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“I’m listening, baby. Sorry.”

As a reward, Rebecca gave Cassidy a sweet kiss before continuing. “She did come here to try and convince me that we weren’t good for each other. She was so hung up on age and the problems that could incur, she couldn’t see what was underneath it all. She even worried about our sex life,” Rebecca laughed.

Cass cringed hoping against hope that it was not true. That her mom didn’t talk sex with someone like Rebecca. “Oh, fuck. She did not talk to you about that did she?”

“Yes, she did. However, that’s when she realized how silly she was being and was embarrassed.”

“That’s why you told her about Samantha?”

“What I said to Lou was sincere. I told your mom what happened to me so she could understand the love I feel for you. So she could see that you mean more to me than our difference in age or sex. She still sees you as her little girl. I needed her to see you as the woman who has done more for me—emotionally and physically—than anyone else.” Rebecca wiped a tear from Cassidy’s cheek. “I agreed not to tell you unless asked because I didn’t want to be the reason for a rift between the two of you when there’s no need for one.”

“She betrayed you, though,” Cass said softly.

“Oh, honey. What happened to me isn’t some shameful secret. I don’t mind that your mom talked to her best friend about it. If Miranda heard…” Rebecca’s brows furrowed. “Has she ever lied like this before? Faked something that she saw happening to someone else?”

It took a bit of time for Cass’s mind to catch up to the change in subject. She was just feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, listening to what Rebecca felt about her. Now she had to switch gears and think about the person she’d rather not think about.

“Um…” Cass had the stories that Rand was spewing all night in her head. She sat up suddenly, nearly jostling Rebecca off her lap. “Sorry. But yeah, she has. In high school she would always be calling me, crying over something that happened. It was all pretty mundane, you know? High school problems. But I always listened, whether I wanted to or not. I would even leave dates early because she was hysterical. Oh, and if it involved someone who was in some sort of fight with her, I was the one she would come to for “protection.” I found out a couple of times that she either lied about a situation or didn’t tell the whole truth. Fuck. It never occurred to me what she was doing. How fucking blind and naïve can I be?”

“Hey, stop. You were young, and she was your friend.”

Cass snorted with derision. “What’s my excuse now? You just told me how you convinced my mom that age didn’t matter and I’m here proving you wrong.”

Rebecca moved until she was straddling Cassidy. “What you did tonight by believing Miranda without hesitation was the absolute right thing to do. My first reaction, even with my past, was doubt. One of the many reasons women who are abused don’t come forward is out of fear they won’t be believed. You gave Miranda a safe haven. It is much easier to live with being wrong about believing a liar than doubting what could’ve been a deadly truth. The only one who did wrong tonight is Miranda. And perhaps me for leaving you alone with her.”

Cass hadn’t thought of it that way. Yeah, shit happened tonight because she trusted Rand. Like the damn window. But this shit could easily be dealt with. Rebecca was right. If she had turned Rand away and it ended like what Rebecca had gone through, Cass would never have been able to live with herself. She now understood Lieutenant Chi’s desire to watch over Rebecca over the years.

“Thank you for saying that.” Cass looked over at Rebecca’s shattered window. “I’ll clean that up and have it repaired.”

“I’ll hire someone to clean it and insurance will take care of the repairs.” Rebecca checked the time. “Let’s stop by Connor’s on our way home.”

“Home? You know, if you really love this place, we could move in here.”

Rebecca smiled. “It was never about loving this place. It was about the fear of giving up everything again. Tonight, I realized that I didn’t have to give up anything with you. Because without you, I have nothing.”

“Jesus, baby.” Cass crushed Rebecca to her. “I don’t think I can explain how you’ve made me feel tonight. And I don’t want to say something stupid like ditto.” She looked up. “Give me a little time? I promise I will show you exactly what’s in here.” She placed Rebecca’s hand over her heart, melting a little when Rebecca smiled brightly.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

CASS TOOK A deep breath. Connor already didn’t like her. That certainly wasn’t going to get any better when she tells him what’s been going on.

“Are you okay?”

Rebecca’s sweet voice brought a smile to Cass’s face. “Yeah, I’m good. Just trying to figure out why I thought I wanted to do this.”

Rebecca scooted closer to Cassidy. The only thing she liked about this clunker of a truck was that the bench seat allowed her to be as close to Cassidy as she wanted to be. Well, that and the fact that the seat was much easier to have sex on than the bucket seats in her Mercedes. “Because you’re a good person and you thought hearing it from someone he knew would be easier.”

“He hates me, babe. What do you think he’s going to feel when he finds out Rand did all this to, um, be with me?”

“Betrayed by his wife. Look, you’re not going to become bosom buddies, but this is the right thing to do. And, I’m right here with you.”

Cass looked down at Rebecca’s breasts. “I only want to be bosom buddies with you.”

Rebecca laughed. “Stop looking at my tits, you fiend, and let’s go.”

Cass opened the door and hopped out. She then turned and helped her significantly shorter girlfriend out by lifting her from the waist. God, she loved this truck.

“Would you like me to talk to him?” Rebecca asked.