Agent Laine

Signed With A Kiss Aesthetics - Teenage Cassie

"I'm so pale and this color doesn't look good on me." Laine mumbled just loud enough for me to hear her through her massive closet. "I got this in college. It's so out of style."  

"Laine, stop it. I'm sure you look great." I called from her vanity chair as I ran my hand over a glass cup of marbles that held an array of brushes probably used for makeup products that I couldn't name. Cassie and I had shared half a bottle of wine before suggesting going swimming and now I was beginning to feel it just by the mere fact that I was playing with makeup.

Laine stomped through the closet and out through the door with one of her monogramed towels wrapped around her and tightly secured. There was a flush of color on her cheeks and frustration in her eyes. Her gold hair fell in day old curls over her shoulders in a way I had never seen before. I had never seen Laine this way. I had never seen her vulnerable.

I didn't check her out through the mirror as much as I wanted to. God I wanted to. I wanted to analyze all the skin I hadn't been able to see under her business attire and winter apparel that kept her covered. I knew what was under that towel and I had to try hard not to think about it too much.

"Jack!" Laine exclaimed with a voice at least three octaves higher than usual. "Can we just go down there now?"

I shake myself out of my daze and turn toward her, making sure to keep eye contact. "Uh, yeah. I'll grab a towel." I try to smoothing get out of my chair and grab another one of her monogramed towels from her towel bar.  

Laine's bare feet slapped against the tile as she scurried through the her room and out into the hallway in a near jog. "Could you grab that bottle of wine in the kitchen fridge and a couple glasses too?!" She called as she rounded the corner toward the staircase.

"Okay!" I let out a sigh of defeat and proceed to the kitchen where a bottle of expensive wine she picked out was strategically placed for me. I got the bottle and the wine opener as quickly as I could and practically sprinted through the house and by passed the elevator to the stairs and nearly busted my ass trying to run down them and not drop the glass object in my hands.

When I did get down to the basement I crept quietly toward the pool room where steam from the warm pool beckoned me to enter. The glass wasn't quite fogged up enough to eliminate the reflection completely but I couldn't see Cassie in it. I tried to look casual as I entered the room and placed the bottle of wine and the opener next to the steaming water's edge. I didn't see Laine but that didn't mean she had flaked out on me quite yet since the towel that she once had been wearing was lying next to the top of the pool steps and the sound system was playing overhead.

The distinct sound of soft plastic rubbing together announced her presence in the hallway. She appeared through the door with a giant donut made of plastic and full of air; specifically made to float on. Laine was carrying it so that the donut was hiding as much of her body as it could.

I didn't say anything as I pulled my t-shirt over my head and tossed it onto the glass table that looked as if it had never been sat at. The rush of sudden coolness made me shiver slightly so I quickly rushed into the water. The pool felt like a bath and as I dove down toward the deep end I felt the butterflies in my stomach go away so when  I turned around I didn't try to make eye contact. I looked everywhere.

Laine was one step into the pool with her donut out of reach. Her legs were everything I imagined as they climbed out of the water to meet the hips I had always watched sway from afar. The red bows that held the thin fabric around those hips were a tiny pull away from revealing everything. The muscles under the skin of her torso flexed as her body adjusted to the change in temperature and her arms quickly crossed across her chest most likely due to the fact her top was made from the same material as her bottoms. Regardless, her arms pressing against her chest didn't help hide anything because she had quite a bit that she couldn't hide.

"Jack!" She squealed when she noticed I had been gawking at her and with one quick movement she dropped down onto the bottom step so that only the top of her shoulders and above could be seen.

"I told you that you would look great." I stepped toward her which made her blush a bit more.

Laine rolled her eyes at me. "Don't even." She huffed. "I wore this when I was going to spring break in Cabo a million years ago and I didn't look like...this." She flailed her hands under the water, making tiny whirlpools around her.

I extended my hand toward her. "Come on," I nodded toward the deeper water. When she tried to stay shoulder deep I piped up again. "Stand up, Laine."

Laine reluctantly stood and dropped her arms down into the water. The thin fabric of her top didn't hide the fact she was a little chilly and the strings that held it all together were delicate and dangerous. When she reached out for my hand I could see the embarrassment in her eyes seem to fade away when she saw the way I was looking back at her.

I smile as she ever so subtly checks me out. "See, it isn't so bad. It's not like I'm wearing any more than you are." I motion up and down my mostly naked body trying not to feel self conscious.

"It's easy for guys though. You guys just have to act manly but we have to be all sexy when it comes to anything revolving around wearing a swimsuit." She grumbled as she moved toward the edge of the pool where I had put the wine.

"That's bullshit." I call after her. "We work our asses off to look muscular and manly." I follow behind her as I try not to imagine how easily it would be for her top to come undone.

Laine turned suddenly with the open bottle in her hand. "You forgot the glasses."

I shrug. "I'm sorry." I examine the bottle closely before pressing the top to my lips and taking a large swig. If I was going to calm down then I'd need some alcohol in me fast.

"Share!." She took the bottle from me and chugged at least a glassful with ease before wading across the water toward her floaty.

"At least you're using your pool." I note trying to make her a little less tense and me less tense by taking another swig.

She picked up the donut and slid through the hole so that only the top one third of her body was sticking out of it. "Yeah, this is like the second time I think." She smiled as she pushed off the tile bottom to propel her toward the deep end. In that moment she looked like a little kid.

"We need to do this more often." I call as I grab the bottle and crouch down in the water to feel the warmness on my shoulders and down my throat as I swig more of the bottle.

"You can use it whenever you want." Laine called as she paddled around the deep end.

I splashed water toward her. "You need to use it too!"  

Laine, seeing the challenge, slid out of the floaty and into the water before swimming to where she could touch. "Did you just splash me?" She sarcastically gasped before chugging some more of the wine.

"I think I did, Agent." I laughed before swinging my hand hard against the water causing a large wave of water to hit her.

A that point she had placed the bottle down and was all in with her arms frantically pushing the salty water toward me in an attempt to block my splashes and hit me. With all her might she was pushing the water toward me while I was barely pushing it back toward her. She had determination to win so I was going to let her. Hell, I was always going to let her win.

"You can do better than that Harlow." She called as she swung a handful of water toward my face.

"Oh really now?" I raised an eyebrow at her before diving towards her and wrapping my arms around her torso as she squealed. "That's it!" I called as I stood upright and pulled her back down into the deep end with me. It took me a moment to realize that my arms were skin to skin with her torso and my face was inches away from her breast and I immediately let go; worried I had crossed a line.

