidy started telling him how it was going to be, he’d all but crumbled. With one last pained glance at Cass, he got into the Charger and drove away.
Cassidy relaxed as soon as he was off the ranch and her forehead hit my chest. “Gage, I had no idea. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for everything. I’m sorry for California, I’m sorry for kissing him, I’m sorry for leaving you.” Her chest was heaving up and down quickly and I ran my hands over her back to calm her.
“Darlin’, it’s fine. He’s gone and from the look on his face I don’t think he’s coming back. Are you all right? You looked terrified, Cassidy, did he say something to you?”
“No, but all I could think about was how mad you were going to be. I was afraid you’d think I’d wanted him here or that I’d be happy to see him.”
“And were you?” I asked tightly.
“No! Seeing him here . . . realizing how bad I messed things up and how he could ruin them, God, Gage, I was terrified I was going to lose you.” Her body started shaking and she made a choking sound. “I’m so sorry.” She burst into tears and her knees buckled.
I easily lifted her into my arms and held her tight, letting her cry as long as she needed. Ever since the letter from her mom she’d been more emotional, but I didn’t mind. I loved that she was now open enough that she would easily share this with me too. “C’mon, sweetheart, let’s get you inside.”
She quickly shook her head and wiped at her cheeks and under her eyes. “No, you and Ty were going into town, and now I have to tell your mom and Amanda about Connor. I’d rather not have to see how I broke your heart again.”
“Darlin’, I’m not leaving you when you’re upset like this.”
“I’m fine, Gage, really. I just hate that I put you through that. Go run your errand. I’ll tell them and we’ll have dinner ready when you get back.”
“Cass—”
Her lips pressed to mine for long seconds, and without removing them she whispered, “Go, babe. I’m not running anywhere, I promise. This is my home—you are my home. I’m not leaving. Run your errand, I’ll be waiting here for you.”
My entire body relaxed at her words. “Be back soon, all right?”
“Be safe.”
Chapter Eighteen
CASSIDY
I FELT SOMETHING warm against my neck and smiled, thinking Gage had come for his morning hug. But then it felt like a weight on my throat and it was cutting off my air supply; at the same time I felt hot breath and tiny kisses cover my chin, cheeks, nose, and mouth. My eyes flashed open to see a sun-filled room and two tiny crystal-blue eyes directly above mine before a black nose plunged toward my eye and my face was covered in tons of little puppy kisses again. I reached up to pick the fluffy puppy off my neck and looked at the most precious face I’d ever seen. White muzzle and forehead, double mask of light gray with black spots and a couple brown splashes.
“Hi, precious,” I whispered, and giggled when I was rewarded with more kisses on my nose and cheeks.
“You like her?” a deep, gravelly voice asked from the side of the bed.
I turned my head and smiled brightly. “Like her? I love her! Is she ours?”