Page 79 of The Clause in Christmas
Derek straightened and headed for the door, clearly eager to escape further confrontation. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he called out to Cassie over his shoulder before shooting a glare at Luke and storming out, still covering his nose.
The door slammed behind him.
For a moment, Luke didn’t move. Every ounce of energy seemed to have drained from his body with the adrenaline. He didn’t know what to say. Or think.
“Luke, what are you doing here?” Cassie asked, her tone soft, barely above a whisper. And the pleased, hopeful lilt to her question gutted Luke to his core.
He still wanted to wrap his arms around her and shower her with all the love and affection he possessed. But how could he? She’d left Poppy Creek to work with her ex. And didn’t even tell him.
“I…” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “I came to check on you. To see how things were going with the Christmas Calendar.” Never mind it was almost 10:00 p.m. And he could have waited until morning.
Cassie didn’t seem to notice his illogical explanation. At the mention of the Christmas Calendar, her eyes pooled with tears.
The urge to comfort her overrode all other emotions, and Luke instinctively slid his arm around her shoulder. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
They moved to the couch together, and once they sat down, the entire story spilled from Cassie’s lips between sobs.
Luke listened in stunned silence as Cassie told him everything, from her mother’s rehab to Derek’s job offer to the destruction of the Christmas Calendar. His gut wrenched with each new confession, and he pulled her in closer, wishing she hadn’t tried to carry the burden on her own.
“It’s all such a mess. And it’s all my fault.” Cassie sniffled, wiping her eyes with the edge of her sleeve.
“It’s not all your fault,” Luke said firmly. “But why didn’t you come to us for help?”
“I don’t know,” Cassie said weakly. “I suppose I’m used to figuring things out on my own.”
Luke rested his chin on the top of her head. He could see how Cassie would feel that way. But he wanted her to know, from now on, that she could count on him. “I would have loaned you the money,” he said softly.
Shifting her weight, Cassie tilted her head back, her gaze tender as she whispered, “Thank you.”
Luke’s breathing slowed as he held her gaze.
Before he could speak, Cassie blinked, her attention dropping to her hands. “I still can’t believe the Calendar is gone.”
“Not entirely.”
“What do you mean?”
Luke smiled. “I’ve been doing my job for a long time. Do you really think I wouldn’t have a backup copy?”
“Luke!” Throwing her arms around his neck, Cassie kissed his cheek. “You’re amazing!”
Luke chuckled, savoring the lingering warmth from her lips against his skin.
The evening hadn’t turned out the way he thought. But it had solidified one truth in his heart.
He couldn’t be everyone’s rock, no matter how hard he tried.
But he could be Cassie’s.
Chapter 29
As Cassie’s eyes fluttered open, it took her a moment to adjust to her surroundings. Sunlight streamed through the plastic blinds, dancing on the bare wall opposite the window. Cassie slowly sat upright, her gaze wandering from her plain dresser with the missing handle to her sparse closet. Nothing about the space felt like home anymore. And yet…
Warmth enveloped Cassie as her thoughts drifted to Luke asleep on the couch in the other room. Simply knowing he was nearby caused a contented sigh to escape her lips. Something about his presence set her heart at ease.
Slipping from beneath the sheets, Cassie snuck a peek in her tiny bathroom mirror. Her eyes looked a little puffy from crying, but after splashing some water on her face, and running her fingers through her hair, Cassie tiptoed into the living room.
Her heart skipped at the sight of the empty couch, but the familiar gurgle of her coffee maker calmed her concerns. Smoothing down the front of her rumpled T-shirt, she rounded the corner into the cramped galley kitchen.