When Laine rose to the top of the water she had a mischievous smile on her face and grabbed at me. "That's it Harlow!" She called out as he placed her hands on my shoulders and pushed me down into the water.

I wasn't the one who couldn't touch the bottom but I let her push me down anyway and grabbed ahold of her legs pulled her down with me. I could feel her flailing to keep her balance as I drug her a few steps back into the shallow water so that she wouldn't fall out of my arms.  

She steadied herself against my shoulders and allowed her body to press against mine for support which I tried to not look into. "If you toss me, I will kill you!" Laine breathed in sharply causing her breasts to come closer toward my face..

"I would never let you fall." I breathed as I gently stepped back toward the shallow end.

Laine's arms loosened from my shoulders and she looked concentrated on her balance. "What a gentleman!" She called as she used her weight as leverage the throw me off balance and back toward the deep water.  

"I swear too God, Laine!" I let out a laugh as I wipe the salt water out of my eyes. When I open them my eyes directly go to where a red piece of fabric once was.

When Laine realized what was going on she flung her arms over her chest and her face turned bright red. "Where is it?!" She nearly screamed as she spun to see the red bikini top was floating away. "Don't look!"  

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." I lowered my voice to try to calm her. "Look," I pointed to my pecks which were bouncing up and down. "I have them too. It's no big deal. Don't freak out." I tried to sound calm instead of amazed at the fact I just saw Agent Cassie Laine's breasts which was more than anyone I had ever met had seen.

Laine's bright red face began to fade as she took a deep breath. "You're right. We all have them, they're just a little different." She spoke to herself in an attempt to calm herself down and the grip of her arms around her torso loosened and the wine kicked in. "And you know what? Women should be able to go topless." She stated as she dropped her arms.

I tried not to notice the fact that when she let go her breasts bounced slightly in the water but I did and I don't think that image will ever leave my brain. Just the fact that I could see what I had been imagining since day one was a enough of a daydream.

"Screw it." She called as she reached down and undid the little bows that hung on her hips. "Fuck gender rules." She pulled the bottoms from the water and flung them to the side. She dropped into the water and began to swim into the deep end. "You're not going to let me skinny dip alone, are you?"

I closed my mouth that had fallen open sometime between her hands dropping and her bottoms floating away. I just couldn't believe that Cassandra Laine was swimming naked in front of me. I thought I was in some kind of wet dream but I wasn't and I wasn't going to let her down.

"I'll see it eventually anyway! If we get shipped off together then it will happen." Laine called as she doggy paddled around me.

I took a deep breath and swiftly tried to pull my swim trunks off as gracefully as possible but it was useless; the wine had already began to hit me. I finally pulled them out of the water and tossed them toward the table. I wasn't ashamed of my endowments by any means but something about Cassie made me extremely self conscious.

"Damn Harlow. Those squats paid off big time!" Laine cat called as she stood up in waste deep water.  

I let out a laugh but before I open my mouth to say what was really on my mind, I stop myself. "You know what?" I waded to the edge of the pool and lifted the nearly empty bottle. "I think we've had enough fun for tonight because I know that I'm going to have a headache in the morning so I think I'm going to go pass out in one of your spare rooms." I sigh as I pass a naked Cassie Laine and grab the towel I had dropped on the ground.

"You're right." She grumbled as she climbed out of the pool and picked up her own towel. "I'm going to go straight to bed!" Cassie pointed upward before slightly stumbling forward.  

I wrapped the towel around me and lead her toward the elevator just in case she stumbled again. She seemed a little drunker than usual but that was most likely due to drinking on an empty stomach and I knew she'd be cranky in the morning so I dragged her to her room and made her get into bed. The moment she laid down I knew she wouldn't move again and I was sort of glad she had undressed herself so I didn't have to.  

"Jack, do you love me?." Laine yawned as I tucked the blanket around her. Within seconds she was out cold.

           “And who thought it was a good idea for me to come to this thing?” Jack huffed as he checked his hair with the front camera on his phone. “What do I say if they ask me if we’re together?”

           I couldn’t help but laugh at how nervous he was, checking his hair and making sure his shirt wasn’t wrinkled from the short three hours that were spent between a car and airplane. “Tell them the truth. We’re business partners.” I pulled a stray gold hair from the pant leg of my designer jeans. “I’ll be there and when I’m not, Theo will be. Don’t worry about it.”

           Jack looked over at me as he placed his phone in his jacket pocket. “I’m walking into a building with millionaires and CEOs and blue bloods. Of course I’m not worried.” His face was stern and unfazed but his heart was beating out of his chest.

           “Jack, Fuck them. You’re better than any of those jackasses. They don’t know you but they’ll judge you but they don’t matter.” I placed my hand on his knee. “Just smile and excuse yourself when they’re being asses.”

           The driver rolled down the partition to inform us that we would be arriving at my parents’ beach house soon where my mother was getting ready for a charity party. I had known about it for months but I didn’t tell Jack he was my date until last minute just to force him to go with me because I had already gotten a ticket for him in first class for the flight from DC to Norfolk. I just needed someone to keep me grounded in the chaos that was my life.

           “Plus, we don’t even have to stay at the party the whole time. We can go to the stables or go out on the boat. We can disappear in the blink of an eye.” I rummaged around in my bag till I found my keys. “We don’t even have to stay in that house. There’s a boathouse and hunting lodge far away from the main house.”

           “Great. This place is even bigger than yours.” Jack let out a deep sigh. “What if they don’t like me?”

           I let out a little laugh. “Fuck them. Theo likes you. He’s the only one who really matters. My mom thinks you’re hot and my dad respects you because of who your dad was.” I squeeze his knee so that it would stop from bouncing anxiously. “You’ll be fine. I swear.”

           As the car pulled down the long driveway toward the estate I watched the glimmering water appear then disappear through the trees as the road took us past the stables and pens where blue ribbon horses grazed, around the pond, and up to the front entrance of the Laine Estate where I had spent some of my formative years. The grasslands around the mansion made it look as if it was bigger than it really was but no one would agree with me.

           “Am I going to get any weird questions from your parents?” Jack was fidgeting with his watch in attempt to make time go faster.

           “Jack, the less you think about it the better it will be.” I reminded him as I hung my jacket between the straps of my Jimmy Choo bag.

           The car had barely stopped rolling when Jack jumped out of the car and started around to get my door while the driver tended to our luggage. He was trying to hide is anxiety but he couldn’t fool me. He was scared shitless of being here.

           “You’re finally here! I was about to die of boredom!” Theo called from the top of the grand staircase as I opened the front door. I could barely set my bag on the round sofa in the foyer before Theo threw his arms around me in a big hug. “I’ve been all alone all night. I almost had to throw a party.”

