Page 29 of His Best Friend's Wife
It turned out that I didn't have to run interference because Cassie orchestrated the entire dinner conversation like a pro. She flawlessly filled any gaps to keep the conversation flowing, questioned the two of them to get them to share funny stories and unique details about themselves, and pointed out every similarity or charming character trait she noted to make sure the other wasaware.
I sat back and watched her in awe. She was truly amazing, and I couldn't believe she wasmine.
The only tense moment came when Jamie mentioned the bruises on my face when I had arrived at the diner. Cassie's gaze darted to me. "He beat you up?" She sounded alarmed as she caressed mycheek.
"It wasn't that bad," I reassured her, thrilled that she cared somuch.
Jamie cleared her throat, but didn't call me out on the lie about my mangledface.
"I thought it was just one punch." Cassie looked down, "I should have stayed and tried to intervene, instead of runningaway."
I kissed her hand. "You had a lot on your mind." Letting her off the hook felt good. We grinned at each other before pressing our lipstogether.
When we finally emerged from our bubble of happiness, we found that Jamie and Manny were leaning together, talking quietly to each other. Cassie and I shared a warm look––both of us basking in the joy of playing a part in this obvious lovematch.
I cleared my throat and lifted my glass of sweet tea. "It's good, but not nearly as delicious as Jamie's." I grinned ather.
Manny chimed in, agreeing with my assessment, so Cassie decided she couldn't wait to try Jamie's specialty beverage. Jamie agreed to brew her an entiregallon.
By the end of the evening, we had reverted to each couple being lost in conversation with each other, effectively ignoring the duo across thetable.
I winked at Cassie and mouthed the words, "I loveyou."
She leaned in, giving me a nice view of her cleavage, and whispered in my ear––even though the other couple wasn't paying a bit of attention to us. "I'm aching to show you with my body how much I loveyou."
That was all the prompting I needed. I faked a huge yawn and said loudly, "We'd better get going. It's late, and I'm beat," Ilied.
The other couple gave me an odd look because it couldn't have been much past 9:00 p.m. Comprehension dawned on both of their facessimultaneously.
"Oh, sure." Manny was the first to speak, but his frown let me know that he was not okay with the abrupt ending to theevening.
Cassie stepped in to save the day. "Just because we are old fuddy-duddies," she graced me with an ornery grin, "doesn't mean you two have to be. Why don't we get some desserts packed up to go and you can take it back to Jamie's?" shesuggested.
They both looked relieved and quickly agreed to that suggestion. I marveled at Cassie's ability to smooth over any issue. When she placed her hand on my thigh and slowly moved it up, I lost all ability to think about anything but getting my hands on her naked body. I flagged down our waitress and forced the other couple to make their dessert selectionsquickly.
When the waitress returned with the bag containing their desserts and placed the leather bill presenter on our table, I quickly shoved way too much cash inside it and moved to get up. I could sense that the other three were a little taken aback by my abruptness, but I didn'tcare.
I shuffled them to the car and quickly bid the others good night as soon as Manny parked in front of our house. I could hear the other couple chuckling behind us as I grabbed Cassie's hand and raced inside ourapartment.
Despite my urgency, I made love to Cassie slowly and passionately. It seemed like every time we came together, we discovered new heights at which to lift each other. Before Cassie, I had never imagined feeling like I truly became one with another person, but with her it felt like we shared one heart and one soul. We moved in tandem, each anticipating each other's needs and wants. Every time we had sex, I swore that it couldn't possibly get any better, yet each time it somehowdid.
We snuggled together like pretzels, basking in the afterglow of our phenomenal sexcapades when we heard passionate noises coming from nextdoor.
"I guess they really hit if off," Cassie giggled into my shoulder as we heard the pants, moans, and delighted sighs from Jamie'sapartment.
The rhythmic squeaking of her bedsprings was impossible to ignore. "Wow, I had no idea how paper-thin these walls are," I commented, realizing how much of our animalistic sounds Jamie must have sufferedthrough.
"Yeah, I think it's time we moved home." It was a relaxed remark, but I couldn't deny itsvalidity.
"About that," I started, knowing that we couldn't hide down here forever. "Will we be living at my apartment?" I wasn't sure if she would be comfortable there or if she would want to get a new placetogether.
"At first it will work," she answered before thrilling me by adding, "Until we have more kids and need morespace."
I couldn't have imagined words that would make me happier, until she said, "Besides, I used the spare key you gave me and already moved my stuffin."
The thought of our belongings already intermingling was thrilling, but I couldn't resist teasing her a little. "Kind of presumptuous, wasn't it?" I pressed my lips to her temple to let her know without a doubt that I was justkidding.
"I couldn't wait to get started on our happily-ever-after ending," she smiled up atme.
I kissed her lips before saying, "I think we are alreadythere."
