“Yeah, you make it too easy,” I say, trying to get my laughter under control.
“Why are you so happy today? I guess you got laid on the weekend or something?” He asks, trying to turn the tables on me. “Come on spill, man, what’s going on with you and Cassie? You seem quite serious about her. More than I’ve ever seen you with a woman.”
“I guess I’m happy for the first time in a long time. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, and it’s really good.”
Sharing my feelings more than I would normally has Blake looking a little surprised.
“I’ve not known you to have dated the same woman more than once. Let alone have a woman stay over at your apartment before. This is serious shit for you, man.”
I shrug, as I’m not even sure where to start in analyzing my feelings. There is no way I can articulate them to Blake.
“I don’t know where this is all going, but I’m all in on finding out.”
And that’s as much as I’m willing to admit out loud to my friend.
Each time I see Cassie, it feels so easy. Like we're getting back to what we once had. But bigger and better. I want to spend more time with her to keep building on these feelings. Find out how she feels. Show her how I feel.
An idea occurs to me. “Hey, is anyone using the beach house this weekend?”
“Don’t think so, but I’ll check on the family WhatsApp,” he says, texting on his phone as he speaks.
Blake’s family owns a Southampton beach house. It has a large deck at the back with stairs directly down to the sand. A few times a year, I have a weekend break at the beach house. Sometimes with Blake and sometimes by myself. I’ve had some fun times there with Blake and his brothers or weekends with my Army buddies. Those weekends have been spent swimming, playing ball on the beach, and grilling on the deck at the end of the day.
But I’ve enjoyed time there by myself too. Quiet time when the city closes in on me and the old nightmares fill my dreams. Time when I need to hear the waves lapping at the shore easing me into sleep at night, rather than the usual city sounds. Time to dive into the ocean and wash away the stresses of work.
It’s such a cool place, and if it’s not the holiday season then pretty quiet and isolated. I haven’t taken a woman there and never wanted to, till now.
Cassie would love it. She's such a beach babe. The girl could out swim and out surf me. I bet she misses the ocean.
Blake interrupts my plans with good news. “All good, it’s free. I’m guessing I’m not on the invite list this weekend, and you’re planning something with your woman,” he says, getting up and heading toward the door.
Before leaving, with his hand on the doorknob, he turns. “All jokes aside. It’s good to see you happy, man. I’ll drop the keys off later. See you at our ten o’clock to talk about the DC trip.”
After Blake leaves, I pick up my phone to text Cassie.
Luke:Good morning, beautiful. Are you free this coming weekend? I have a great idea for a weekend away. It involves a great seafood restaurant.
Cassie:You had me at seafood.
Luke: Thought so. You’ll need to pack an overnight bag for the beach.
Cassie:Okay, sounds like fun.
Luke: Oh yeah, planning lots of fun.
Checking my online calendar, I see Bec has booked the three of us to fly to Washington, DC, first thing tomorrow morning for a series of meetings with our former Ranger friend Ben.
We have been working with Ben over the last couple of weeks on a possible Pentagon contract. His security company has a contact there, and he wants us to meet to discuss how the latest software can aid them. Getting a government contract would be a game-changer for our business. We have meetings booked for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our flight back Thursday is late, so there will be no other chance to see Cassie till Friday.
Luke:Hey, as I told you on the weekend, I’m in DC for a few days this week for work, so I won’t get to see you till Friday. We can leave Friday night or Saturday morning, whatever suits you.
Cassie:Friday night, please. It will be like a mini holiday having 2 nights away. I need a break, work is relentless.
Luke: Perfect, I can pick you up from your office Friday around 5 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your sexy red bikini.
Cassie: Sexy red bikini?
Luke: Shit, found out. I may have social media stalked you.