           I squeezed Theo playfully before letting him go. “Mom would have murdered you before I could ask if I could get your hot TA’s number.”

           Theo rolled his eyes before giving Jack a bro hug. “Bro, I’m so glad you came. We should totally go play some ball.”

           “Cassandra!” A high pitched voice echoed down the hall before a woman appeared in the doorway of the sitting room. “I’m so glad you could come.” Her blonde hair was perfectly curled and her button up blouse was tucked strategically into her pencil skirt.

           “Mom,” I tried to fake a smile as she wrapped me in a light hug and pretended to kiss my cheek. “This is Jackson.” I stepped away from her and back toward Jack and Theo.

           I hated to say that I looked just like my mother with her soft blonde hair, light hair and facial structure. Every time I looked in the mirror I saw my mother’s resting bitch face and disinterested gaze. I used to think I wanted to be just like her with her expensive jewelry and designer clothes. Hell, I am just like her except I actually do something good for the world instead of giving to shitty charities.

           “Jackson,” She looked him up and down before offering her delicate hand as if she was a queen. “It is a pleasure to meet the man who keeps my darling daughter busy.”

           I scowled at her like when I was still thirteen and she told me I looked easy in my mini skirt. “Our boss keeps both of us busy.” I stated harshly as I watched Jack take her hand with a weary smile.

           “My dear Cassandra,” My father’s voice called from the doorway my mother had entered from.

           My father was a clean cut man who wore designer suits and solid gold cufflinks. He was the stereotypical corner office CEO with his serious stare and no-bullshit attitude. Christopher Laine rarely smiled and never laughed which made him seem cold and unloving, which was pretty much spot on. The only thing he cared about was business and everything was business to him.

           “Father,” I awkwardly hugged him knowing that he hated anything more than a handshake.

           “Dear, this is Jackson.” My mother boasted as if she was happy that I was ‘with’ him.

           My father offered his hand sternly. “Nice to meet you, Jackson.”

           “I’ve heard great things about the both of you.” Jack lied through his teeth to make it seem as if he didn’t already hate him.

           As soon as they had come, they had disappeared off into their own world of business calls and party planning. They never stuck around long for chatting which was a godsend in many ways. I hated talking business and they hated talking about anything family related. It was just the way it always was.

           Theo and Jack carried our luggage up the stairs and down the hall to where my childhood bedroom sat overlooking the bay. The walls were still the same light turquoise and the antique furniture hadn’t changed since Georgia had designed it when I was thirteen. Pictures of my high school and college life still hung in frames on the wall and sat on the dresser from a faraway time. My old ballet shoes hung in a shadow box with a collage of dance photos. The only things missing were the things that my mother didn’t see as attractive for guests. That stuff was in a box under the bed.

           Jack rolled my suitcase over to the vanity and hung my freshly dry-cleaned dress on the back of the chair. “Look at you.” He let out a little laugh as he observed a picture of me and my brothers when we were little. I was missing two front teeth.

           “I was precious.” I laughed as I tossed my bag onto my chaise lounge that sat under a wall of windows.

           A catcall whistle escaped his mouth when he caught a glance of one of my college spring break pictures. “Remind me why you don’t use your pool again because you look damn good in that string bikini.”

           “I look damn good in anything.” I strategically threw my hair over my shoulder as I unlocked the French doors that led out onto the balcony.

           Jack let out a laugh at my sudden cockiness. “I couldn’t agree more.”

           It was so weird to be here in this room, in this house. It was so weird to see my parents in this house. All of it was so foreign like visiting a place you’ve only seen in magazines or on TV. It gave me this feeling of adolescence angst and I couldn’t tell if it was the presence of my parents or the home itself.

            I walked out onto the balcony to breath in the salty bay breeze. The warm air blowing against my face was so soothing and the sound of seagulls above was music to my ears. It had been a long time since I left the city.

           “It’s really pretty here.” Jack’s voice was low as he came up beside me. “I can see why you have mixed feelings about it.”

           My eyes followed the workers who hurried to set up decorations on the back patio. “I don’t have mixed feelings about the house. I have mixed feelings about a couple people in it.”

           Jack placed one of his hands on my shoulder and gently squeezed. “Remember we don’t have to spend the whole night at the party.” He flashed a brilliant smile before disappearing into the house.

           I sat alone in my room for a while. Call it procrastinating or reminiscing, either way it wasn’t good for me. The memories that flooded through my head of my teenage years hit me like a truck that forgot to brake. Pictures of girls who I thought I was friends with haunted me with memories of lies and betrayal. My bed was burning hot from the shoebox full of mistakes hidden underneath it; locked away from sight. The picture of my ex and me on my bedside table made me sick and even the presence of his forgotten belongings made me want to burn this place to the ground. I felt that by even standing here, I’d fall back into the hell hole that was my past.

           “Cass,” Theo’s voice rang out just seconds before he opened my bedroom door. “Dude, why aren’t you ready!” His voice jumped an octave at the sight of me sitting on the edge of my chaise lounge in jeans.

           “Dude, what if I’d been naked? Knock.” I picked up a lime green throw pillow and chucked it at him.

           Theo didn’t flinch as the pillow landed a few feet in front of him. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been scarred by your nakedness.” He howled before jolting back into his room.

           I shivered at the thought before getting up and locking the door so that he couldn’t do it again even though I knew that the spare key was just down the hall in the antique console table. I automatically looked down at my watch and my heart jumped. I had been sitting there for over two hours and now I only had an hour till people begin to show up in their fancy cars and designer suits.

           I quickly pulled out the red dress from its zipped bag and at that moment I was happy that I had taken the extra time to shave my legs in the shower this morning. Within a few minutes my makeup had been touched up and refined and I carefully braided and pinned my day old curls into as elegant of an up-do I could do without an extra pair of hands. Nights like these were when my teenage walk of shame makeovers came in handy. I knew how to look band new in fifteen minutes.

           “Laine?”

           “Come in!” I called as I fastened my pearl bracelet around my left wrist.

           Jack entered the room in a freshly pressed black three piece suit. His shoes were polished and his tie was straight. The scruff on his face was gone and his hair was perfectly styled. Everything about him screamed wealthy business man and it made me proud to know he had dressed himself.

           “Can you zip me up?” I stood up from the vanity and straightened the dress.

           Ever so gently, Jack pulled the delicate zipper up until the dress was safely secure. “You look nice.” He muttered into the mirror at me; his breath tickling my neck.

           I let out a deep breath as I put on my pearl earrings. “How much you want to bet my Mom will rip me apart the moment I walk out of here.”

           “The only reason she would ever say such a thing is because she’s jealous.” He looked me in the eyes through the mirror.

