you know what it gives?

Your life changed when you were 17. That was when Cassie McKay moved next door.

Cassie McKay is a coworker and friend of your mom’s. Your mom, Dana Evans, knew that Cassie was looking for a new place, so when the house next door went on the market, your mom suggested it to Cassie. Not too long after that, Cassie moved in with her son Harrison.

From the moment you met Cassie you were attracted to her. At the time, you were still exploring your sexuality, and Cassie really solidified things. You quickly developed a crush on your new neighbor.

She’s much older than you—she’s actually closer in age to your mom than she is to you. Cassie’s also an addict (though, she’s been in recovery for almost a decade now), a doctor, a mom, and not to mention your mom’s best friend. The reasons why you’d never be with Cassie are endless.

But a few months after you turned 18, something happened that gave you hope.

One night, you and your best friend Natalie Scatorccio got totally wasted at a party. It was one of your last parties before you left for college, so you really partied hard. Five shots in and half an hour of dancing later, and you and Natalie wanted to leave.

Since you were both drunk, neither of you were going to drive. Natalie didn’t have anyone trustworthy to call, but you did. You actually had multiple somebodies to consider asking to pick you and Nat up.

You’re the youngest of four daughters. Your oldest sister Louise lives an hour away and had two toddlers at the time, so she wasn’t an option. Your second sister Leah happened to be at a club when you called, and she wasn’t in a state where she could drive either. And your third sister Bella was away at college in New York.

None of your friends were an option since they were all also at the party. You didn’t want to have to call your mom and face the lecture she would give you. Your dad is a deadbeat you cut out of your life when you started high school, so he never even crossed your mind. The only other person you could think of was Cassie.

You called her that night and she picked you and Natalie up, no questions asked. She dropped your friend off first, then drove you home with her. Cassie ended up having to pull over twice so you could puke.

On the way home, you begged Cassie not to tell your mom. You felt bad about putting Cassie in the position where she had to lie, but you were scared shitless about how your mom would react to her perfect angel getting totally trashed. Reluctantly, Cassie agreed to stay quiet, but warned you that she would tell your mom if this happened again. She also told you she was proud of you for asking for a ride even if you could get in trouble for it instead of driving drunk.

Usually, you were fairly responsible—you were actually the designated driver most of the time. You’ve always been known as the mom of the group. People could count on you. Even though you’re the youngest child, you still carried a lot of responsibility. That’s why you getting trashed was so shocking to Cassie, and why she assumed it was going to be a one time thing.

By the time Cassie made it to your guys’ neighborhood, it was almost 1:00AM. Your mom had to cover a night shift, so luckily you didn’t have to worry about sneaking in the house. Cassie pulled into her driveway, and then walked you next door to your place. By that point you were more sober than when Cassie picked you up, but you were still definitely wasted.

On the car ride over, Cassie lectured you on the dangers of drinking from both a medical perspective and a personal one. It was annoying to hear, but you listened anyway. The stories Cassie told you about her personal negative experiences with drinking were actually interesting.

When she dropped you off at your front door, Cassie started bombarding you with hangover cures and doctorly advice. Time felt exponentially slow as she talked, alcohol still filtering through your body. Eventually you zoned out, focusing on how close was Cassie to you and trying to memorize every detail of her face underneath the dim porch light…

“Hellooo?” Cassie said as she realized your attention was elsewhere. “Are you even listening to me?”

“S-sorry,” you sputtered out. Your eyes dropped to Cassie’s lips then, slightly parted and looking so delicious. “You’re just… distracting.”

“Me?” Cassie asked with a chuckle, confused as to what was going through your mind.

“Yeah,” you confirmed. Your eyes flickered up to hers before you gaped at her lips again. “I was wondering what you taste like,” you boldly admitted to Cassie in a whisper, your body leaning closer to hers as her eyes widened in realization.

Cassie had never, ever looked at you more than her friend and coworker’s teenage daughter. Sure you were technically an adult now and were mature for your age, but the thought of even looking at someone still in their teenage years was absolutely disgusting to her.

Cassie always tended to go for younger people though. Chad, Harrison’s dad is four years younger than Cassie is, which isn’t a huge difference, but a difference nonetheless. When Cassie was 38, she hooked up with a 21 one year old woman and even that was pushing it for her.

Not too long after that, she met someone on a dating app who was really into milfs. The girl’s profile said she was 23, but come to find out, she was actually 19. Cassie discovered this before they slept together and broke contact with that girl once she found out the truth. Going forward, she gave up on dating apps and silently vowed to herself to never be with anyone who can’t legally drink.

Even after you flirted with her, Cassie couldn’t see you in a romantic or sexual way—she wouldn’t let herself. She wasn’t even around you much anyways. Cassie always knew that Dana, your mom and her coworker turned best friend, had four daughters and saw pictures occasionally. When she moved next door, she finally met you and only interacted with you briefly, usually in groups. Since then, she’s really only caught glimpses of you.

Those quiet moments where your mom and Cassie are hanging out at home and you venture past the living room to the kitchen for a drink of water or a snack. The short interactions before and after babysitting Harrison. When you’re in a group setting with her. The few times you’ve had dinner as a trio with her and your mom. When Cassie returns something she borrowed, or when you do the same on behalf of your mom. Really, the most time Cassie had spent with you without your mom was when you guys watched a movie after you babysat Harrison for her one time.

Still, she cared for your wellbeing.

Cassie was quiet for a long while after you made that drunk flirty comment, and the courage the alcohol in your system was giving you started fading. You were worried you majorly changed things between you and made things irreversibly awkward. Likely, Cassie was going to shut you down because why wouldn’t she?

But then she said something that took you by surprise.

“Honey, I don’t date anyone younger than 21,” Cassie stated to you plainly. There was no flirtatiousness or suggestiveness to her tone, but it still made you hopeful.

“Oh.” you gasped stupidly in surprise. “That’s— so… that means—”

“You’re too young right now.”

That night, Cassie didn’t say anything else to you after those five words.

She made sure you got inside your house safely before heading to hers next door. That night Cassie went to bed hoping that you would have no memory of your brief conversation. Despite her wishes, you did.

Neither of you brought up either of your admissions. You never really hung out with Cassie in the first place. Usually, you would see her in passing or if you babysat for her son. Because of that, it was hard to tell if Cassie was ignoring you or if you weren’t seeing her because you never saw her much prior to your drunken night. It seemed like she declined your advances gently, but you still held out hope for it to turn into something more one day.

Unbeknownst to you, Cassie was trying to avoid you. She still looked at you the same; as your mom’s kid. After you went to college, you would cross Cassie’s mind occasionally, but not much.

The first time you came home was the summer after your first year of college. It was then that you became harder for Cassie to forget. Dana, a proud mom, would tell Cassie stories about you and show her pictures. Slowly, she became more invested in your life. It always made her sad to hear how well you were doing.

When you went away to college in New York, Cassie was the last thing on your mind. But when you come back home for the summer, all of your feelings for her come rushing back.

You hadn’t seen her in almost two years. Last year, you didn’t see Cassie at all when you came home. She and Harrison went on a road trip that summer, and when you came home for Christmas, she was staying elsewhere with family.

You are now going into your senior year of college. Your sisters are busy with their lives, so it’s just going to be you staying with your mom this summer. You and your sisters Leah and Bella were just in Miami for a few weeks to kick off the summer.

You flew home last night, just in time for the Evans’ annual fourth of July barbecue. Though, it’s not really annual because there have been a few years where your mom has to work.

She usually invites some coworkers, Cassie included. She told you that this year there’s going to be people from her work closer in age to you. Apparently, there’s even a med student who’s younger than you that’s coming. Your mom said you would like her, and she told you in secret that she thinks the 20 year old is crushing on Cassie.

You had no right to be jealous at that, but you couldn’t help that you were. Since going away to college, you’ve dated, had hookups, and you were even in a relationship for almost a year. Yet, the thought of someone else even liking Cassie made you sick with jealousy.

At least this girl is 20—officially too young for Cassie to pursue. You, however, are 21 now and haven’t seen Cassie since two summers ago. You wonder if she’ll think you look different than how she remembers. If she’ll look at you different.

According to most, you physically matured at 16, your facial structure and body not changing much since then. Your style has stayed pretty consistent, upgraded a tad, but your hair is much shorter than it was two years ago.

Right before leaving for Miami, you got a fresh summer haircut. The only other notable change is the tramp stamp you got last spring break. Since the barbecue is also a pool party, you’ll get to show off your usually hidden ink.

You think about what swimsuit to wear for the party as you apply light makeup—nothing too bold for today. An hour ago, your mom finished setting up the barbecue with your help. From your bathroom, you can hear the sound of the backyard gate opening and closing along with faint chatter, guests starting to arrive.

Your heart races at the thought of Cassie coming. After all these years, you still have a silly little crush on her. That’s why you’re putting extra effort into your look today.

After you’re satisfied with your makeup, you head to your bedroom. You walk straight to the dresser and pull out the bathing suit that came to mind. Then, you use the mirror hanging against your door to make sure everything looks okay.

You’re wearing a bikini in your favorite color. The top is rather revealing and the bottoms cheeky. It’s definitely not your most scandalous swimsuit, but it’s far from conservative. If Cassie weren’t coming, you honestly probably would’ve gone with a suit that covers up more skin.

On top of your two-piece swimsuit, you throw on a mesh crochet coverup. You run your fingers through your hair and do a quick check in the mirror, vainly making sure you’re satisfied with your appearance. Before you head downstairs, you grab a clear lipgloss and apply it, giving your plump lips an extra shine.

Once you reach the backyard, a couple people have already arrived. You look around the yard and recognize the two fabulous nurses Princess and Perlah. Leah’s here too, chatting with your mom with her boyfriend at her hip like a puppy. Your stepdad Benji is here now, having to fix an electrical grid across town beforehand. You always thought your mom would end up with a woman seeing that she tended to lean towards girls, but you’re glad she found a good guy who makes her happy.

You approach your mom and sister. You last saw Leah last night since you were on the same flight back home to Miami, so you don’t have any catching up to do. You chat for a few minutes before Leah’s pulled away, greeting an old friend who came.

You’re left standing beside your mom, the summer heat buzzing and carrying the scent of sunscreen and chlorine. Folding tables are set up on the patio, snacks sitting on top of them. You’re pretty sure Robby is going to grill once he gets here.

“That’s Javadi,” your mom says, pointing a girl out who’s sitting beside the pool with a purple bikini, her feet dipped in the water.

“What’s her first name again?”

“Victoria.”

“I’ll talk to her sometime today.”

“I want you to have friends here,” Dana tells you. “Since you went away for college, you haven’t really kept in touch with your friends from high school.”

