Jared and I eventually made it home from our week of bliss and I dreaded going home to an empty apartment. That alarm clock would be going off bright and early on Monday morning. It's so difficult to go back to work when returning from such a beautiful vacation. Unfortunately, I had no food in my apartment and a shopping trip was required if I intended to survive. I also had numerous messages from Kara and Stephanie that had been neglected long enough. I have been such a shitty friend lately. I responded to Kara first and she asked me to join her for dinner.
After hugging and kissing Jared goodbye, he promised to catch up with me the next day. I drove home, unable to shake his declaration of love from my mind. Days later, I still felt guilty as hell for not saying it back. I sighed, getting out of my car and picking up the huge stack of mail from Mrs Johnson next door. I walked in the door and dropped my heavy bag on the floor, immediately kicking my shoes off as I then shuffled through mostly junk mail. Tugging my top off, I tossed it into the empty laundry basket in the hallway. All I wanted to do was shower and get some food in my growling belly before grocery shopping. God knows I am a very bad impulse shopper. I'll pick up things I don't need if I attempt to shop on an empty stomach. My phone chimed and I read Kara's message, quickly agreeing to meet up at this great Italian restaurant around six. That gave me just enough time to shower.
I ran to the bathroom and peeled the rest of my clothes off. My shower time was spent replaying the events of the past week over in my mind. Jared was so good to me, taking me to Maui. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful escape. He never leaves my mind, he's always there, either physically or mentally. He stood up to my parents, something nobody else has ever done, and he's the only stable thing in my life, aside from my job. After Brian, I never intended to enter another relationship again, but maybe that's what I needed. Was this love?
I got out and dried off, still asking myself the same question a week later. Gazing at myself in the mirror, I knew I'd have to drop it for now. I threw a dinner date with my bestie and no doubt she'd have something to say about my little disappearing act. I got dressed and sat down to apply my makeup, the whole time, attempting to think of what Kara would say. I finally exited my apartment and surprisingly arrived before Kara.
I was sat at a table and patiently waited for Kara to show up. She was five minutes late, and I smiled, watching her come in and head toward our table. "Hey, glad to see that you're still alive. I imagined I was going to have to call John Walsh to investigate your disappearance." She said with a slight attitude. I knew she wouldn't be happy with me for ignoring her calls for a solid week and would somehow blame Jared for it.
"Don't be like that. Look, I'm sorry that I've not called or taken your calls, but my parents came in for my birthday. Jared and I had dinner with them and it wasn't pleasant." I stared across the table at her, unable to stop the sly grin from spreading. "My God Kara, you should have heard the things Jared said to them! It was so great. All the years I've wanted to say something, stand up for myself and he just went for it. It was magical."
"I'm sure," she muttered, taking a sip of her water and I couldn't miss her eye roll. "I'm sorry you have to put up with that shit Cassie. Why do they bother coming for your birthday if they only want to insult you?"
I shrugged, "Wish I knew. My mother just wanted to tell me that 'their' plan for me was to be with Brian. You know, like I have no say in the matter, even though it's my life. In a way I hated that they did that in front of Jared, but at least now he understands how they are."
We ordered our food and Kara picked up the conversation right where it left off. "So, Jared got to see it in action, huh? Did he freak out on them, cause a scene in the restaurant?" She asked excitedly.
I leaned forward on the table and smirked. "I wish, but no, he just calmly told her ass off and I enjoyed every second of it." Clearing my throat, I looked away as I spoke again. "He then told them that he loved me." I chewed my fingernail and sighed. "He also said it to me while we were in Maui. I didn't say it back and feel kinda crappy about it. He truly is a great guy, Kara."
"Wait, he actually used that word?"
"He did, and I wish you guys would just be happy for me. I know that the beginning of this relationship wasn't the greatest, but he is a good person. He makes me happy and it's been so long since I've really been happy. I want this." She blankly stared at me and I sat all the way back, having said my peace and wanted to move on. Anyway... How was your week?"
She forced a smile on her face, but I knew this wasn't over and that my friends would never truly accept him. "I would be happy for you, if he treated you respectfully, but calling you in the middle of the night to go fuck him isn't what I call respectful." She rolled her eyes. "What you allow him to do to you is abusive in my eyes. I don't get that lifestyle at all. It's not okay, Cassie."
Her constant chastising of my relationship was actually starting to piss me off and if she wasn't careful, she was going to lose me. Taking a deep breath, I decided to shift the subject. "Let's talk about something else."
She grinned and leaned low to pick up the pretty gift bag she entered the restaurant with. I knew it was my birthday gift because it was adorned with colorful balloons. "So, I know this is belated, but I'm still giving it to you."
"You didn't have to do that Kara." Our food was being delivered to the table and I waited until the staff left before opening the bag. Inside was a fancy candle set and a birthstone bracelet. Kara knew of my obsession with candles. They were all over my apartment and when lit, they worked better than any air freshener I'd ever tried. "Thank you, you know me so well."
"Yeah, well, coffee scented candles are different and I didn't believe you had any like that. Hope they smell good."
"I'm certain they will. I love the bracelet."
"Happy Birthday Cassie." She went quiet for a few seconds as she ate some of her food. "So, I met someone new. His name is Andre and I've gone out with him twice already." She was absolutely glowing with excitement. I missed this with her, talking about guys and dating. Sadly, it would never really be the same anymore.
"First of all, I want you to know that I'm glad for you. Second, let me clear something up, my relationship with Jared isn't the way you believe it is. It's not an agreement anymore, it's serious now and it's very different than it was before Kara." I felt better that I had gotten it off my chest, but hoped like hell it wouldn't stir up anymore drama. "Tell me about Andre."
Her lips curved into a smile and she swirled her fork around her plate as she spoke. He's my new vet. Melinda told me about him a while back and I took Smokey in because he's still throwing up after he eats. Oh my God, this hot fuck comes walking in and I couldn't even speak, but... he was flirty. He called me that night to check on Smokey and asked me out. Jesus Cassie, he's tall, dark and very handsome."
"Awwww, so, when do I get to meet him?" I asked, picking at my fettuccine alfredo.
"Maybe this week we can all get together. Cassie, I'm not really a fan of Jared, but I'll be nice, for you. If he ever kidnaps you like that again, just know I'm coming for him."
"I'll see what his schedule is like and let you know." We are and chatted for a while, but I was unable to finish my food and had it boxed up to bring home. Kara and I parted ways and I was off to grocery shop.