           “Thank you.” I smiled as I stepped into my heels. “Are you ready?” I turned and ran my hands over his jacket just to make sure it was smooth.

           Jack nodded slightly but I could still feel the tension that surrounded him. After nearly two years working with me he still wasn’t great with interacting with people of a higher class than he was used to. He could talk to the gang bangers like he had known him his whole life but he clammed up when he had to even ask a colleague a question.

           As the party began to start, Jack positioned himself at a table with Theo; talking about sports or something like that. I felt relieved that he wasn’t following me around like a puppy whilst the watching eyes of my parents’ peers gossiped about who he was. It was easier to not answer the awkward questions of our relationship status when there were a million other awkward questions I had to answer anyway.

           The first floor of the house was full of people I didn’t know or hadn’t seen since college. Older men gawked at me from afar and women politely asked stupid questions to make it less awkward when they didn’t know what to talk about. Rich business men and women sipped champagne and snacked on expensive appetizers while signing huge checks to this years’ biggest fad charity. It was incredibly ridiculous but I couldn’t say anything because this was who I was supposed to be.

           “Cassandra,” An older woman who I couldn’t remember pretended to kiss my cheek. “You have grown up to become such a beautiful woman.” She looked me up and down; trying not to let her judgment cross her face.

           I took a sip of my champagne and pretended to have some kind of idea who she was. “Why thank you!”

           I stood there for what seemed like forever as she gossiped about her granddaughter and how she disapproved of her life choices as a sixteen year old. I could almost feel my brain melting as she went on and on. It only got worse when some other women joined our conversations with their own horror stories of ‘delinquent’ teenage children and grandchildren. They would probably shit themselves if I told them the things I did on the floor they were currently standing on.

           “Cassie Laine.” A hand landed on my shoulder and it made me jump slightly but the voice was what made my spine shiver.

           I turned; hoping it wasn’t who I thought it was but unfortunately it was. “Ryland,” I tried to fake a smile as I stepped away from the group of women.

           Ryland Dane stood there in the flesh with his tailored three piece suit and pretty brown eyes; a bottle of champagne in his hand. It was a face I hadn’t seen in years yet knew so well as if I had seen him yesterday. He looked nearly the same as he had in college with that sharp jaw line and perfectly full lips. His perfect smile shined brightly as he looked me up and down in an attempt to either assess my assets or my read my body language. Either way, he was intrigued.

           Ryland nodded toward the open door that led out to the patio. “It’s been a long time.” Ryland’s low voice melted like butter on a hot skillet.

           I let a smile cross my face as I pretended not to be completely uneasy at the fact the man I had once planned to marry stood in front of me. “Yeah, it has been.” I breathed as I followed him out the door and onto the breezy patio.

           Ryland looked at me in that low light the exact way he had on the day of our first date. “From what your mom said, you’ve been doing pretty well.” His eyes met mine before glancing out into the bay as a boat buzzed past.

           “I am. I’m in a really good place.” I finished my glass of champagne before Ryland filled it up again. “What about you? Wife? Kids?”

           A little chuckle escaped Ryland’s already grinning mouth before shaking his head. “No wife and no kids.”

           “Wow,” I raised my eyebrows at him. “Not even a contender?”

           “Nope,” He filled his own glass back up with the bubbling liquid. “I hate to say it and it sounds so cliché but there hasn’t been anyone serious since you walked out the door.”

           I felt as if a hot knife stabbed me in the chest at his words. I shouldn’t feel that way but I did and it felt horrible. “Well you’d be glad to hear that I’ve been in the same boat since that day.” I awkwardly adjusted my bracelet so the clasp was out of sight.

           “You know,” Ryland began with a laugh. “I used to be so afraid that I’d lose you to someone better. That was my biggest fear; some guy would rush in and sweep you off your feet.” He looked down at his glass. “And to think that that fear was what would drive you away.”

           I took a big swig of my champagne because I wasn’t drunk enough for the conversation we were about to have. “Ry,” I sighed. “I just wasn’t ever going to be happy being a trophy wife.”

           “I knew that from the beginning.” His bright smile erupted into a laugh. “Remember that day when we were at one of your sorority charity functions and I was talking to some donors about some fraud scandal and the moment you walked up and they didn’t acknowledge you, you started talking about all the technical things the guy did to get caught.” His shoulders bounced as he laughed. “They couldn’t even make a comeback remark because you knew more about it than they ever did.”

           “In my defense, one of those guys said something sexist about how I had no idea what I was talking about.” I laughed at the memory. “I just hated being shut out because I was a stupid girl.”

           Ryland shook his head at me. “You were never stupid. You have always been brilliant.”

           “You didn’t think that when we were together.” I spoke a little too harshly than I should have.

           “Cass,” Ryland sucked in a sharp breath. “You were the most intimidating woman I had ever met. You were this spitfire girl with a chip on her shoulder that kept getting deeper.” He sat his glass down on one of the patio tables. “I was so afraid of you. Hell, my father was afraid of you. He was so afraid that you’d damage my image so I freaked out being the dumb kid I was.”

           “I changed everything about myself to please you, Ryland.” I snapped. “I loved you so much that I wanted to be that person for you but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t do it.” I took a deep breath to try not to lose my shit. Not here and not now.

           Ryland hung his head in shame. “I’m sorry.” His voice sounded like a broken record. “I’m sorry that I tried to change you but I’m not sorry that I loved you.”

           I could feel my heart skip a beat as he said those words again. I never thought I’d ever have to speak to Phillip Ryland Dane ever again after the day we broke up but here we were, talking about the things we never wanted to. It made me sick to my stomach at the mix of sorrow and rage that came with those words and those memories and that man. God, did it make me sick.

           “When you went out and changed your major and broke the mold, I was so jealous of you. And when I saw you on campus, you looked happier then I had ever seen you and it broke my heart.” Ryland took a swig out of the champagne bottle. “And look at you now.” He waved his hand up and down the length of my body. “Hotter than hell, great job, happy life, and I’m so jealous but I’m so proud of you. If I could go back and not be a complete dick, I would because I would do anything to still be with you.”

           I could feel the lump in my throat get bigger as he spoke. Every word was like an ice pick it my gut in an attempt to either dismantle me or strengthen me. I could tell that our break up had left a large impact on his life and I suddenly felt bad about it. Back then we were young and stupid but we did love each other more than anything and now we were both bitter from it. We were both hurting and it took us years to confront it face to face.

           “Cassie, I don’t know how to make this right.” Ryland’s dark eyes searched mine. “I don’t know how to make you not hate me.”

