WANT (completed)

ch. 26 | Sudsy

ASA'S POV

I watch as Cassandra presses her hand against the wall, sliding her feet out of her heels. I do the same, kicking off my dress shoes, and coming up behind her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders and pulling her against my chest.

A small gasp escapes her lips from the action as she didn't expect it. I smile a bit, turning her around in my arms to look at her. Cassandra has a faint smile on her lips, which makes me happy to see, but a little hurt as I know she isn't as happy as she's been the last few weeks we've been together.

I wonder what he said to her.

Ethan.

This entire time I believed Caden to be problematic, but I realized he's nothing compared to Ethan. Her entire demeanor changed tonight and I feel as if part of me should have known that it was due to his presence.

"Asa?" My name comes off Cassandra's tongue so smoothly as if it was meant for only her to say. She could say it a million times and I think it would have the same effect on me. I feel like I'm melting each time; like a stick of butter placed near a hot stove.

"Yeah baby?" I raise my eyebrows slightly as she places her small hands against my chest firmly, pulling back slightly. I have to hold back a groan when I see her large brown eyes look up at me through her dark, long eyelashes.

"Why didn't you tell me about her?" she asks so softly. My jaw clenches at her question. Her.

I know she's talking about Lauren. Who else would she possibly be asking about? But the fact that Cassandra didn't use Lauren's name makes me feel terrible. Not because I think she's disrespecting Lauren, but because I realize now that I may have caught her off guard.

Deep down, I knew that I should have introduced them before to avoid this, but no time seemed right. How can I bring up my past in a conversation with Cassandra when it feels so good to be moving to the future?

I swallow, although it's painful as my throat has gone completely dry. "Who? Lauren?" I ask, trying to buy myself enough time. Why didn't I tell her? I should have definitely mentioned Lauren. I chose not to, but why?

Cassandra continues to look up at me with those large eyes, and I close my eyes for a second. "Yeah," she answers, her voice sweet.

I pull back from our hug, my hands quickly moving up to work at my tie. "I didn't think there was anything worth telling," I tell her with a small shrug, pulling the tie off as I begin to make my way to my room.

I can hear her following me, the sound of her bare feet padding against the wooden flooring a dead giveaway. "She was at Zac's party," Cassandra points out.

I knew she had noticed Lauren there before. I didn't think she would make the connection, or maybe assumed that she would have forgotten.

"Yeah. Zac invited her," I respond, placing my tie on my dresser, working at the buttons on my shirt. Cassandra's standing behind me. I don't have to look to be able to tell; I can feel her presence.

"Okay..." Cassandra trails off and I can tell that she's confused.

I bite down on my lower lip, trying to think of what I can tell her. The truth? I should, but I don't think I'm completely ready to do that.

"Lauren's the friend, huh?" Cassandra follows up. The pitch of her voice raises a little and I nearly flinch. I know exactly what she's referring to when she says that.

Lauren is the friend I ran out on her for.

I definitely fucked up. I shouldn't have brought Lauren tonight. I thought maybe they would like each other.