Page 95 of Whiskey Sour
It’severything I dreamed it would be.
Although I had some rather reasonable ideas that were so rudely cut down—for instance, the absoluteneedfor a koozie decorating station—it’s still perfect.
I marvel as I take in XO. In a matter of hours, we’ve transformed it into a perfect white and silver wonderland. There are tasteful garlands hanging down the rafters, tipped with little silver stars. Glass ornaments dangle between them, catching the different hued lights and casting elaborate shadows on the dance floor. All the alcohol has been put away and in its place are different refreshments and snacks.
After setting up, Cassius and I went home to change, and the kids have already arrived. The volunteer chaperones are all intermingled amongst them, making sure everyone has a safe and wonderful time. There’s a prerecorded track playing the greatest hits of the 2000s, which is more for the adults, but even so, the kids are loving the music, dancing and having fun.
“Isn’t this amazing?” I sigh, pressing my hand over my heart as I do a slow spin. “Wow.”
Cassius looks down at me with a soft smile. “It was all you, sunshine. I don’t think anyone else would have ever gotten Davis to agree to this.”
One name comes to mind, but I keep it locked up. Tonight isn’t the time for plotting… That’ll come tomorrow.
Cassius looks absolutely dashing beside me. We splurged and bought ourselves tuxedos. I’m sure we’ll never need to wear them again, but it was important for us to have the full experience. His is elegant and black, fitting to his lean frame perfectly, while mine is a light baby blue with flourishes in the collar. We’ve already hit up the photo booth, and I pat my pocket to make sure the print-outs of us are still there.
“We should make sure that everything is running smoothly,” I say, thinking through the list of things that unfortunately couldn’t be done last minute. “Do you think Max ever found the?—”
“Hey,” he says softly as he places a gentle hand on my cheek. “You’ve done enough work. How about we have a dance?”
“But—”
Reaching out with lightning speed, he wraps his hand around the back of my neck as he drags me to him. “Dance with me.”
Well, when he puts it likethat, all growly and dominant, what is a guy supposed to do?
I’m breathless as I let him drag me to the center of the floor. As if on cue, a slower song begins to play, and I chuckle when Elvis’s smooth voice filters through the club. “Good timing, huh?”
He winks knowingly and tugs me closer. “Can’t reveal all my secrets. Need to keep you interested.”
I roll my eyes at that ridiculousness and don’t even bother with an answer.
While I may have been blinded by my own insecurities and weighed down by nightmares, Cassius has always been and will continue to be the greatest person who’s ever lived. As we dance, I finger the bruise under his right eye. It’s a little discolored, and he hisses when I put pressure on it, but I know it’ll fade.
Now that he’s let me in on his love for fighting, I went with the rest of the crew to see him in his firstprofessionalfight. While I hated seeing him get hurt, and flinched every time he took a punch to the face, I’m happy that he’s found something for himself that he enjoys. And, well, he looks hot as fuck in boxing gloves.
I showed him just how much when I let him fuck me in the locker room afterwards.
He tips his head. “What’s that look for?”
“What look?” But even I can feel the way my cheeks are quickly heating.
His grin turns wolfish as he pulls me even closer, his large hand on my back wandering dangerously low. “Get those dirty thoughts out of your head.”
“But look at you,” I gush, dragging my eyes down him. “The tux and the music and the dancing. I mean, comeon.”
“Skylar.”
I pout but wouldn’t dare push it any further. “Fine, but you’re keeping it on later.”
Chuckling, he leans forward, brushing his lips chastity against my ear. “I can do that. And maybe I’ll even use my belt to collar you. Does my princess like that idea?”
I yank my head back and scowl. “Mean.”
“Me? I’m the nicest person,” he teases, lifting an arm to twirl me.
It hasn’t escaped my attention that in the last few weeks, he’s seemed…different. Different good. He’s still the same Cassius who’s fiercely protective and unflinchingly loyal, but there’sa lightness to him that wasn’t there before. He’s been more relaxed and carefree, willing to tell me about the little problems he has throughout the day or let me know when he’s not feeling too great. While we’ve always been close, it’s brought a level of intimacy I didn't realize we were missing.
He's also finally in talks with the producer I tried to introduce him to. She’s been cool about the fact that she was brushed off because she’s genuinely interested in Cassius’s music. I don’t know if anything will come from the meeting, but it warms my heart that he even took it to begin with. Either way, I haven’t been pushing. I want to be a part of his career, but I know that this is something he has to decide on his own. I’ll support him through anything.