           “I don’t hate you, Ryland.”  I closed my eyes to avoid eye contact. “I could never hate you. Pissed at you? Maybe.” A small smile broke across my face. “But I still was in love with you.”

           As the words escaped my mouth I could feel the heaviness lift from my shoulders. I had loved Ryland so much even though we fought constantly and we hurt each other in the process. The two of us were just too damn immature to understand each other but we damn well knew that we were in love. Everyone saw it. Tabloids and social pages didn’t have to write about it for it to be true because our love was actually real. It was dirty and nasty and downright apocalyptic at the time but it was as real as the air we breathe.

           Ryland had this sort of glimmer in his eyes I hadn’t ever seen. It was this vulnerable look that was so out of characteristic from the better-than-everyone Rylan I had known. I know I had always painted him as a harsh and controlling person but I also knew him as caring and loving. He, like me, had been molded into this perfect person that our parents and social circle wanted us to be. The only difference was that I had enough balls to break the mold.

           “Do you wanna ditch this party and go for a walk with me?” Ryland smiled over at me after a few moments of silence.

           I rolled my eyes at him. “And where would we walk?” I motioned around at the bay.

           Ryland pulled his suit jacket off and hung it on the railing. “I don’t know. Sometimes it’s better to not have direction.” He looked like a child as he eagerly stripped his vest and tie off.

           “What are you doing? You are not going to go walking around here naked are you?” I glanced around to see if anyone was watching from inside.

           “I’m not going to get naked. I’m just tired of wearing this shit.” His laugh was soft and lighthearted as if we hadn’t of just had the deepest conversation of our lives a few moments ago.

           The funny thing about Ryland was his ability to change his mood and aura in a blink of an eye. He could be ready to fight someone then turn around and write you a love letter without skipping a beat. It was so bizarre because I used to avoid him after an argument but five minutes later he would call me up and ask me to do something light hearted and fun as if I hadn’t just freaked out at him. I don’t know if it was just a way with coping or it was just the way he was. Either way, Ryland had a gift that I could only wish to have.

           “If you wear those heels, your feet will swell and you’ll complain all day tomorrow.” Ryland pointed down to my Louboutins.

           I rolled my eyes and gently stepped out of them and suddenly became several inches shorter. “You are right about the complaining.” I sighed as I soaked in the feeling of the cool hard concrete underneath me.

Signed With A Kiss - The Laine Siblings

By the time we got back to the office, Chase had promptly thrown all my scattered paperwork and belongings into file boxes and stacked them in the corner. Maintenance had cleared my furniture out and promptly placed the donation receipt on top of the pile of boxes. This is the first time I’ve actually seen my office so clean.

I overslept way longer than I should have. I missed two alarms and now I’m rushing to get ready for work. Thank God that I have leftover pizza in the fridge because there is no way that I have time to fix anything to eat. I barely have enough time to make a cup of coffee. Jack kept me out way too late last night and now my sleep cycle is fucked.

JACKS POV

           I stand in front of the mirror of my studio apartment bathroom, making sure everything was in place. A spray of cologne and I’m ready to go. James Dean had nothing on me. The thing is I don’t know why I’m taking this so serious. I mean, Agent Laine was technically the reason I got this job so this dinner is just a way to say thank you. Plus, if we were going to be coworkers, we need to have some kind of relationship that isn’t just one sided. She knows everything about me and I don’t even know her first name. I just hope I’m not too dressed up.

             “God Bless Jen.” I laugh to myself as I start unloading food out of the refrigerator and onto the granite countertops. There was no better feeling than having a fridge full of food. If Jen wasn’t around to stock it, I’d probably die of starvation or die or gain a thousand pounds from fast food. Either way, I owe my life to her.

           “What do you want to drink?” Jack asks as he opens the door of the kitchen island drink cooler.

           “One of those orange smoothie things!” I call as I spoon cheese dip into a bowl and popped it into the microwave.

           Jack slides the bottle across the island before pulling plates out of the cupboard. “Chips?” He asked as he entered the pantry and tossed a bag of tortillas onto the island.

           “Yeah, I’ll grab the salsa.” I pulled a jar of salsa from the fridge and pull the cheese out of the microwave to stir it.

           Over the last few months these late night feasts had become a habit for Jack and me. Thanks to him I’ve gotten into a normal eating habit of three meals a day due to the mere fact that he has dinner with me almost every night. Jack pretty much knew my kitchen better than I did which wasn’t saying much because I rarely used it. I just knew that there was food ready in the fridge and snacks in the pantry.

           After all the food was ready I took a warm tortilla from the plate and lathered it with hot cheese. “You know, I always loved this kitchen.” I placed the tortilla on my plate and forked some fajita chicken and peppers on it. “It’s a lot like the one my parent’s had in the house I grew up in.”

           Jack opened a can of pop and made his own plate. “This kitchen is about the same size of my whole apartment if you add the powder bath.” He pointed his fork over his shoulder toward where the bathroom was on the other side of the wall.

           I shove a chip covered in salsa in my mouth. “I’ll admit that powder bath is ridiculously large” I cover my mouth so I could talk without looking like and imbecile.

           “It has a fountain in it.” Jack gave me that ‘that was an understatement’ look that he gives me all too often.

           “You’re right.” I let out a little laugh at the concept of a powder bath looking more like a country club lounge with a toilet and sink. I lifted myself up onto the counter and put my plate in my lap. “This house is just…” I made a vague gesture around at the crown moldings and expensive chandelier.

           “I’ve only been from the front door to this room and I can tell this places is over the top.” Jack laughed as he took the last bite of his fajita.

           “Mmm!” I shoved half my rolled up fajita into my mouth and sat the plate on the counter next to me. “You have no idea!” I hopped off the counter. “I’ll show you.” I grabbed Jack by the hand.

           “Okay, do I need to pack a cooler or?” Jack joked.

           I rolled my eyes at him. “There will be drinks along the way!” I cracked a joke back as a pushed open one of the doors to the kitchen. “There’s a little dining area in here.” I flipped on the lights to reveal a fully set table that would be in a suburban home. “Used it maybe once.”

           “Little? That still sits six people.” Jack shook his head at me.

           “Come.” I yanked on his arm as I pushed the swinging doors out and into the hallway. “This is the formal dining. Never used.” I pulled one of the heavy oak doors open to reveal the twenty person dining table set. The room looked like it was built for a royal family with it’s crown molding and fancy décor.

           Jack just stared as we walked through the room; trying not to touch anything.

           I pulled him through the other end of the room and into my little indoor sun room. “I love this little room in the mornings.” I gushed at the white table surrounded by plants. “I eat breakfast here sometimes when it’s warm. I would open up the doors and just sit here by myself.” I flipped one of the light switches on the hall wall on. “Technically it was designed for a covered smoking area for parties but there are no parties.”