Your mom wasn’t wrong. You really didn’t have friends here anymore—not close ones anyway. Natalie never went to college and still lives here. You DM occasionally on Instagram, but you’ve drifted apart.

You assume the reason why your mom is so adamant about making new friends here is because she doesn’t want you to move out of state. You go to college in New York and you instantly fell in love, appreciating how lively and diverse it is. There’s definitely downsides and aspects you don’t like, but you enjoy living in the busy city.

“I know,” you tell your mom. “I promise I’ll go talk to them, okay?”

She gives you a nod, getting the hint that you don’t want to keep talking about this. “I like that coverup,” your mom tells you, gently tugging on the yarn on top of your shoulder. “Did you get it in Miami?”

“No, I actually got it a month before.” You smirk then, gently tapping Dana’s forearm with your elbow like she does to you. “So I would have it in Miami.”

Dana lets out a small chuckle. “Well I like it. It looks cute on you, hon.”

“Thanks,” you reply with a genuine smile.

“You definitely got my pretty genes,” she teases, then looking over your shoulder.

“I sure di—”

“Cassie!” you hear your mom call out, waving her over.

Inch by inch, you turn around and see her. Cassie. And she’s coming your way.

Her hair is darker than you remember, now a brunette with red undertones instead of ginger. And her face. God, her face.

You’re drawn to her blue eyes, her crow’s feet faintly visible from where you stand as she smiles at your mom. Cassie’s eyes flick to yours then, her smile slowly falling. She looks up and down your body as you do the same to her.

A blank tank top hugs Cassie’s figure, paired with blue jean shorts. There’s a golden chain resting on her chest, the same one she’s been wearing since you first met her. You can tell she’s been working out lately, her arms subtly more sculpted. Your eyes drop to her beefy thighs, looking at them far too long. When Cassie’s in arm’s reach, you look up again, her gaze already fixated on you.

“Kid,” Dana says, addressing you and patting your shoulder. “You gonna say hi?”

“Huh?” You whip your head to the side, your brows knitting together as you stare at your mom. “Oh!” you exclaim, your brain catching up. “Sorry, uh, yeah,” you turn to Cassie, “hi. It’s been a bit.”

“It definitely has,” Cassie says, sucking a breath behind her teeth. She folds her lips together, her dimples pressing into place. “So… what have you been up to you?”

You shrug, not having anything notable to share. “School and boring stuff like that.”

“How about you?”

“Same except work instead of school.”

“We really need to get out more,” you say with a laugh, Cassie chuckling as well.

When your laughter subsides, Cassie awkwardly nods, trying to think of something else to say to keep this conversation going. You rack your brain trying to come up with something interesting to tell her.

“I just got back from Miami.”

“Yeah, your mom told me,” Cassie replies, briefly looking at Dana before focusing on you again. “Did you have a good time?”

“I did. I’m still a bit jet lagged though. We went snorkeling, and this guy even offered to take me jet skiing.”

“Did you take him up on that?”

You nod with a smile, remembering that day. It was less than a week ago. “I may have,” you say, a sly expression on your face. “He offered so why not? After he asked me if I wanted to grab drinks, and I declined. After he showed me his jet ski, he was of no use to me,” you half-joke.

“Smart girl,” Dana tells you, a proud smile on her face. “Don’t go off with random boys.”

“He was actually in his forties, mom.”

“Still,” she exclaims, raising an arm to emphasize her point, “don’t run off with grown men either.”

“I promise,” you reply somewhat sarcastically, rolling your eyes as you do.

“Damn, you’re gone for two years and you’re running off with grown men now,” Cassie says with a tight chuckle.

“Nothing that means anything,” you tell her, one of the corners of your mouth twitching upwards into a smirk.

“Good,” Cassie replies lowly, a small grin of her own spreading across her face.

“What was it… two summers ago since you last saw each other?” Dana chimes in.

“I think so,” you answer.

“Oh, yeah. I went on that roadtrip with Harrison last year.”

“Where is Harrison? Is he coming?”

“Oh, he’s at his dad’s this year,” Cassie tells you, her voice slightly bitter at the mention of her ex.

“When do you have him again? I haven’t seen that kid in a long ass time. I bet he’s grown a million inches.”

Cassie chuckles and nods, her lips curving up softly as you ask about her son. “He’s definitely grown,” she confirms. “He just turned 12, so it won’t be long before he’s taller than me,” Cassie says with a sigh. “And I get him next Monday. I’m sure he’d love to see you.”

“Aww, perfect.”

“Jeez, kid, you sound like a mom excited to see her kid right now,” Dana jokes to you.

“I was his babysitter for a whole year and took him to the zoo and park when I wasn’t even babysitting him, I will gladly take the title of honorary second mother.”

“Better her than Chloe,” your mom mumbles under her breath to Cassie.

Cassie snorts at that and nods before looking back to you. “We’ll make sure to stop by next week. When are you free?”

“Literally anytime. I’m just here to relax this summer. No work. No school. No plans.”

“Alrighty,” Cassie says, an awkward pause then lingering until Dana speaks.

“Sweetie, why don’t you go in the pool and talk to Java— Victoria?” your mom suggests, breaking the silence.

You turn around and spot the girl sitting on the steps of the pool, barely submerged. Beside her is Samira Mohan. You recognize her from the last two Evans’ Fourth of July parties. Samira’s really sweet and easy to talk to.

“Okay,” you tell your mom as you look back to her.

“You remember Samira, right?”

“Yup. You introduced us, mom.”

“It’s important to socialize,” she replies. “I don’t want you cooped up at home all summer, ya gotta make some friends.”

You roll your eyes, not even considering arguing. “Okay, I’ll go over.” You start to take your coverup off, pulling it over your head as you add, “no promises.”

Dana glances up and down your body once the coverup is off, Cassie too. She doesn’t say anything though, instead she just says, “have fun, kid.”

You give a playful salute before turning around and walking to the pool. Cassie’s eyes are glued onto your back, slowly dropping her gaze to your half covered ass. Her lips are slightly parted, in awe of you.

The way your hips sway and every inch of your skin on display makes Cassie’s mouth water. She feels disgusting looking at you like this, but she can’t bring herself to look away either. Cassie hasn’t seen you in two years, and now she’s seeing almost all of you—both a blessing and a curse.

“Jesus,” Dana mutters under her breath, pulling Cassie out of her thoughts. “Her loving all the skimpy bathing suits is how you know that’s really my kid because I was the same way when I was her age.”

Cassie chuckles awkwardly at your mom’s comment. The words “that’s really my kid” and “when I was her age” hold weight that Dana didn’t intend. A reminder to Cassie about how wrong it is to want you like that.

The party’s been going on for a little over an hour now, and the backyard is packed with people. You’ve been talking with Samira and Victoria pretty much this whole time. You’re wading in the shallow end of the pool with them and three other doctors who work with your mom. Trinity, Dennis, and Mel.

Trinity had just finished telling you and the rest of the group about another one of their coworkers named Yolanda Garcia who isn’t here at the party. After a casual arrangement, the two are now officially together as a couple. Because of that, the whole emergency department is aware and talking about it.

“She stays over even more now,” Dennis, Trinity’s roommate and one of her best friends, complains.

“Suck it, Huckleberry.”

“She’s mean!”

“Stop being annoying then,” Trinity bickers, giving Dennis a side eye. “And I’ll tell her to get off your ass,” she adds, “only so I don’t have to hear your complaining anymore.”

“Thank you,” Dennis replied, a satisfied smile on his face which only makes Trinity roll her eyes, though you can spot a faint smile tugging on the corner of her lips.

“So are there any other workplace romances?” you ask.

“Samira might be bagging an attending,” Victoria says, giving her a knowing smile.

“Which attending?” you inquire curiously.

“Abbot,” Victoria answers.

“Abbot?!” you exclaim. “Jack Abbot.”

“Shhh, lower your voice!” Samira hushes you, quickly glancing around you guys to ensure no one else was paying attention.

“He’s not even here,” Trinity points out.

“Jack?” you repeat, your voice near a whisper now. “I’ve known that man since I was a kid,” you reminisce. “He gave me $200 as a high school graduation gift, and he once dropped off food for me and my mom when we were sick. He’s a good guy.”

“He is,” Samira agrees, a small smile on her face. “Lately it’s been a little flirty.”

“A little?” Trinity says sardonically, arching a brow.

“Quite a lot actually,” Mel corrects, earning a smirk from Trinity.

“Okay, whatever,” Samira says, brushing it off, although with a small smile on her face. “Let’s move on from me.”

“Crash?” Trinity asks Victoria as she turns to look at her.

“Oh. Me? Nothing’s going on.”

“Not even with McKay?”

Your heart stops for a brief moment as Cassie’s name comes out of Trinity’s mouth. You were already hooked in this conversation, but you’re fully invested now.

“What? McKay?!” Victoria exclaims, her voice a little high.

“It’s buzzy as fuck between you,” Trinity states. “Plus you have mommy issues.”

“Trin!” Victoria whisper shouts as she slaps Trinity’s arm with the back of her hand, water splashing up as she does so. “I guess she’s hot, but that would be weird to date her. It’s not something I’ve even thought about before.”

You don’t know Victoria well enough to know if she truly hasn’t ever considered dating Cassie or if she’s lying in an attempt to hide her true feelings. Either way, you’re bothered that she called Cassie hot. You have no right to be, but you are.

“Whatever you say,” Samira skeptically replies in a sing-song voice.

The conversation continues, slowing flowing into a new topic. You’re only half-listening, still stuck on the thought of Cassie dating Victoria. But then Mel says your name, your eyes finding her and your attention focusing back onto the group.

“Hm?”

“I asked if you want anything to drink. I’m going to grab some water and a Capri-Sun for Trinity.”

“Oh. Thank you for the offer. I think I’ll come with you.”

Mel smiles at you and you return it. The two of you walk through the water all the way to the steps of the pool. When you guys get out, you’re dripping wet on the cobblestone. You walk with Mel across the lawn to the cooler.

On the way, you pass by Cassie. She has a can of Coke in her hand and is leaning against a pillar chatting with Langdon. You give her a smile, and she does the same. Her eyes stay on you even after you walk past her.

You don’t have to turn around to know that she’s looking at you. Cassie’s stare burns into your back as you come to a stop in front of the cooler. You bend down, your knees straight, and open the ice chest.

“A Capri-Sun and water?” you ask, turning your head behind you to glance at Mel.

“Yes, please.”

You smile and give her a single nod. As you start to turn your head back to the drinks in the cooler, you lock eyes with Cassie. She looks mad almost. Her jaw is stiff, her eyes are dark, and her grip around the soda can is starting to crush it.

