Be Mine - Completed

Epilogue

Two Years Later

            "Ms. James?" Ruby, her assistant, stuck her head through the door, startling her and causing her to quickly shut her laptop.

            "Ruby, how many times do I have to remind you, please call me Cassie or Cassandra. Ms. James makes me feel old and I'm only 24."

            "I'm sorry, Cassie." Ruby chuckled, looking down sheepishly. "There's someone by the name of Alice here to see you, but she's not on your client list. Should I send her in?"

            "Yes, Ruby, please send her in. Thank you!"

            "Well, well, well, sweet digs!" Alice whistled a few minutes later, sauntering into the office. "

            "Oh my god, Al, I've missed you! It's been too long!" Penny got up and ran to her best friend, tackling her in a hug.

            "I know, I haven't seen you since you moved and changed your name, again, might I add." Alice rolled her eyes, closing the door before laying down on the couch and pretending she was a client. "So, my former friend Penelope, how many name changes has it been now?"

            "Stop being so dramatic, this is only the second time." Penny rolled her eyes at her friend, knowing she was just teasing her.

            "I've gotta say, I like the name Cassandra. I think it suits you." Alice smiled at her, showing her that she was supportive of this. "How are you doing? Truly, Pen, how are you?"

            "I'm doing okay, you know? I really like it here and the longer it gets the easier it gets. Does that make any sense?"

            "Of course it does! So, Portland, Seattle, Atlanta, and now Milwaukee. Which one's been your favorite?"

            "Honestly, I think I like it here best. The size reminds me of Portland, and the weather is more what I'm used to than Atlanta was. I'm still getting used to the new name, Cassandra James. It's strange, you know? Very different."

            "To be fair, Jennifer didn't suit you at all." Alice chuckled, looking around her office. "So, you still like being a therapist?"

            "You have no idea. I absolutely love it. I never realized how much I love helping other people until I finally got the job. That's the main reason I hate moving – leaving clients behind, especially when they're finally getting somewhere, is the hardest part of it all. Enough about me though, how's the Peace Corp? Where'd you just get back from?"

            "I got home from Cambodia two weeks ago. It's amazing, Pen. You have no idea. I've been teaching English to elementary school students and honestly, it's so rewarding. It's one of the best experiences of my life."

"How are your parents doing?"

"They're not at all happy that I didn't' go to medical school, but you know that. They're okay with me doing this but I think it's because they're holding onto hope that it's a gap year and I'll be going to med school soon, so who knows what'll happen when they find out I have no intentions of EVER going to med school."

"Yikes!" Penny chucked, letting out a breath she did know she was holding. "I miss you, Al. I miss everyone.

"We miss you, Pen. Jules and Viv keep asking about you. Can't you at least come visit us in Seattle? I haven't told them where you are or what your name is because I know how important that is for you, but we miss you."

            "The longer it gets, the more comfortable I get. Give me some time to get settled here and we'll find a way to get together. I'm not sure coming back to Seattle is the best idea, but we can take a girls trip or something."