“We’re not shacking up.” Not technically, anyway. “And that’s not his job.”
“Maybe not,” Tessa replied, coming to her feet. “But he’d know more about it than we would, and I guarantee he’d do anything to help you.”
More than likely, but Cassie wasn’t going to ask. Venturing into personal favors would imply something...something they’d yet to identify in their relationship.
Yes, they’d admitted they had strong feelings for each other, but after the giant leap into intimacy, they’d pulled back the emotional roller coaster and examined where they were going.
And they still didn’t know.
Cassie spoon-fed another bite of squash and rice to Emily. Right now she needed to focus on the final race of the season, getting her school properly advertised and caring for her daughter. Ian, unfortunately, would have to fall in line behind all of that and she highly doubted he would want to. What man would? He deserved more than waiting on her leftover time.
“You’re scowling.” Tessa came to stand beside the high chair and leaned against the wall. “What’s really bothering you?”
Sisters. They always knew when to dig deeper and pull the truth from the depths of hell just to make you say the words aloud.
“Ian is out to dinner with Lily.”
A quirk of a smile danced around Tessa’s mouth. “You’re jealous? Honey, the man is absolutely crazy about you. All you’d have to do is see how he looks at you when you aren’t paying attention.”
The idea that he studied her enough to show emotion on his face for others to see made her way more thrilled than she should be. She wanted to tell him she’d fallen for him—she wanted to tell everybody. But there was that annoying little voice that kept telling her this was too good to be true and that she needed to come back to reality before she ended up hurt.
“He’s not like Derek,” Tessa informed her as if she were reading her mind. “Ian may be younger, but he’s all man and he’s only got eyes for you.”
Cassie smiled with a nod and scooped up the last bite, shoving it into Emily’s waiting mouth. “I know. There’s just that thread of doubt that gets to me, and I know it’s not Ian’s fault. He can’t help the mess that is my life.”
Laying a hand over Cassie’s arm, Tessa squeezed. “Your life is beautiful. You have a precious baby, an awesome career and the best sister anyone could ever ask for. What more could a girl want?”
To be loved.The words remained in her head, in her heart.
“So where’s your guy tonight?” Cassie asked, wiping off the orange, messy mouth, hoping to unearth her daughter. “You two aren’t normally separated for more than an hour at a time.”
With a smile that could only be equated to love, Tessa positively beamed. “He’s going over some things with Bronsonand Anthony. I’m pretty sure Dad weaseled his way into that meeting, as well.”
Cassie scooped Emily from the high chair and settled her on her hip. “I’ve no doubt Dad is weighing in with his opinion. I need to give her a bath. You sticking around?”
Shaking her head, Tessa sighed and started across the living room. “I think I’ll head home and make some dinner. It’s not often I get to cook for Grant, and he’s worked so hard lately. He needs to relax.”
Cassie squeezed her eyes shut. “I don’t want to hear about you two relaxing. Just a simple no would’ve answered my question.”
With a naughty laugh, Tessa grabbed her keys from the entry table and waved. “See you tomorrow.”
Once Cassie was alone, she couldn’t help that her thoughts drifted to Ian, to the days they’d spent at his home in L.A. and to the fact he’d taken such good care of her sweet Emily.
Yes, the man may be five years her junior, but so what? Her ex-husband had been two years older and look how well that had turned out. Cassie couldn’t hang a single argument on age, not when Ian went above and beyond to show her just what type of man he was.
After Emily was bathed and dressed in her lightweight sleeper, Cassie set some toys on a blanket and let her daughter have some playtime before bed. Settling on the couch, curling her legs to the side, Cassie rested her elbow on the arm of the sofa and watched Emily smack soft yellow and red cubes together, making them jingle.
Exhaustion consumed her, but how could she not be tired? Her plate was not only full—it was overflowing. Physically, mentally, she was drained. Her head was actually pounding so fiercely her eyes ached. Maybe she could just lay her head on the arm of the couch while Emily played for a bit longer.
Adjusting her arm beneath her head, Cassie closed her eyes, hoping to chase away the dull throb.
After the flash of panic in seeing Cassie slumped over the arm of the couch and Emily holding herself up against the edge of the couch by her mama, Ian realized Cassie had merely fallen asleep.
“Hey, sweetie,” he said softly when Emily smiled up at him, flashing her two little baby teeth. “Your mama is pretty tired. Why don’t we let her sleep?”
Ian scooped Emily up, set her in her Pack ’n Play across the room and made sure she had her favorite stuffed horse. He had to ignore her slight protesting as he crossed back and gently lifted Cassie into his arms. Murmuring something, she tilted her head against his chest and let out a deep sigh. She was exhausted and apparently couldn’t even keep her eyes open. It was so unlike her to fall asleep with Emily still up and not confined to one area.
A small bedside lamp sent a soft glow through her bedroom. After gently laying her down, he pulled the folded blanket from the foot of the bed and draped it over her curled form. Smoothing her hair from her face, Ian frowned and leaned in closer to rest his palm across her forehead.