Sharply, you draw in a breath and look away. You grab a Capri-Sun and mini water bottle as requested, and a can of Sprite for yourself. When you stand back up, you hand Mel her and Trinity’s drinks.

“Thank you.”

“Of course,” you reply with a sweet smile.

“Are you coming back over?” Mel asks you, pointing to the pool.

“Um…” You glance around the yard, your not so subtle way of seeing if Cassie is still looking at you. You make eye contact with her for a split second, now knowing that she was still staring. Then you survey the rest of the yard before looking back at Mel. “I think I’m going to chat with other people for bit, but I’ll catch you guys later.”

“Okay,” Mel says with a soft smile, “have fun. I’ll see you later.”

Smiling, you nod a silent goodbye. Once Mel’s back is to you, you let out a breath you didn’t even realize you were holding. But then you spot Cassie again, your body tensing under her aggressive gaze.

Your mom walks up to your side then and swings an arm around your shoulder, breaking whatever silent standoff you and Cassie were having. She has a piece of watermelon in her free hand and pops the juicy fruit into her mouth.

“So? Did you kick it off with Victoria?” your mom asks as she swallows the watermelon.

“Yeah, she’s sweet.”

“Told ya.”

You scoff with a smile visible on your face. “Whatever. I also like the rest of them,” you tell your mom, pointing at the group in the pool you were just with.

“Good to hear, sweetie…” her voice trails off as she gets distracted by something. “Hey, McKay!” Dana calls out, waving her over.

Cassie excuses herself from her conversation with Langdon and strides over to where you and your mom are. Her eyes flicker to yours briefly before focusing onto Dana at your side.

“What’s up?”

“I just remembered that I forgot to bring the bean bag toss out. It’s sitting in my garage. Do you think you and y/n can set it up over there?” Dana asks, pointing to an empty stripe of the lawn. “Benji’s helping Robby grill, and I was just on my way to make sure those two aren’t about to set a fire.” Her voices lowers then, a humorous tone to it. “My back is also killin’ me, so I don’t want to do anymore heavy lifting.”

“Yeah, sure,” Cassie tells Dana with a polite smile.

“Kid?” your mom asks you, her voice stern.

“I got it, mom,” you say with a small groan.

She kisses the side of your head before unwrapping her arm from around you. Then, before walking away, your mom says, “you guys are my heroes!”

Cassie looks at you for a split second before turning away. “Um… I can do it myself if you don’t want to.”

“I’m the host,” you reply, striding to the backyard door, Cassie right behind you. “Well, kind of. It is my house and I helped my mom set up.”

Cassie hums in response, following you through your house. She already knows the way, but she lets you lead her. Cassie’s eyes keep finding your ass, each time only staring for a few moments before guiltily looking away. But she swears it’s like you’re a magnet, and she ends up ogling again.

When you enter the garage, you look around, not sure where exactly the bean bag toss equipment is. Cassie on the other hand, heads straight towards the back corner of the garage, so you follow her. There you see two corn holes and a brown bag resembling a potato sack besides them, the beanbags instead.

You open the outdoor freezer kept in the garage as you pass it and pull out a cherry popsicle. You pop it open and walk over to Cassie, the sticky and sweet red treat in your mouth.

“So,” Cassie starts, her hands on her hips as she assesses how best to carry everything, “how has college been?”

“Fine,” you reply simply.

Cassie hums in response and bends over to pick up a corn hole. “That’s good.”

“Mhm,” you hum back as you pick up the bag of beanbags.

“Are you dating anyone?” Cassie casually asks, her eyes glued onto the corn hole.

“Not right now,” you answer as you adjust the sack of beanbags in your arms, then licking the cherry red popsicle.

Cassie stands, taking notice of the ice-cold treat between your lips. She watches as your tongue teasingly darts out to lick up the sweetness, and you watch her do so. When Cassie catches herself staring, and then realizes you’re staring at her staring, she looks away and clears her throat.

She looks back to you after a beat and sees what you’re carrying. “You’re not gonna help me move these big ass corn holes?”

“I just got my nails done.” Cassie scoffs at that, but then stills when you ask, “you wanna see?”

You set the beanbags down, and then with the hand not holding the popsicle, you extend it out to her. Cassie carefully drops the corn hole and walks over to you.

She glances up at you before looking down to examine your nails. Cassie cautiously places her hand under yours, lifting your hand so she can see the design better. They’re red with blue and white polka dots.

“Cute,” Cassie says as she looks up at you to meet your gaze, her hand still on yours.

“I got them done a few days ago,” you tell Cassie before popping the cherry popsicle into your mouth, tiny crystals shimmering across its surface and leaving your lips red and shiny.

“Why are you eating a popsicle right now?” Cassie asks as she drops your hand.

“Because it’s sweet, and I wanted to.” You pause for a brief moment before adding, “don’t you want sweet things sometimes?”

“I have self control,” Cassie answers, then stepping back from you to pick up the corn hole again.

“I’m still helping,” you say, adjusting the sack of beanbags so you’re holding the heavy bag more comfortably.

“Barely,” Cassie says, giving you a flat stare before brushing past you. “Can you open the door?” she asks, not looking back.

“Yeah, I’m coming.”

“Thanks,” Cassie tells you as you catch up and open the door connecting the garage to the house for her, now focused on the task your mom assigned you two.

You and Cassie set up the beanbag toss, and then played it with Victoria, Trinity, and Dennis. You and Victoria were on a team, Trinity and Dennis on the other. They crushed you, Trinity’s competitiveness shining through.

After that, you did rounds, making small talk with those you hadn’t said hi to yet. During some of those conversations, you found yourself zoning out, your mind drifting to Cassie.

She was being flirty earlier, and you’re almost positive that you aren’t imagining it. You caught Cassie staring at you a few times, possibly checking you out. And then there was her face when she said it was good that your interactions with men aren’t serious was almost seductive, her smirk seemingly pleased by your answer. Not to mention that Cassie literally asked you if you’re seeing anyone.

There’s a chance that just you’re seeing what you want to see, reading into things for more than they are. You brainstorm ways to be sure about this, needing a clear answer. If Cassie’s flirting with you, you want to do something more bold, possibly even kiss her.

So you decide to tempt her. See if she takes the bait.

You enlist Trinity, already knowing she’ll be down to help. You may have only met her a couple of hours ago, but you trust her. You brief Trinity, only telling her you want to tease your crush Cassie. She happily decides to help you, invested in how this plays out.

The first thing you do is flirt with Trinity in the vicinity of Cassie. Trinity’s taken and you don’t like her in that way anyways, but Cassie doesn’t know you don’t like Trinity.

As Cassie sits at a table with some of her work friends, you and Trinity stand just behind her and a little off to side, so she can see you out of the corner of your eye. Trinity tells you a joke—a bad one—and you giggle, clinging onto her arm as you do. Then you compliment her, smiling seductively as you do.

Since everyone know knows Trinity’s in a relationship, you both decided beforehand to have her shut you down. Trinity tells you that she’s taken, but she’ll set you up with one of her friends. This whole time, you make sure you’re in Cassie’s earshot.

When you and Trinity finish your orchestrated show, you walk away to the opposite side of the yard. Trinity excitingly informs you that she caught Cassie looking at you twice. She also stopped eating, going completely still as she listened in.

The next thing you come up with is kind of stupid and hopefully not too obvious. The classic “I can’t reach my back, can you help me apply sunscreen?” It’s done in movies a lot, so you cross your fingers that Cassie doesn’t clock your true intentions.

You grab coconut sunscreen, reapplying it while in Cassie’s line of sight. Your fingers methodically glide over your skin, spreading the white layer of protection. Your polished nails make your hands appear more slender and sensual as you slather yourself in sunscreen.

After you apply sunblock on every part of your body you can reach, you pretend to look around, your eyes eventually landing on Cassie. You walk over to her, an adorable smile on your face and the tube of sunblock in hand.

“Hey,” you say, sitting down at the edge of the lounge chair she’s in.

“Hi,” Cassie greets you, her voice flat.

“Could you help me please?” you ask innocently, extending the sunscreen to her. “I can’t get my back.”

“Um…” Cassie sits up and glances around you two before taking the tube from you. “No one else could do it?”

“Oh, I can ask someone else, you were just right here,” you tell Cassie, playing dumb. You go to take the sunblock back, but Cassie grips it firmer and shakes her head.

“It’s fine,” Cassie says. “I can do it.”

“Thank you so much,” you tell Cassie with a big grin, then turning around. You sit up straight and brush your hair over your shoulder to one side.

From behind you, you can hear the sound of the bottle clicking open. Before Cassie’s hands are actually on you, you can feel them hovering. When she makes contact, your breath hitches, the feel of Cassie’s rough palms sliding around your back intoxicating. She takes her time, almost massaging some points as she blends the sunscreen in.

“Is this fine?” Cassie murmurs, her voice low and a little coarse as she slips her fingers underneath the thin straps of your bikini top.

“Yes,” you breathe, your throat dry.

You twitch as Cassie’s fingers ghost over sensitive spots. A barely there smirk appears as you shiver under her touch, but you can’t see it. You can feel Cassie’s breath against your neck though. You’re not sure when she scooted closer to you.

You nearly moan when Cassie presses her thumb in a sore spot by your shoulder blade. The scent of coconut and Cassie circulates in your little bubble you’ve created. The bikini covering your lower half starts to get wet—not from the pool but from Cassie. You lean into her touch, an ache growing between your legs.

“Okay,” Cassie murmurs after another minute of leisurely spreading sunscreen on your back. “I think that’s good,” she says firmly, giving your shoulders a squeeze before retreating.

“Thanks,” you tell her, turning to look at her. You’re more affected than you thought by this, words failing you.

“Yup,” Cassie says, looking at her lap while she passes you back the sunblock. Cassie intentionally makes sure your fingers don’t brush as she hands the tube to you.

You don’t say anything, just stare at Cassie. Her gaze still doesn’t meet yours. After a few seconds of flustered gawking, you stand up. You open your mouth to say something to Cassie, then shutting it when you can’t think of anything.

You walk away, going to where Trinity’s sitting on the edge of the pool, and fighting back a smile. Your head feels a little dizzy, that seemingly small interaction much more to you. Cassie McKay just rubbed lotion all of your back, even giving you somewhat of a massage.

“Oh my god,” Trinity mouths.

“I know,” you mouth back, full on grinning now. That moment with Cassie might’ve been all the confirmation you needed.

You join Trinity on the edge of the pool and start giggling about Cassie until Victoria swims up to the two of you and playfully splashes you both. You and Trinity then join Victoria in the pool, swimming again.

Cassie’s still relaxing on that lounge chair beside the pool. Every now and then you glance at her, but you’ve only caught her looking at you once. You want to get her attention, but you also don’t want to be too obvious about it.