           Jack looked up at the class ceiling. “It must be really nice.”

           “And this is the little ballroom for the parties I don’t have.” I lead Jack through a set of double doors at the end of the hall; flipping on lights as I go. The room had a fireplace and a large door opening to the pool but there was not a piece of furniture to be found. “I always kind of thought I’d put in some dance equipment but I never did.”

           “You’re a dancer?” Jack let out a chuckle.

           I let go of his hand. “I was a ballerina!” I spun myself across the waxed hard wood floor. “I also did a little jazz and some formal dances for important crap that I only ever had to do three times.”

           Jack stuck his hands in his pockets and peered around the room. “It would be a good studio if you ever got into it again.”

           I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m too busy for it but maybe if I ever had a daughter…” I waved him on toward the main entrance to the ballroom. “You’ve walked through the sitting room and the big foyer.” I lead him down the hall and through the grand foyer toward the side entrance.

           “Your side entrance has a foyer?” Jack waited a second then continued. “I shouldn’t be surprised.” All of a sudden he stopped and turned to his right. “You have a freaking elevator?” He dramatically waved his hands at the elevator door.

           “Would I really make my guests lug their bags all the way up to the third floor!” I dramatically rolled my head around with enough sarcasm to kill a man. “And yes, there is a small sitting room and foyer for that entrance but we are going this way.” I head down the left hallway. “We have our pool bathroom, sauna, and pool utility room. Basically all for the outdoor pool for when I have pool parties and I’ve never had.” I wave toward the outdoor pool. “Everything is in a convenient area so no one tracks water everywhere.”

           Jack opened the sauna door. “It’s big enough for a football team.” He closed the door and hurried to follow her.

           “There’s the gym I don’t use.” I laugh sarcastically as I flip the light on to illuminate a room full of equipment that has been only used a handful of times.

           “Laine, you have better equipment than most gyms.” Jack grumbled from behind her.

           “Well, if you ever want to work out, you totally can!” I flipped the lights off and shut the door. “I’ll probably never use it.”

           “Is that another patio?” Jack turned raised his eyebrows at the lightly lit sitting area.

           “Yeah, actually.” I pointed out into the darkness. “There’s a basketball goal on the other side of the driveway. I kind of thought it would be a good place to sit out when my kids are playing outside.”

           “So, this is the garage.” Jack opened the heavy wooden door.

           I slid in and searched the wall for all the light switches till I found them. “Garage, shop, storage unit, and everything else.” I grumbled as the florescent lights flickered on to reveal the massive man cave.

           Jack just stared speechlessly into the massive room.

           My garage wasn’t just a little garage. For whatever reason my parents thought that they needed to make this garage big enough for an Airbus. The room had been built with storage in mind so all five stalls were fashioned to have raisers for multiple cars as well as room to add another set in front. Although I had all the possibility in the world, I only let them install three just to make my father happy. Most of the garage was just storage for a bunch of crap I never use.

           I walk myself through the open aisle. “As you know, I drive my Audi.” I waved my hand around as if I was presenting it. “I rarely use the suburban or the jeep.” I motion to the two other matt black vehicles. “And that’s all storage for tools and outdoor crap.” With a nod of the head a dismiss the wall of cabinets.

           “You have a boat too?” Jack slid past me toward the two year old thirty-foot Sea Ray that barely fit inside the garage. “And Seadoos.” His voice raised an octave at the sight.

           I just let out a nervous chuckle. “My parents thought I’d like to have the capability to go out on the river.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “That gift came with all that crap.” I gestured over to the shelves of boating accessories that had never been unpackaged. There was everything from floating islands to skis perfectly stacked in wire shelves. Only a few things had been used by my brother and even then they still looked brand new.

           Jack let out a deep sigh as his eyes searched the room. “How do you have all this stuff and never use it?”

           “I do use some of it.” I try to sound convincing but I know I was failing horribly. “I’m just busy all the time. I mean the only time I’m not with you is when I’m here sleeping.”

           “Well by the look of the first floor I’d say that you probably spend your life in your room because you’d never have to leave it for anything except work.” He didn’t laugh but he looked amused at his statement.

           I didn’t say anything because he was spot on with that statement. I ate in the kitchen, lived in my room, and spent my days at work. I hadn’t use 90% of my house except for the occasional weekend with Theo but it made me feel better that he used most of my stuff himself. At least someone was using it.

           “Okay, so shall we move on to the next floor to this skyscraper?” Jack interrupted my thoughts.

           “Yeah,” I mumbled and wave him back into the house. “We’ll use the side stairs to the second floor.” I lead him back through the hallways toward the side entry where the service stairs were.

           As the two of us climbed the stairs Jack stopped about half way up. “When you were growing up did you just have everything at your house?”

           I reached the top of the staircase and looked down at him. “It was more of my parents buying our love. They thought if they gave us whatever we wanted then we would be happy which was pretty much true.” I waved him on. “Dad was gone all the time and Mom did all the social stuff. The three of us were raised by our parents’ staff which meant we ran the house.”

           Jack continued up the stairs. “So let me guess, you filled the void irresponsibly.”

           I let out a little laugh. “Bingo.” I shook my head at the memories flying through my mind. “My older brother William is two years older than me and Theo is three years younger. When I was a senior in high school, Theo was a freshman, William was a sophomore at George Washington University, and our parents were in China overseeing the building of Dad’s new skyscraper. We were never alone in our house. It was like a massive party every night because if there wasn’t anything going on we’d be left in a giant black hole with our thoughts.”

           “So you did what every angst filled teenager does.” Jack followed me through the halls.

           “Those are just bedrooms.” I note as we walk through the hall. “The phrase ‘money can’t buy happiness but it makes misery a whole lot better’ was the epitome of my life as a teenager. Mommy and Daddy weren’t around so we did whatever we could to get their attention.” I ran my hand over the wall till I find the door to the upper part of the library. “There were a lot of nights I don’t remember from high school and college.”

           “Do you still speak with them? You make it sound like you hate ‘em.” Jack followed me into the library.

           “Well yeah. I still go to their social stuff. We email each other. I get packages with little notes inside that say anything along the lines of ‘Thought you’d like this, thinking of you’.” I mock my mother’s snooty high pitched voice.

           “Sounds like great parenting.” Jack commented as we walked the second story of the library. He ran his fingers over the shelves of books that had never been moved. His eyes searched the titles as they walked aimlessly.

