Page 46 of The Unlucky Waitress

Ed smirks, “But she’s skittish,” he says.

As if to make his point, Cassidy stumbles and almost falls holding a tray over burdened with empty glasses, plates and bowls.

I flinch, not because I’m embarrassed on her behalf, but because I know she’s embarrassed and I feel bad for her.

“Maybe she’s just clumsy,” I say, smiling at the thought of Cassidy, the memory of how agile she could be.

“No, she’s skittish, unsure. A whirlwind romance is one thing. A girl like Cassidy wouldn’t get married in a hurry,” Ed says with certainty.

I stretch a confident hand out to Ed and we shake on it. He might have a point about Cassidy, but he doesn’t know her like I do, he doesn’t know her at all. Then of course, there’s the deal Cassidy and I have. Ed’s money is as good as ours.

I watch Cassidy go about her business at the club, she tries to stay out of my way as usual, blushing everytime I catch her eye.

It's hard to tell whether this is all part of the act or if this is just another aspect of our fluid relationship. The lines have been blurred beyond recognition with us and maybe it's what makes it so exciting- the endless possibilities.

I watch Cassidy go into the staff locker room alone for her break and follow her. She's standing in front of her open locker when I walk in closing the door behind me. The sound of the door closing startles her and she jumps.

"Ed was right," I laugh, "You really are skittish."

Cassidy rolls her eyes. "Did he agree?" she asks.

"Of course he did," I laugh, "he doesn't think you'll make it to the altar, too skittish."

Cassidy laughs out loud, her laughter is light and musical. I can’t help but smile watching her. She's in her element, making plans and looking forward to the day when it all comes together.

I can't bring myself to tell her how far she's moved from that dull and guarded life philosophy she adapted before we met. This, I know, is the real Cassidy, the Cassidy who has dreams and is excited about life. The one who was free before things went wrong and made her too afraid to dream.

"Is Ed still here?" Cassidy asks, refreshing her lipstick.

"Yes, why?" I ask.

Without answering my question Cassidy walks up to me and pulls me into a passionate kiss, she presses her body against mine, her arms crossed behind my neck.

I hold her waist and follow her lead, then just as suddenly as she had started kissing me she pulls back and carefully wipes my lips.

"We should leave just enough for Ed to notice, to keep the story of our budding romance alive," she says.

I pull her close and kiss her again before leaving the staff room. And heading back to where Ed is sitting leaning back in his chair and chatting up the new, new waitress.

It's almost become a routine, everytime Ed is left to his own devices, he quickly finds a woman to occupy his time between conversations.

When I sit down and order another drink with a slight smudge of lipstick on my face Ed notices.

He also notices other details I wouldn't have wanted him to. He sees Cassidy at my office, notices her earrings on the coffee table in my living room and arrives at the same time as a delivery of butter at the Penthouse.

"What are you going to do with butter? I know you don't cook. What gives?" He asks, curiously looking through the crate.

"I do have a maid, you know," I say, packing the butter into the fridge myself and imagining all the delicious things Cassidy will be making with it later.

"Remind me again, why do we have to hide?" Cassidy asks, walking out of my office bathroom after a surprise visit from Ed.

"Because," I explain, "Ed knows me, if he sees you around me all the time he'll know something has changed," I say, unbuttoning Cassidy’s blouse.

She watches my hand move, pouting slightly. "Things are supposed to change, we're setting everyone up for our engagement. They should think we're in love shouldn’t they?" She asks.

I kiss the tops of her breasts. The soft flesh pressed up jiggling softly at the top of her lacey bra.

"They’re supposed to believe you're in love. Me, I'm just the asshole that's tricking you into a sham of a marriage to win a bet," I laugh, blowing raspberries on her stomach.

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