After chatting and wading in the pool for a bit with Trinity and Victoria, you excuse yourself. A little off to the side of Cassie—not wanting to be directly in front of her, but wanting to be in view—you place your hands on the pool deck and jump.

Water drips down your body, the sun making you appear almost golden. Your breasts press together, emphasizing your cleavage as you climb out of the pool. Once you’re out, you don’t look at Cassie, but you can see her out of the corner of your eye.

You wring your hair out, the water droplets on your skin glistening as you do so. Then there’s the sound of a chair scrapping against the tile surrounding the pool. You look over, spotting Cassie getting up. She doesn’t look at you before storming off—maybe she didn’t even see you at all.

Or maybe she did, and that’s why she’s going somewhere else.

You grab a towel, drying yourself off and wondering where Cassie went. There are so many people in your backyard, and Cassie is only about 5’6. You don’t scan the party for very long, and instead decide to temporarily give up, taking a break from your seduction efforts to eat.

Damp, you weave through the fairly size-able crowd to where the food is. You grab a plate, scooping all your favorites of the options. When you’re done, you find an empty seat at a table next to your sister. You sit with her and eat your lunch, forgetting about Cassie for the time being.

That is until she walks right in front of you.

Her cold, blue eyes meet yours as you chew a bite of your burger. You bring a hand up, covering your mouth as you chew. Gulping down your food, Cassie holds her powerful stare until she passes you completely, no longer in your line of sight.

You finish eating, an uneasy feeling settling in your stomach. You’re worried that maybe you’re starting to go too far with Cassie. But at the same time, you love the rush of toying with her, the way she reacts leaving you wondering if she’s enjoying the game just as much as you are. It’s addicting.

Time passes quickly, fireworks about three hours away. The late afternoon sky is painted in shades of blue and gold, the sunlight dancing across your skin. You walk over the patio and grab a soda, the liquid fizzling as you crack open the can.

A light, cool breeze hits you as you stand in the shade, goosebumps surfacing on your barely clothed body, your swimsuit still wet. Setting the soda down, you take a step in the sun, soaking up the gentle heat against your skin.

As you stand there by yourself warming up, you look around the yard again. Maybe you could talk with Victoria or Trinity again, your mom annoyingly being right about getting along with the 20 year old.

You spot them by the beanbag toss with Samira, Dennis, Mel, and another young coworker of your mom’s. Emma you believe her name is. You’re about to walk over there when someone’s very distinct laughter gets your attention. Cassie’s laughter.

Under a tree, your mom is chatting away with Cassie while she nurses a beer, Cassie having a Coke instead. Without thinking much about it, you walk over to them.

“Hi, honey,” Dana says as she notices you approaching.

Cassie looks at you, her face stoic, a huge contrast to the light, bubbly manner she just displayed with your mom. Cassie tucks her hands into the front pocket of her denim shorts, slouching slightly.

“Ya need somethin’, kid?”

“Uh…” Your eyes slowly go from Cassie’s to your mom’s. “Actually,” you start, an idea popping in your head, “I was wondering what you think about a tattoo idea I have.”

Dana crosses her arms, a skeptical look on her face. “Alright…”

“Um, a butterfly on my hip,” you say, coming up with that on the spot. It’s cliche and a little cringey, but it’s what first came to mind.

“Where on your hip?” Cassie asks, surprising you a little by engaging in the discussion.

“Maybe here?” you tell her, pulling your swimsuit down to reveal your hip bone.

“Hmm…” Dana ponders, trying to picture the tattoo. “You should wait until you’re sure. Don’t do anything stupid.”

You give your mom a glare before turning to Cassie, your expression softening into something more playful. “Cassie? What do you think?”

“I, uh… I think it’s your body, and you should do what you want.”

“But would it look cute on me?”

Cassie swallows. Hard. Her pupils dilate, you knowing exactly how to make her mentally writhe. You give her a challenging grin, gaining more confidence as Cassie starts to break.

“Of course it would,” Dana says supportively.

“I asked Cassie,” you tell your mom, making it seem like it’s a jab at her judgement when you’re really just trying to get a reaction out of Cassie.

“It would be cute like your mom said,” Cassie says to you, no emotion behind her voice, and her eyes hardening.

“Don’t get something impulsive like that thing on your back,” your mom mutters.

“What?!” you exclaim with an amused smile. “This?” you ask, turning around to reveal your tramp stamp, the oriental black lines delicately lining the small of you back.

“You can’t even see it!” Dana says.

“Eh, I know it’s there,” you respond as you turn back around.

Then your voice lowers, and a mischievous smile grows on your face. Your mom is giving you a knowing look, already bracing herself for whatever you’re about to say while Cassie is giving you a hard stare.

“Besides,” you start, already trying not to laugh, “I may not be able to see it, but whoever’s giving me back shots can.”

“Oh, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!” your mom exclaims, rolling her eyes at your antics.

You giggle smugly and look to Cassie. It looks like she’s ready to punch something. Because you can, you raise your eyebrows suggestively at her before looking back to your mom.

“What?! It’s true,” you say with a shrug.

“Who raised you?” Dana asks in feigned outrage, placing a hand over her heart.

“I dunno,” you murmur. “Definitely not a respected nurse. It must’ve been some free loving sex hippie.”

Your mom bursts out in laughter, slinging an arm around Cassie as she does. Cassie forces a laugh, but you can tell it’s fake, and you’re surprised your mom isn’t picking it up. With a grin still on your face, you lean closer to the two women.

“Do you want to know something?” You don’t even give Cassie or your mom time to respond before telling them, “no one’s ya know since I got that tattoo.”

Dana takes a step back then, waving an arm at you and cringing. “I don’t want to hear about your sex life, ew.” She then looks to Cassie and assumes her silence means she’s uncomfortable. “And I’m sure Cassie doesn’t either,” your mom adds.

You look at Cassie, a tiny smirk still visible. Purposefully, your eyes drop to her lips for a split second before you look back into her eyes, something primal behind them. She lets out a shaky breath, holding your gaze.

“I’m sorry,” you tell your mom while you pout at Cassie. “I won’t misbehave again.”

“You better not,” Dana scolds motherly, completely unaware of whatever tension is concocting between you and Cassie.

“I promise,” you tell your mom. “I’m gonna go and talk to the girls,” you inform the two women as you point behind you to Victoria and Samira chilling on the outdoor couch.

“Be—”

“Behave,” you finish for your mom. You start walking backwards, your gaze leaving your mom and finding Cassie as you make one last comment. “I’ll be a good girl.”

Then, with a pleased smile, you spin on your heels and walk away. You stride across the yard to where Victoria and Samira are. For a clearer path and to avoid running into people, you walk alongside the house before venturing back onto the lawn.

But suddenly, you feel a strong, burning grasp of someone tugging on your arm. Squirming, you turn around only to find that it’s Cassie.

She grabs your arm, her hand gripping the inside of your elbow, and yanks you to the side of the yard, away from prying eyes. You’re completely taken aback by her random, tightening hold on you.

“Why are you fucking teasing me?” Cassie grits, her eyes dark. Her whole demeanor is the opposite of the sweet, polite Cassie that first came to the party.

“What do you mean?” you ask, feigning innocence and batting your luscious lashes at her, taking this opportunity to mess with her again.

“Stop it,” Cassie hisses, her jaw tense. She drops your arm and takes a step back, running a hand through her hair. “Jesus,” she breathes out before letting out a dry, humorless laugh. “I haven’t seen you in two goddamn years and this is how I’m seeing you?!” Cassie exclaims, gesturing up and down your body with her hand.

“It’s a swim party?” you reply, stating the obvious and acting completely oblivious.

“Oh, please, you’re really telling me,” Cassie uses her palm to point at your body, her fingers long and stretched, “that is how you’re choosing to dress for a family barbecue? This is what you wore in fucking Miami because it’s slutty.”

How does she know that? Did Cassie stalk your Instagram and see photos of you in Miami wearing this bikini?

You arch a brow, heat suddenly pooling at the bottom of your stomach, finding the thought of Cassie creeping through your social media extremely hot. “How do you know what I wore in Miami?”

Cassie blinks a few times, speechless for a brief moment. “I— you— well— I-I, your mom told me,” she barely stutters out.

“My mom described to you what bikini I was wearing?”

“Yes! I mean no! I mean—” Cassie groans in frustration. “I assume you would’ve worn that in Miami,” Cassie says, backtracking her initial statement.

“You’re such a fucking liar,” you tell her, the corner of your lips twitching up into a barely noticeable smirk.

“How would I know what you were wearing?” Cassie asks, clearly trying and failing to convince you it was a lucky guess.

“Um, maybe because you stalked me? I have pictures I posted on Instagram.”

Cassie scoffs and crosses her arms, awkwardly feigning nonchalance. “You may have popped up in my suggested accounts or whatever.”

“So you did stalk me?” you ask, taking a step closer to Cassie.

“I didn’t stalk you,” she argues.

“You kind of did.”

“I kind of didn’t,” Cassie counters as you take another step forward.

“I disagree.”

“You can have your opinion.”

“My true opinion,” you reply, a twinkle of mischief in your eyes.

You notice the way Cassie’s breath hitches as you take another step closer to her. She then swallows, the knot in her throat that was growing disappearing as she focuses on steadying her composure.

“You want to know my opinion?” Cassie asks, heat building back up in her voice. “I think that you’re being a little flirty brat who’s trying to tempt me or seduce me or whatever. You’re really pushing my buttons, sweetheart,” Cassie warns.

“Do you like it when I push your buttons?” you ask, your lashes fluttering up to meet her sparkling blue eyes.

“What’s your end goal here?”

You shrug and answer with, “I’m 21.”

Cassie leans her head back slightly, her chin tilting up as she slowly nods. With a smile of disbelief growing on her face, she licks her lips in thought. Then Cassie looks at you, her heated stare burning into yours.

“So?”

“So I’m officially in your age bracket.”

“You’re serious?”

“Yes. Does it seem like I’m joking?”

“I’m double your age.”

“So?” you say in the same tone Cassie just did seconds ago when she asked you the same thing. “It’s your stupid rules.”

“What if I changed them?”

“Oh, so you lowered it?” you ask smugly, raising a brow in question. “It’s 20 now? I see the way you’re with, with that med student. My mom even notices.”

“Javadi?” Cassie questions, her eyes widening slightly. “I haven’t done anything with her. We’re just coworkers,” she explains defensively.

You pout with feigned sympathy, your doe eyes looking into Cassie’s blue and fiery ones. “Because she’s not 21 yet?”

“Yes.” A pause. Then, “and-and because we’re coworkers! She’s a med student, and I’m an R2.”

“So you like her then?”

“She’s a good kid.”