           I shrugged. “I don’t know. It wasn’t a bad childhood. I got to do so many things and meet so many people.” I slid into the foyer’s catwalk. “I’m not complaining because I don’t feel that I ever really needed them in my life.”

           Jack took the opposite way around the circular catwalk. “So you went from a house full of people to an empty house by yourself.”

           “You’re here so I’m not actually alone.” I joke as we cross over to the west wing of the house.

           “That’s really sad actually.” Jack let out a hardy laugh.

           I rolled my eyes at him. “This is the game room.” I opened a heavy wooden door and flipped on the lights to reveal a very speak-easy type room that looked as if it were built in the 20s.

           The game room was one of my favorite places in my home despite never using it. The custom pool table, dark leather booths, wall of every kind of liquor ever made, and nice romantic lighting made me feel as if I should be wearing a flapper and listening to jazz music. I had specifically asked for it to be as vintage as possible. I just always thought I was in a mobster movie when I was in there.

           Jack ran his hand over the felt top of the pool table as her observed the stacks of liquor bottles. “This is really cool, Laine.”

           “The wine cellar back there is even better.” I point toward a wooden door behind the bar. “Every gift I ever received was wine and it’s all stored back there so if you ever have a hot date let me know.” I laugh as I spin one of the bar stools with my finger.

           “What’s back there?” Jack nods toward the far white glass wall with a door in the center of it.

           “Oh!” I scurry over and twist the little monitor on the edge of the bar. I tap the screen to life and hit the buttons to turn on the lights. With a tap of the finger the white glass appears clear and the room behind it is revealed.

           Jack tosses his head back and looks over at me. “Really?”

           “I said it was a game room.” I gazed blankly at him.

           The other half of my game room was more game room than bar. On the other side of that glass was practically a Dave and Busters with arcade games, air hockey, and even ski ball. It was everything a ten year old and middle aged dad loved dearly. Every vintage game and modern craze was shoved in a strobe light abyss that clashed horribly with my bar which is why the glass was put up.

           Jack walked along the glass; peering at the contents of the room. “What, no Xbox?” When he looked back at my face he rolled his eyes. “Nevermind.”

           “Come on.” I called as I turned off the lights with my monitor.

           We walked through the man living room and large ballroom at the end of the hall. The ridiculous size of the two rooms was meant for entertaining but the only thing they have ever entertained was the floor guys when they waxed the floors once a year. It was sad that they weren’t put to use but maybe in time they would be.

           “Aren’t we going up to the third floor?” Jack asked as I began to climb down the stairs to the foyer.

           “All that’s up there are guest bedrooms and guest kitchens. Unless you want to see my master.”  I held onto the fancy oak and cast iron railing.

           Jack’s face contorted in thought. “That’s probably too personal.”

           I rolled my eyes at him and climbed back up the stairs. “We have completely passed way too personal. Come on.” I brushed my hand over his upper arm as I began to climb the stairs upward and lead him through the halls to my bedroom.

           My master bedroom was its own house to an extent. The bedroom was divided by partial walls to keep the ‘bedroom’ and the ‘sitting room’. The door opened to little hallway that was covered in pictures and lead to a little sitting area. A small sofa and chair sat in front of a partial wall containing a fireplace and flat screen TV. The ceiling above the sitting area was stained glass that looked like it should belong to a church and the tall windows were covered in heavy curtains. It was a little darker than the rest but it was the way I liked it.

           “No wonder you don’t leave your room.” Jack laughed as he looked at the picture frames on the mantle.

           “Yeah I have everything in here.” I walked around the partial wall to the actual ‘bedroom’.

           My actual bedroom was very serene. It was dark and warm and the bed was big and soft. I had too many pillows and the comforter weighed twice as much as I did but I still loved it. The four poster bed was antique with a uniquely carved design on it. My nightstands were covered in picture frames and candles. An antique table sat against the wall under a painting with a big vase of flowers and pictures covering it. In front of the window on the opposite wall was home to an antique writing desk that kept home to my actual belongings like my laptop and array of crap I actually used. The room didn’t exactly look like anyone lived in it but that was because if Jen didn’t keep her stuff straight then it would be a disaster.

           “You live in here?” Jack raised his eyebrows at me.

           “No, I live in the shed out back. This isn’t my house.” I said with as much sarcasm as I possibly could.

           Jack opened his mouth to say something but then quickly shut it before stepping around the bed and opening the door to the master bathroom. “Of course. Wouldn’t have guessed any less.” He called as he flipped the light on.

           His recreation of the large bathroom was to be expected. I had turned the ‘his-and-hers’ vanities into a giant makeup display with everything I could ever possibly want. The tub was big enough for ten people and the shower was just as big. The bathroom wasn’t just a bathroom. It was five star spa.

           I followed him into the bathroom and took a seat on the little ottoman in the center of the room. “Before you say it, yes I’ve used that massive bathtub.”

           Jack opened one of the crystal canisters next to the tub sunken bath tub. “Women’s bathrooms have so many weird things.” He leaned over to smell the contents which happened to be an array of colored bath bombs. “Do you really need all these products?” He waved erratically at the collection of bottles and containers of brightly colored products.

           “After walking through this house you’re concerned with the amount of soaps I have?” I blurt out in laughter. “Then you better not go into the closet.” I try to compose myself but I can’t.

           Jack just glared wide eyed at me before opening a door. “Oh my god. You actually have a regular toilet!” He called from the little room that held the toilet separate from the rest of the room.

           “Holy shit!” I call as I pull my hair up into a bun on top of my head. I watch Jack go across the room and open the door to my closet.

           “Dude,” He yelled an octave higher than normal. “You buy literally one of everything in every color!”

           I can hear his footsteps get farther away as he walks the length of the closet. “If you need any evening gowns I got you covered!” I call while trying not to burst out in laughter.

           Jack’s appeared from the door and shut it. “If you ever get married, he’s going to have to live in that other bedroom because there is no way you can fit anyone else’s stuff in that closet.”  He jabbed his thumb toward the closet.

           “Okay, number one if I’m sharing a closet I’d change out clothing for seasons and keep the out of season stuff in storage!” I defended myself with a laugh. “Not all that has to be in there!”

           Jack rolled his eyes at me. “Well thanks for showing me what it’s like to live like a millionaire.” He shook his head at the room around him.

           “Who said we were done?” I jumped up from my seat and held out my hand. “We haven’t even seen the fun part yet!”

           “You’re joking.” Jack stared at me.

           “I’m not!” I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door. I was halfway expecting him to let go of my hand when we entered the hallway but he didn’t. My hand felt so tiny in his but it was kind of comforting.

           “We’re taking the elevator?” He asked as we passed the second staircase.