“Am I a kid?” you ask, instinctively leaning forward, intruding Cassie’s space more than you already are.

“You’re 21,” Cassie responds, her voice coming out meek and quiet.

You lift an arm up, your eyes following your hand as your pointer and middle fingers dance up Cassie’s arm. You can feel the shiver that shoots through her body all because of your featherlight touch. Your fingers walk all the way up until you reach her shoulder, your palm resting there. Slowly, you glance up to meet her gaze.

“Then can you kiss me?”

Cassie lets out a sigh that’s more like a groan. “You don’t know what you’re asking for, honey.”

“A kiss?”

“You know it’ll be more than that.”

“I do,” you tell her. “That’s why I’m asking.”

Cassie takes a deep breath and shuts her eyes, trying to regain control over the situation when in reality, she’s already far gone.

After you left for college, Cassie tried not to think about you. At the time, she still refused to look at you as anything more than her friend’s kid. When you would come home for holidays or the summer, Cassie did her best to limit her interactions with you, overthinking the awkwardness that could be there.

One day, however, when you were in your sophomore year of college, Dana showed Cassie a picture of you with your then girlfriend. You looked beautiful obviously, and had the brightest smile on your face. A twinge of jealously hit Cassie then, not liking that you were with some rando — at least a rando to her.

There was no way your girlfriend was good enough for you. Cassie didn’t want to think about you being with that woman, and she especially didn’t want to think about the inevitable heartbreak it would result in. Your girlfriend at the time was 30, and you had just barely turned 20. Cassie was certain that older woman was just going to string you along, and as it turns out, she was right.

In that moment, Cassie realized she felt so strongly about your relationship—one she really knew nothing about—because she didn’t like you being with anyone. No one would be good enough for you, Cassie included. You’ve always been a shining star, a beautiful and smart girl with lots of ambitions and love to give.

The guilt Cassie was secretly carrying was tearing her up inside. She knew it was wrong for so many reasons. You’re her best friend and coworker’s youngest daughter. You’re half her age. You’re still establishing yourself in life and finding out who you are whereas Cassie’s path has been chosen.

Now here you are, right in front of Cassie and asking her to kiss you. You’ve been deliberately tempting her all day, and truth be told, it’s fucking hot to Cassie that you’ve been putting on this covert show just for her. Even before she met you, she knew you were someone who felt strongly about things and would speak up for what you want, courtesy of Dana’s proud mom talks about her kids. Cassie knows she is what you want and you’re sure of it, but are you blinded by desire and not able to see all of the potential downfalls?

“What would your mom think?” Cassie asks, her voice low and a little husky.

You shrug and place your other hand on Cassie’s shoulder. “She wouldn’t know.”

“I’m so much older than you,” Cassie emphasizes, in hopes that you’ll back off because she sure as hell can’t.

“You like that?” you tease.

Cassie stays quiet, but you notice how her chest rises and falls more prominently. At her side, her hands ball into fists, her knuckles turning white and her fingernails digging into her palm. Cassie lips part ever so slightly, enough to breathe through her mouth because she needs the extra oxygen right now.

“Do you know what you being so much older than me means?” you taunt, almost mocking the way Cassie told you that obvious piece of information.

“Hm?”

“You get to be the boss of me.”

Then, without warning, Cassie’s hands are on your hips, pulling your body flush against hers. You let out a little yelp in surprise, but it’s quickly cut off as Cassie slams her lips hungrily against yours.

Cassie tastes better than you ever could’ve imagined, and you definitely have. Her lips are soft and fit perfectly against yours. You moan into Cassie’s mouth and run your hands through her wild, auburn hair as she backs you up to the side wall of your house.

In the distance, you can hear the sound of music and chatter from the barbecue in the background. But Cassie kissing you like this and breathing heavily into your mouth slowly drowns it out.

Cassie breaks the kiss, a thin trail of spit connecting your lips, only to dive down to your neck. You run a hand all over the surface of her back while the other grips the nape of her neck, holding you to her. Your head drops back against the wall, and you let out a soft sigh of pleasure as Cassie nips and sucks on your neck.

“We’re going to get caught,” Cassie murmurs against your skin.

“No,” you reply with a gasp. “We can go inside. The part-party is out here,” you manage to tell her, your sensitive body shuddering under Cassie’s touch.

Cassie pulls back then, her face only inches from yours and her hands still tight on your hips. Her blue eyes scan yours for any sign of hesitation or discomfort, but she doesn’t seem to find any. You want this just as bad as Cassie—if not more.

“Are you sure?” Cassie asks firmly, giving you one last chance to back out before you two venture into territory you can’t come back from.

“Yes,” you answer with certainty.

Cassie continues to stare at you for a few more moments before replying, “okay. We have to go back out to the party if we want to sneak inside. You think you can do that?”

You nod and start to finger comb Cassie’s hair, trying to fix it so it’s not as disheveled as it was before your heated kiss. “I can.”

“Good,” Cassie says, bringing a hand up to cup your face. Her thumb circles the skin around your lips, getting all of the sticky lipgloss that got smeared onto your skin.

Cassie leans forward after, planting a quick peck on your lips. Then she steps back, her hands no longer on you. Cassie straightens out her black tank top, and then looks up at you. Your lips are puffy from kissing, and it only makes Cassie want to kiss you again.

“I’ll go first?”

“Okay,” you reply, your voice low.

Cassie looks at you for another moment before giving you a tight nod. She then walks away. You watch her until she disappears around the side of the house, back to the party. You count to twenty before doing the same.

With purpose, you stride through the backyard, heading straight to the back door. Your sister Leah tries to stop you, offering you a beer, but you hastily decline and continue on your path. When you finally reach the porch, you hear an all too familiar laugh from behind you.

You whip around and scan the sea of people until your eyes land on Cassie. She’s leaning against a table, her arms crossed while she cackles at something the person she’s talking to said.

Victoria.

Immediately, your body fills with fury, jealousy coursing through your veins. There’s even a little bit of hurt under the surface. Cassie was the one who told you to meet her inside, and here she is, flirting with another girl.

You feel bad about being envious of Victoria, she’s a sweet girl who you honestly really like. But seeing her talk to Cassie like this rubs you the wrong way.

You’re about to look away when Cassie turns, her eyes locking with yours. Her smile slowly falters, but you turn around before you can see it drop completely.

Irritated, you march to the back door. You open it, step inside, and close it with more force than necessary, the shutters rattling as you do. You stomp through the kitchen and head towards the stairs, ready to disappear in your room.

“Hey!” you hear as you walk onto the first carpeted step. “I’m here.”

You turn around, annoyance etched onto your face as you glare down at Cassie. You cross your arms, waiting for an explanation.

“Sorry,” Cassie says, seemingly genuine, although it’s not nearly enough. “She pulled me aside to ask me something.”

“Ask you…?”

“If I still need a babysitter next Friday.”

“That seemed awfully flirty for just ‘babysitting.’ You also have someone right next door who’s available.”

Cassie sighs and runs a hand through her hair. “Look.” She opens her mouth. Then closes it. Then opens it again. “I didn’t ask you because Victoria’s been one of Harrison’s usual babysitters while you’ve been away at college. I also… didn’t want you around me if it wasn’t necessary.”

You scoff in disbelief, hurt and offended by her admission. “Because I’m annoying? Because you don’t like me?” you question angrily. “Fuck you.”

Cassie shuts her eyes momentarily in frustration, her jaw tensing. “Stop being so dramatic,” she bites out which results in a dry, bitter laugh escaping you. “Of course I like you, that’s the problem. I like you too much,” Cassie explains. “I don’t trust myself around you.”

You blink a few times in realization, the pieces clicking into place. “Oh.”

“Yeah ‘oh.’ God,” Cassie says, shaking her head, “you’re impossible.”

You roll your eyes, and your chest heaves in frustration. “I hate you,” you state plainly even though both you and Cassie know that’s not true.

Cassie smiles like she can’t believe you just said that, almost proud by your pettiness. She nods her head up and down and licks her lips once as she takes a step onto the stairs, now at the same level as you. You’re no longer looking down at her—she’s looking down at you.

“Do you want to say that again, baby?” Cassie challenges as she takes a step closer to you, crowding you with what little space there is.

“I hate you,” you whisper as you take a step back, your words sounding more like a question than a statement.

Cassie’s hands find yours, her palms flat against yours as she slowly begins to intertwine her fingers with yours. “Even when I do this?” Cassie asks, dropping her head to your neck.

As her lips connect with your sensitive skin, you try and hold back a heated sigh of relief, but it escapes anyways. You can feel Cassie smirking smugly against your neck. She bites down on your pulse point, making you softly hiss. Cassie then leaves a soothing kiss over the mark and trails her kisses up to your face.

The second her lips are on yours, your annoyed front slips, and you lean into Cassie’s touch. You squeeze her hands, and she squeezes back. Your tongue darts out, and Cassie opens her mouth right away so you can explore. She lets out a moan as your tongues sloppily meet, the pink muscles tangoing in a heated dance.

Cassie releases her hands from yours. Her right hand drops to your back, sliding down to your ass while her left hand finds your chest. You wrap your arms around Cassie’s neck and lift a leg, caressing her side.

As you kiss, Cassie kneads your left breast through the fabric of your bikini top before moving to do the same with your other tit. She squeezes the plump flesh of your ass, and you simultaneously moan into each other’s mouths. Instinctively, your hips buck up to Cassie’s body.

Cassie lets out a groan and drops her hand that’s on your chest to your thigh, your ankle rubbing against the side of her calf. Her fingernails dig into your skin as she properly hooks your leg around her waist. You try and grind your hips against Cassie’s, desperately craving some friction.

“You still hate me?” Cassie mumbles in between kisses.

“A little,” you reply before biting down on her lower lip.

“If I make you cum, will that change your mind, baby?”

“Fuck,” you moan, slamming your lips against Cassie’s again. “Yes,” you murmur into her mouth as you adjust your head to have a better angle to kiss her.

Cassie continues to grip your thigh, keeping your leg hooked over her hip as she moves her lips against yours with need. With her other hand, she slides it down your chest to your stomach, her fingers toying with the top of your bikini bottoms.

You moan, Cassie swallowing it immediately, as she dips her hand beneath the damp fabric. Your whole body shudders as Cassie ghosts her fingers over your heat. With your hands still on the nape of her neck, your fingernails instinctively dig into her skin when Cassie cups your bare cunt. She groans at the contact and pulls back to look at you.

“You’re so wet for me, baby,” Cassie coos, almost mockingly.

Your eyes flutter shut, and you let out a whiny groan at her words. Then, when your eyes open back up, a flirty smirk starts to grow on your face as you take in Cassie’s lustful expression and flushed cheeks.

“I bet you are too,” you tease.

“Upstairs,” Cassie growls, her eyes dark.

You grab her wrist and turn around, heading up the stairs to lead her to your room. Cassie’s eyes drop down your body as she follows behind. Your ass is barely covered by the cheeky cut bikini bottom you have on, and your tramp stamp is showing. It’s turning her on even more.

Once you reach the top of the stairs, you walk straight to your bedroom. With your spare hand, you push open the door. There’s a few clothes littered on the floor, you have two old cups of water on your nightstand, and your bed is sloppily made.

Cassie doesn’t care though, her focus entirely on you.

As you walk over to your bed, Cassie leans forward, her head right up against your ear. “Lay on your back for me,” she commands.

You look over your shoulder, a flirtatious look on your face. “Whatever you say.”

Cassie smacks your ass as you climb onto your bed. You letting out a little yelp in surprise. You crawl slowly up to the headboard, deliberately giving her a little show, and she groans at the sight of you. As you roll onto your back, Cassie comes onto your bed too, climbing over you. Her wide hands on either side of your head, caging you in.

With a knee, she pushes apart your legs. Then she sits on her knees and pulls off her black tank top, throwing it somewhere on the floor. Next, Cassie frantically slides down her jean shorts, kicking them off the bed once they’re at her ankles. She’s left in a black one piece swimsuit.

“I didn’t know you had a swimsuit on,” you say with a coy smile.

Cassie chuckles and looks down at the dark polyester covering her body, then back up at you. “Just in case,” she tells you.

“Can you turn around?” you ask, raising your eyebrows and grinning teasingly.

“Why?” Cassie questions, her hands finding your inner thighs and pushing them apart tantalizingly slowly. “All you’re going to see is a covered ass and some cellulite.”

“Turn around,” you repeat as a command instead of a question this time.

Cassie rolls her eyes and grumbles out a, “fine.” She then turns around, rising on her knees. “Happy now?”

You hum, satisfied, and begin to sit up. “Very.”

You crawl forward, and Cassie feels the bed shift. She looks over her shoulder and sees you rising to the same position she’s in.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

You brush Cassie’s hair to one side, then kissing her neck with the area now accessible. Your hands drop to her hips, and Cassie leans back into you.

“Your thighs are hot,” you murmur against her skin. “All of you is.”

Cassie lets out a content sigh and lets you kiss her neck for a few more moments. Then she turns around, her face only inches from yours. Cassie brings a hand up between your bodies, placing it on your chest and gently pushing you back.

You fall, your head landing against a pillow. Cassie leans down, parting your legs with her thigh again. She purposefully presses the tip of her knee against your cunt lightly, intentionally leaving you wanting more.

You push down in an attempt to grind on her knee, your pussy dripping with need. That little bit of pressure alone is helping to dim the ache between your legs. Even so, it’s not enough.

Your hands find Cassie’s face, your palms flat against her cheeks as you pull her mouth to yours. When your lips meet, Cassie opens her mouth right away, slipping her tongue inside your mouth. As she kisses you, she uses one arm to prop herself up her other hand glides across your chest to cup your breast.

You moan, all of the sensations making you feel fantastic. Cassie’s mouth on yours. Her palm squeezing and kneading your breast. Her knee flush against your cunt.

Cassie breaks the kiss and sits up, flipping her hair out of her face with a hand, the brown reddish strands falling randomly behind her head. She grabs your knees, pulling your legs apart more than they already are. Then Cassie hooks her fingers in the thin waistband of your swimsuit bottoms, her eyes flickering up to yours, silently asking for permission.

“I can’t wait any longer,” you admit, not caring how desperate you seem right now.

Cassie smiles slyly and says in a mockingly sweet voice, “okay, baby.”

Her eyes drop from yours to your lower half. Cassie takes her time removing your damp bikini, admiring every inch she carefully reveals. When they’re nearing your ankles, you kick them off the rest of the way, Cassie’s eyes still glued to you.

You shiver as the cool air filtering through your house—well, your mom’s house—hits the newly exposed skin. As Cassie looks at your almost fully naked body for the first time, heat blooms in her stomach, her pussy throbbing just as bad as yours.

“Pretty,” Cassie hums in appreciation.

“Cass,” you breathe.

“I know, honey,” she coos, looking back up to meet your gaze.

You prop yourself up on your elbows as Cassie settles in a sitting position between your legs. She then leans forward, the gold chain around her neck hitting your face as she hovers over you to reach your back. She unties your bikini top, letting the fabric fall onto your stomach before swiping it away to the floor.

“God,” Cassie sighs, her eyes focused on your now bare chest. “My gorgeous girl.”

You let out a small moan at her words of adoration. The simple “my” making you forget everything but Cassie. All you know is right now you’re hers.

Slowly, Cassie lowers herself again. Your hands find her shoulders, slipping under the straps of her swimsuit. Cassie sucks and nibbles on your neck as you slide the top half of her black bathing suit off.

The one piece is now at her hips. You glide a hand over Cassie’s stomach, feeling the way her body twitches and shivers because of your touch. Your hand lowers to Cassie’s core, your palm cupping her cunt through the fabric.

Cassie moans against your neck, her hips instinctively bucking forward to meet your hand. She grinds again, biting your collarbone as she does so. With your unoccupied hand at Cassie’s hip, your fingers slip under the halfway pulled down swimsuit clinging to her body.

“Take it off,” you murmur, your voice laced with desire.

“So fucking bossy,” Cassie says through a wicked smile as she rises to take off the last article of clothing between you two.

You bite your lower lip as you watch Cassie finish stripping. Her rounded, plump boobs look so appetizing, you’re sure you could spend hours kissing and sucking the tissue. Your eyes trail down to Cassie’s lower half as she discards her swimsuit. The dark, unruly curls covering her pink pussy are one of the most beautiful things you’ve seen in your 21 years of life.

“Come here,” you murmur, extending an arm and turning your palm upwards to motion to come to you with your fingers.

A crooked grin pulls at the corner of Cassie’s lips, her dimples flashing through, as she climbs over you once again. Your mouths connect, and your tongues tangle. Cassie takes your bottom lip in her mouth, tugging on it before releasing it. She then kisses down your throat to your chest.

The cool metal of Cassie’s golden chain drags across your skin in the wake of her wet kisses. You squirm as she gets to your stomach, the skin extra sensitive there. As she goes lower, she grips your thighs and spreads your legs apart.

Finally, Cassie reaches your core, your breathing picking up in anticipation. She licks a stripe top to bottom, then bottom to top, your whole body trembling. As Cassie gives a light kiss to your clit, your breath snags in your throat.

She presses her tongue flat against the small bud, then drags it back and forth. Cassie’s fingernails dig into the flesh of your thighs as she starts to suck on the receptive bundle of nerves. Cassie ravishes you, cherishing your sweetness that she finally gets to taste. As a doctor, she knows exactly how to make you writhe.

Your hips grind up to her, relentlessly chasing your climax. Cassie, finding it hot how you’re trying to fuck her face, moans against your cunt, the sound sending vibrations of pleasure down your spine all the way to your core. She keeps at it, alternating between sucking and licking, finding a rhythm that feels right for you.

It doesn’t take long before you’re cumming all over her mouth. You cry out in ecstasy and fist the bedsheets on either side of you. Your thighs clamp around Cassie’s head, making her whimper into your slick pussy. Cassie carries you through your high, lapping up everything she can.

When she pulls back, she wipes her glistening mouth with the back of her hand. Then Cassie crawls up your body, placing a hand under your jaw. You look up at her through half-lidded eyes, aftershocks of the orgasm Cassie gave you still coursing through your body.

“Hey,” Cassie says, her voice low and husky. “You gonna be a good girl and give me another?”

Lazily, you lift an arm and point out your bedroom window. “People are going to wonder where we are.”

“And whose fault is that? I wasn’t half-naked and chasing after you all day.”

“Are you complaining?” you tease, your energy beginning to recharge.

“No, but you shouldn’t be either.” Cassie kisses your nose, then your cheek, then a peck on your lips. “Be grateful,” she attempts to scold, though there’s a soft smile peeking out.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so so grateful,” you playfully tell Cassie with fake sympathy and a big pout.

Cassie closes her eyes and sucks in a sharp breath through her teeth. When she opens them back up, you can see that her restrain is slipping. You know just the right buttons to push, and you love to do so.

“I think I’m tapped out,” you announce with a dramatic sigh as you bring your arms over the rest behind your head.

Cassie knows you’re not really, you’re just trying to make her work for it. A part of her wants to back off, flipping the tables to tease you too. However, the hammering buzz between her legs that’s begging to be satisfied is making her impatient.

“Spreads your legs for me, baby,” Cassie tells you sweetly, tapping your hip to physically signal to move.

You force a yawn out and close your eyes, trying to hold back a laugh. “I’m too tired.”

Cassie opens her mouth to speak but closes it, instead taking a deep, steadying breath. “Honey,” she starts, her tone similar to a mom asking their disobedient child to do something as nicely as possible, “I know you’re not.”

Your smile grows, only pissing Cassie off further. You don’t say anything and keep your eyes closed as if Cassie’s not even here. She grips your thighs, much harder than necessary and tries to spread them for you. But you snap them back shut, biting the inside of your cheek to stop yourself from laughing.

“I’ll do all the work,” Cassie baits.

But you don’t take it.

Your eyes open like you’re coming out of a deep sleep. Cassie’s hovering over you, clearly trying not to loose control. Now holding eye contact with you, she tries to pry open your legs again. You let her get halfway before slamming them together.

“Spread your damn legs,” Cassie grits, giving you her stern mom look.

You raise a brow smugly. “Why should I?”

Cassie expels a sharp breath, and then leans down, her face burying in the crook of your neck. She trails a path of soft, wet kisses up to your ear. Her tongue darts out and licks your lobe, the sensation nearly making you gasp.

“Because you want to cum.” She bites your earlobe, giving it a gently tug before releasing it, her hot breath still radiating against your ear. “And because your mom didn’t raise a brat.”

Your own need is building up again, the piercing pang of your cunt getting increasingly harder to ignore. You let out a shaky breath and place your hands on the back of Cassie’s neck. The sudden contact takes her by surprise. Cassie lifts her head to look at you, a pleased grin forming as she realizes you’re giving in.

“Are you really going to do all the work?”

Cassie kisses your lips for a couple seconds. She pulls back and murmurs, “yes,” then kissing you again. “Even though you’re a fucking spoiled brat.”

“You’re the one spoiling me,” you tease.

“So you better be nice to me,” Cassie hums before planting a quick kiss to your lips once more.

“I can try,” you say before Cassie kisses you again, this time without the intention to break it like how she’s been doing. But after a moment, you pull back, your head retreating into the pillow, smushing it. “It would help if you do something other than kiss me,” you taunt.