           I released his hand to press the down button. “I mean we could run down four flights of stairs but that could possibly be dangerous.” I laughed as the door opened and I pressed the basement button.

           “So you’re going to take me down to the basement, kill me, and leave my body because no one would ever find me in this house.” Jack smiled as he watched the numbers change on the little screen above the buttons.

           “You’ve soiled my plan!” I laugh as the elevator slowed to a stop and the doors slide open. I take his hand and drag him down the hall way. “Bathroom, utility, and…” I push the glass door open. “Pool”

           Jack, still clutching my hand, dragged me into the room. “Seriously?”

           “Have I lied to you yet?” I chuckled; pulling him toward the edge of the pool and dipping my toe in. “It’s temperature controlled for year around swimming.” I wave my arm as if I was presenter on The Price Is Right.

           “Please tell me you at least this?” He stared at me with that murderous gaze.

           “Well,” My voice raised an octave.

           “If you say no I will personally throw you into the pool!” He warned; gripping my hand tighter.

           “I have!” I jump back from the edge of the pool. “If you throw me in the pool, I can’t show you the rest!” I pull him back toward the door hoping he wouldn’t sling shot me into the warm water.

           Jack’s harsh stare turned into a little half smile as he let me drag him away from the pool. “Fine. But someday I will throw you in there.”

           I pulled him through the door and shut it safely behind us. “Yeah, no you will not.” I laugh at him as I drag him down the hall.

           “Where is this Laine when we are in public?” Jack followed willingly behind me.

           “What do you mean?” I raise my eyebrows at him as we walk.

           Jack let out a little laugh. “This cute Laine who laughs and smiles and jokes around. When you’re out there you look like your about to rip someone’s throat out with your teeth.”

           I thought about it for a second because he was kind of right. When I got into this field I became the underdog because I was a pretty sorority girl that wore designer clothes bought with Daddy’s money. I had to become a cold faced bitch to be taken seriously and that’s why I gained respect. I had left the ‘cutesy’ part of me back on sorority row and I wasn’t ashamed to say it. I liked this version of my a lot more than that one.

           “You have no room to talk because I can say the same for you!” I let go of his hand as we turn the corner around the storage room.

           “Touché” A smug smile crosses his face in almost a prideful way. It was the same smile he had given me a hundred times when I sassed him or made other people sound stupid.

           I continued down the hallway. “Do not look to your right or I will murder you.” I warn Jack we pass a set of Plexiglas windows that look out over the dark gymnasium I had built in my basement. I open the door to the viewing room and flip on all the lights. “Now you can look to your right.”

           “Wait,” Jack stepped passed me and the stadium seats to get closer to the glass. “You have a full basketball court?” His eyes lit up like a little kid in a candy store.

           “It’s a multipurpose room.” I point up at the ceiling. “The goals go up and a volleyball net can come down.” I then point down at the short room length garage door that was at the base of the wall under the Plexiglas windows we had walked by. “There’s a roller in there that rolls out turf if you want to play soccer or football.”

           Jack just stared at me. “Did your parents build this is mind for you or was there some confusion with your brothers?”

           “My parents had more of my kids in mind than me. As a kid we lived in our ‘rec wing’. During dinner parties we’d sneak away and go play games in our designer clothes.” I had to laugh at the memory of getting yelled at by my mother for playing basketball in my couture dress.

           The multipurpose room was one of my favorite aspects of my house because it reminded me so much of my childhood. The only real difference between my parents’ and mine was that mine was updated with a new center court scoreboard and hand painted walls. It was a place that I had spent my childhood on that home court with my brothers. I used to shoot free throws for hours when I was pissed off or sad because nothing could go wrong in a place like that.

            Jack gazed at the hand painted walls that looked like the inside of a sold out sports arena. “Is there anything else in this house? Maybe Narnia or Hogwarts?”

           I let out a laugh. “There could be. You never know.” I reached out and flipped off the series of light switches I had turned on. “I have two more things to show you.”

           “Show on.” Jack said as he opened up the door for me to exit.

           I reentered the hallway and made gestures to another Plexiglas wall. “Batting cage.” We kept walking toward the end of the hall.

           Jack stopped at an unmarked door. “What’s in here?” He jabbed his thumb toward the door.

           “It’s just an empty room.” I waved him on but he opened it to peer in. “It was built for a kids playroom but I don’t have kids so I didn’t finish it.” I shrugged it off.

           “Do you want kids?” Jack asked as he shut the door and continued down the hall toward me.

           I ran my fingers over the white textured walls. “I’d like to but I’d like to be married first and there hasn’t been a man in my life for over three years. My resting bitch face has a habit of making them run.”

           “That’s not exactly true.” Jack emphasized the key word ‘exactly’.

           “Yeah, I know the way men look at me. A long pair of legs and short dress can pull every guys attention no matter where we are.” I leaned against the wall and looked back at Jack. “I still get hit on by grown men and teenage boys but come on.” I roll my eyes dramatically. “You’ve been around me long enough to realize why.”

           Jack shoved his hands in his pocket and avoided eye contact. “Cassie,” He began. “I know you hate to hear this but it’s kind of your own fault.” Jack looked into my eyes; pleading for mercy. “You spend all your time at work and the rest locked up in this castle. You don’t give anyone the chance to be anything more than that. The men in your life are either family or you treat them like it. I’m in your life because you got me hired for some bizarre reason I don’t understand.” His shoulders bounce under his button up. “Your smile could make the world fall in love with you but you won’t let anyone see it.”

           I suck in a breath of air; not realizing I was holding my breath. The only person who had ever blamed me for being alone was my mother and I was so afraid to be like her that I wouldn’t do what she’d say but he was right and so was she. I refused to let anyone in because I was too stubborn to even give a person the opportunity. Everyone else gave me one so why wouldn’t I give one to them.

           “Cassie,” He let out a boisterous laugh. “Do you not see that half those men sitting in our meetings would die to have a chance with you? Chase is the epitome of them all. It’s been a year and he still hates me because I took you away from him. He’s the top prospect on the ‘Agent Laine Boyfriend’ list.”

           I look and Jack in shock. He had never once stood up and talked anyway other than kindly to me. In this moment he looked more vulnerable than he ever had. Jack’s eyes were clear as day but for once he wasn’t wearing a front. He was completely open and the words that were coming out of his mouth were his truths. It was so bizarre to see him this way when I was so used to the rock that was Jackson Harlow Jr that I met nearly two years ago.

           Jack just shook his head at me. “I hope someday you wake up and see that there are a line of guys that would give you the world.”

           I looked Jack directly in the eyes. “Are you one of them?”

Mix (2/?) - Agent Cassie Laine