“Shut up,” Cassie rasps.

With a smirk, you oblige.

Cassie messily kisses you while she trails a hand down your body all the way to your cunt. She lightly presses over the throbbing muscle with her palm, then parts your folds with her fingers. Leisurely, Cassie drags her fingers to your pulsing entrance, teasing your aching hole before inserting her middle and ring finger.

“Fuck, baby, you’re so tight,” Cassie groans as her two fingers sink into your cunt.

“I haven’t— mm, been with someone in-in a while.”

A satisfied smile hangs from Cassie’s face, her fingers scissoring inside of you. “It’s okay, I’ll stretch you out,” she purrs.

You take deep breaths and do your best to relax your body as you adjust to Cassie’s fingers. Your hands run wild over her back, wanting to hold her impossibly closer. As Cassie continues thrusting deep inside your pussy, wet and lewd noises mixed with heavy breathing filling the room, your moans become more frequent. Outside, the sound of music and chatter carry to your bedroom, but Cassie and you don’t care enough to notice.

Seeking friction, you grind your hips up to meet Cassie’s wrist. She grunts, going deeper and faster. With her pace staying constant, Cassie maneuvers herself over your body so her cunt is over your thigh. She drops down, placing her bare pussy right over your knee. She grinds against your muscly flesh. You can feel how wet she is, her arousal seeping onto your skin.

Expertly, Cassie curls her fingers and pushes against your pulsating walls, quickly finding your g-spot. A loud, broken moan falls from your lips, followed by a blissed out whimper.

“Your mom is right downstairs,” Cassie tauntingly warns you, her movements never faltering.

“And you’re old enough to be my mom,” you mockingly remind Cassie.

“I know,” Cassie says through a pleasured sigh. She drags her tongue across your collarbone and up to your neck. “Maybe we should stop,” Cassie whispers against your skin before kissing it, her fingers still pumping in and out of you.

“No! Ne-need you.”

“Fuck, baby,” Cassie gasps. “You have a mom. You’re just that fucked in the head that you need me too?”

You moan, Cassie plunging her fingers knuckle deep inside of you. “I have a mom, but I don’t have a dad”, you reply, unable to think of any other excuse.

“What?” Cassie smirks against your neck, nearly laughing. “So you want me to be your daddy? You perverted girl,” she tsks, her voice mockingly soft with faux disapproval.

You lean up and drag your tongue across one of Cassie’s bouncing tits. She lets out a low whimper, her hips rolling over your leg faster now. Your tongue reaches the peak of Cassie’s breast. You bite the hardened bud, then leave a soft kiss behind before looking back up to Cassie.

“Daddy,” you whisper while you pout. “Do you like that?” you tease, hooking a finger around the gold chain dangling in front of your face.

“Baby,” Cassie pants, her fingers working with urgency. “Yo-you’re killing me.”

With the small grip you have on her chain, you pull Cassie’s face closer to yours. Once she’s in reach, you kiss her. A needy sound escapes Cassie and falls into your mouth. She grinds faster, slowly loosing herself completely in the feeling.

“Cass,” you moan, “you’re so deep, daddy.”

“Oh, fuck,” Cassie groans. “I’ll take care of you, baby.”

“Please,” you plead breathlessly.

Your hands travel down to Cassie’s ass, squeezing the juicy flesh there and encouraging her to move. She keeps rocking her hips over you, her fingers matching the erratic pace of her lower half. From outside and two stories down, you can hear the loud splash of the pool, someone likely cannon balling in, but it barely phases you, your focus devoted to the woman giving you pleasure.

“Are you close?”

You nod and whine, your shaky body speaking for you. With a moan, you hold onto Cassie’s shoulder while your other hand grips her hip, anchoring her to you.

Cassie drops her forehead to your shoulder as she continues, her body starting to grow tired. She just disregards it though, pushing through. Cassie adds a third digit to your hole, stretching your tight pussy out even more. Ruthlessly, she keeps fucking you with her fingers as she frantically humps your leg.

“Come on, baby. I know you’re close,” Cassie coaxes. “I wanna feel you.”

“I am,” you whine.

“Your pretty pussy is swallowing my fingers,” Cassie murmurs through heavy breathes.

“Fuck— mommy,” you pant.

Cassie’s movement slow momentarily as that word slips out. You realize what you said and open your mouth to apologize, but then Cassie’s shoving her fingers into you as far as she can go.

“What did you say?” Cassie asks, having heard you perfectly but wanting to hear it again.

“Mom-mommy.”

“So greedy,” she groans. “You need both a mommy and a daddy, huh?”

“Mhm.”

You bring a hand up to Cassie’s head, tucking some frizzy hair out of her face and brushing her greasy bangs off of her sweaty forehead. You look deep into her blue eyes, finding determination, desire, and something more tender.

“Almost,” you cry out.

“I want to see your pretty face as you cum on my fingers,” Cassie pants, her words encouraging you to reach the finish line.

“Wha-whatever yo-you say, mo-mommy,” you stammer.

“Good girl,” Cassie snarls.

You grind your hips against Cassie’s hand, your clit rubbing against her wrist. As you wriggle your legs to help bring you to your climax, it adds more pressure to Cassie’s soaked cunt on top of your thigh. She groans and keeps riding, her fingers still pumping, almost to the edge herself.

“I’m gonna—”

You cut yourself off with a roar of a moan, Cassie’s body shuddering in delight at the sound of it. You clench around her fingers, your pussy spasming, and your head dizzying with ecstasy. Cassie only moves faster, intoxicated by everything about you.

“That’s it,” she praises, her hips roughly moving over your thigh, almost burning the skin there.

“Daddy, you need to cum too,” you whine, knowing your words will set her off.

“Motherfuck—”

Cassie finishes then. With a few rough grunts, she juts her lower half against your poor, drenched leg. You take in her expression of euphoria, moaning as you watch her eyes roll back. Your name spills from Cassie’s lips in a shattered moan, her body shuddering through the overwhelming bliss she’s been craving.

Panting still, Cassie lets out a few satisfied sighs and rolls off of you. Both of you are hot, sweaty, and exhausted. Just inches apart, your bodies start to calm.

As your breathing begins to settle and the room quiets, you can hear chatter and laughter from the backyard, a reminder of what you’re missing. From your side, you hear Cassie sigh. She’s lying on her back parallel to you, staring up at the ceiling.

The sheets rustle as Cassie turns onto her side, now facing you. She props herself up on her elbow, her chin resting in her palm. Cassie then walks two fingers up your arm to your shoulder, her touch featherlight and a little playful. You turn your head to look at her and immediately take notice of her bright red cheeks and wild bed head.

“Are you okay?” Cassie asks, now flattening her palm against your shoulder so her thumb can draw soothing circles.

You close your eyes and nod, a soft smile growing on your face as you process everything that just happened. When you open your eyes, you roll onto your side to face her. Cassie’s hand retreats, letting you adjust. You bend your elbow and rest your head on your arm like a pillow.

“Is this a onetime thing?” you hesitantly ask, vulnerability flooding your features.

Cassie’s face softens instantly, and she cautiously reaches forward. She tucks a strand of hair behind your ear, her hand then cupping your cheek. Cassie doesn’t say anything for a few moments, lost in your eyes with a small, warm smile painted onto her face.

“Do you want it to be?”

Slowly, you extend an arm downwards, testing as you lightly place your hand on Cassie’s waist. “Um… no,” you truthfully tell her, nervous butterflies fluttering in your stomach as you wait for Cassie’s response.

“Okay,” she states, her tone gentle and soft. Cassie thinks for a couple moments, her brows knitting together. Then her face lights up just enough for you to notice. “Do you want to come over tomorrow?”

You press your lips together, trying to hold back the big grin fighting to come out. Your eyes drop down, the corner of your lips lifting slightly as you nod in confirmation.

But then Cassie grabs your chin, making you look at her. “You know how you said that you haven’t gotten fucked since you got that tattoo?”

“My tramp stamp? Technically I said I never got back shots with it, not that I hadn’t had sex since I got it.”

Cassie’s expression drops, her grip on your face tightening a tad. “So you’ve had sex with it?” Cassie questions, her free hand coming to slide across your waist to your lower back, her hand resting possessively over where the ink is.

You don’t respond for a few seconds, leaving Cassie on her toes. When her eyes narrow, silently commanding you to answer, you sigh and tell her, “I haven’t. I haven’t had sex since… god, I think sophomore year of college.”

“Was that with your ex? The 30 something year old?”

You raise a brow, amused and intrigued that she knows about and recalls that failed relationship of yours. “She was my last relationship,” you explain, “but I slept with someone after her. It was a casual hookup, and we never saw each other after. I’ve just been so busy that my love life has been on the back burner for a while now.”

Cassie strokes your hair soothingly. Whatever hardness had settled across her features previously has dissolved, her face relaxing into something kinder now. You catch a flash of vulnerability in her eyes as she draws in an uneven breath.

“Same here,” Cassie confesses. “I don’t think I’ve been on a date since…” Cassie looks up in thought as she tries to remember, a wry chuckle slipping out before she answers, “I think I was 36? 37? I haven’t slept with someone since I entered my 40’s.”

You nod, processing that information. If you’re too busy as a college student to pursue romance, you can’t imagine being an emergency medicine doctor and mom.

“But,” Cassie says with a sigh, shifting the topic, “circling back what I initially wanted to say, since you seem to want it so bad, I’ll fuck you from behind,” Cassie casually offers, although her gaze drops down to the sheets, breaking eye contact with you.

“Ahh,” you say, the corner of your lips pulling into a smirk. “Do you like my tattoo that much, Dr. McKay?”

Cassie rolls her eyes, a smile appearing on her face. “Maybe.”

“You can do it, Cass. But you better make it memorable,” you tease.

Cassie chuckles and looks back up to you, pulling your body closer to hers. “Do you not think I’m memorable?” Cassie gasps, pretending to be offended. “Really?” She drops her head to your ear. “Even after you cummed all over me?”

Your eyelids flutter shut, almost moaning at her words. “Jesus,” you shudder, bringing a hand up to grip her bicep. “I don’t think I could forget if I tried.”

Cassie presses a kiss to your cheek, unable to keep from smiling in self-satisfaction. “That’s what I thought,” she tells you, pulling back to look at you again.

You’re both stupidly smiling, your hands on each other, gently holding one another in some way. After a few moments of giddy silence, you drop your head to Cassie’s chest, nuzzling your head under her chin. You let out a content sigh and close your eyes, absentmindedly tracing lazy shapes on her arm with your fingernails.

Cassie smiles to herself and kisses the top of your head. She keeps an arm around you, rubbing your back. Her other hand cradles the back of your head, scratching your scalp consolingly. Cassie kisses your hair again before resting her cheek against the crown on your head.

“I bet people are wondering where we disappeared to,” Cassie murmurs.

You softly grunt in response, wanting to stay up here with Cassie. You hold onto her tighter, clearly having no intention of rushing back to the party.

“I’ll tell my mom I came upstairs to take a nap,” you reason, your voice muffled in Cassie’s chest. “She hasn’t even come looking for me. At least not in my room.”

“Would she just barge in without knocking?” Cassie asks, nerves creeping up at the thought of Dana walking in on her best friend naked in her daughter’s bed.

“No,” you answer with certainty. “She would at least knock first. You would be able to hear her footsteps anyways if she did come up here.”

“Mkay.”

“You’re fine, Cass.”

Cassie draws in a shaky breath, still unconvinced that this won’t have lasting repercussions. “I know.”

“Seriously,” you add, reassuring her.

“What am I going to tell D about where I disappeared to?” Cassie thinks out loud.

“Harrison called you?”

“For an hour?”

“I dunno,” you say, shrugging against Cassie. “Say that Harrison wouldn’t stop talking to about a video game or something, and that since it’s a holiday, you wanted to talk to him for longer because you don’t have him today.”

Cassie hums, considering it. “Maybe. I hate lying,” Cassie says with a groan.

“It’s that or tell everyone who asked about your little disappearance that you had sex with the hostess who’s also your coworker’s daughter.”

Chuckling, Cassie kisses the top of your head. Each time she does it, it fills you with a warmth you’ve never felt with anyone else before. You feel safe. Even loved.

“Lie it is,” Cassie says. “We need to go back soon though. It’s kinda rude.”

“I’m the hostess’s daughter, I can do what I want. You’re the helpful neighbor, so you should get a pass too.”

“I’m don’t think that’s how it works.”

“I make my own rules,” you say. Then there’s a few moments of tranquil silence, no awkwardness in the air, before you tell Cassie, “10 more minutes?”

Her arms tighten around you, holding you even closer. She nuzzles her head on top of yours as a contented breath slips past her lips, all tension leaving her body.

“Okay. 10 more minutes, baby.”

The sun barely set a few minutes ago, and fireworks have already started going off. In addition to the foldable tables, outdoor couch, and lounge chairs, you and your mom set up several lawn chairs in the yard to ensure that everyone can have a seat if they want. You, however, are not going to be needing one.

You’ve lived in this house since you were in elementary school. When you were twelve, the window screen in your bedroom broke. Because of that, you had easy access to the roof over the garage. It became your place to escape when things got tough, and you just need a minute alone.

Now, every year you watch fireworks on the Fourth of July by yourself on that same roof. You enjoy doing so, and your mom always lets you. When you first started, she was hesitant due to safety, but you’re an adult now and have done this dozens of times. It’s a solo tradition that you look forward to each year.

“Be safe, hon,” Dana tells you with a warm smile, giving your shoulder a squeeze.

“I will,” you reassure your mom before heading back into the house, the sound of fireworks exploding in the air becoming muffled by the walls.

Right outside of your neighborhood, there’s a firework show that you have the perfect view of from the room. It starts at precisely 8:00PM every year, so you always make sure to be seated and ready by then.

You climb the stairs, enter your bedroom, open your window, and climb out. You leave the window open, so you can get back in and fresh air can filter through your room. As you wait, you bring your knees to your chest, watching the fireworks that are already going off in the distance as your mind wanders to Cassie.

Back downstairs, Cassie’s about to take a seat beside Dana on a lawn chair when she realizes you’re nowhere in sight. It takes her a moment to remember that you like to watch fireworks on the roof by yourself.

A couple years ago Harrison begged to join, but he was far too little. Plus, it’s your thing. You told Harrison he could come out on the roof when he’s older, Cassie’s heart warming at the fact that you would include him in something so personal. Her cheeks warm at the memory.

After you guys slept together, you cleaned up and returned to the barbecue like nothing changed. You both gave a lame excuse, ones Dana surprisingly bought. For the rest of the party, you stayed away from each other for the most part, only talking in groups. You kept stealing some not too subtle glances of each other though, Trinity quickly catching on, though keeping quiet.

Cassie almost sits down beside Dana, her hands curling into fists at her side as she tried to fight her natural instincts. She wants to go check on you, make sure that you’re okay after today. She also just wants to see you, your face somehow both engraved in and slipping through her mind.

“Goddamit,” Cassie mumbles to herself under her breath. “Hey, D.” Your mom looks up to Cassie, raising a brow in question in the same way you do. “I kind of forgot that I told Harrison I’d call him. I’ll be back.”

“No problem, hon.”

Cassie smiles at her friend, thankful but also guilty. She weaves through the yard, the sound of fireworks crackling behind her. Cassie moves around your house quickly, but slows as she walks upstairs. When she reaches the top, she almost chickens out, but forces one foot in front of the other all the way to your bedroom.

The door leading in is cracked open. Cassie knocks lightly with her knuckles. When there’s no response, she gently pushes the door open, the hinges creaking. You’re not in your bedroom, but the window above the garage is open, Cassie already knowing that’s where you are.

She approaches cautiously, her heart beating out of her chest. Cassie can see your side profile as she gets closer. Since the social aspect of the festivities are over now, you’re wearing a pair of pajama shorts and a t-shirt. She carefully climbs through the frame. The last time she climbed out a window was decades ago when she snuck out in high school religiously.

You hear a soft patter, assuming it’s just a firework. But when you hear it again, this time closer, so you turn around. You’re a bit startled, but you don’t jump as you see Cassie coming into the roof.

She looks up from her feet and at you, realizing she’s been caught. “Sorry,” she winces with an apologetic, sheepish grin. “I’m sorry, I can go, I—”

“It’s okay,” you cut her off, tenderness washing over your features as your lips curl into a warm smile.

Cassie looks at you for a moment longer, making sure you really don’t mind before venturing further down the roof until she’s at your side. She sits how you are, knees pulled to her chest and her eyes on the sky.

Colors burst overhead as you sit together in silence for a minute, the sound of crackling explosions in the air above the only things you can hear. Hesitantly, like she doesn’t know if she’s allowed to or not, Cassie turns her head to look at you. You’re mesmerized by the fireworks painting the sky. Her lips unconsciously curve softly as she watches your wondrous expression, completely mesmerized by you.

When you turn to look at Cassie, she looks away like a teenager whose crush just caught them staring. You let out a fond chuckle, and then sigh peacefully. Cassie’s face flashes in various colors as different fireworks go off in the distance.

“Did you want to sneak away from the party or just see me?” you tease, knowing that Cassie is an introvert.

Chuckling, Cassie looks at you again, her gaze meeting yours. “Both?”

You smile at her answer, then looking back to the shimmering sky. “I’m sorry for uh…” your voice trails off, instead replaced by a humorous scoff as you recall your actions earlier today, “for you know… doing all of that to you at the party.”

“You mean seducing me?”

You burst out laughing and shake your head, the sounds of your laughter filling Cassie’s ears moreso than the fireworks. “Don’t call it that,” you groan. “And it worked, didn’t it?”

“Yes,” Cassie admits, her face seemingly reddening, although, you can’t tell if it’s because of you or the lights in the sky.

You watch the current round of fireworks flicker through the sky, shapes of fruits appearing. Then, in a playful voice you ask, “were you serious about that offer?”

Confused, Cassie’s brows furrow together as she thinks over what you mean. A second later it hits her, a smirk growing on her face.

“Fuck yes,” Cassie tells you enthusiastically, hugging her knees closer to her chest, her toned arms wrapped around her legs.

Smiling softly, you let out a sigh of relief you didn’t even realize you weee holding, your shoulders relaxing. “Okay, good to know, McKay.”

Cassie looks at you, a crooked grin hanging from her face as you say her last name in that teasing yet cute tone. “You know where I live.”

“And you know where I live,” you reply, turning your head to look at Cassie too.

Her eyes crinkle in the corners as she smiles, her dimples faintly appearing. It’s so cute, even more than a new puppy. Cassie keeps gazing at you until you break eye contact, looking back to the sky because you’re blushing under Cassie’s damn piercing stare.

With a chuckle, Cassie looks back to the fireworks too. Colorful sparks burst through the sky as the sun sets fully, a cool evening breeze replaces the day’s lingering warmth. Your shoulders naturally drift a little closer to Cassie’s until they’re just barely touching. She intentionally leans closer to you, her shoulder pressing against yours. You smile softly, the red light of an exploding firework illuminating your features as Cassie glances over to you.

She smiles at your smile, dimples carving into her cheeks. You turn to Cassie, a giddy grin spreading across your face. The glow of the fireworks reflects in her blue, shadowed eyes, absolutely enchanting.

Suddenly feeling shy under Cassie’s gaze, you drop your cheek to your knees, hiding half of your face. Cassie’s smile only grows as she looks at you with such affection you’ve never felt before. The firework show continues, but you and Cassie can’t bring yourselves to look away from each other.

“Stop!” you finally say, giggling like a little kid. “You’re distracting me!”

Cassie cackles and leans closer to you. “You’re distracting me.”

“Fuck off,” you scoff, playfully rolling your eyes as sharp booms echo in the air.

“You little fucker,” Cassie murmurs as she closes the gap between you two.

“You’re the one—”

You gasp into Cassie’s mouth as she suddenly connects her lips with yours. You melt into her touch instantly, your hand coming up to cup her cheek. Cassie’s arms wrap around you. One of her hands cradles the back of your head, her fingers tangling in your hair.

You makeout for god knows how long. Cassie’s lips smoothly glide against yours, her tongue occasionally darting out. A warm feeling flutters in your stomach—not arousal but affection. Her lips feel so perfect against yours, like a final puzzle piece clicking into place.

When the kiss finally breaks, you lean your head against Cassie’s shoulder and watch the fireworks lighting up the sky. Sparks rain down in shimmering trails, gleams of color and sound colliding in chaotic bursts.

Cassie admires you for a moment before wrapping an arm around you, kissing the side of your head before resting it on top of yours. Rapid flashes and the sound of roaring crackling fill your ears. It feels as though the two of you have found your own quiet corner of the world, watching colors fade across the summer sky together.

A streak of white climbs into the darkness before exploding into a sphere of gold, its light washing over both of your faces for a fleeting second. The next firework bursts into a red heart, the sparkles lingering in the air and Cassie cuddled up at your side.

A soft sigh of contentment falls from your lips. Never did you think that you would be watching fireworks with Cassie McKay’s head on yours in your sacred spot. All of that effort you made to tempt her today was certainly worth it.

Now you know what Cassie tastes like. Sweet and sweaty like the Fourth of July.