Page 101

“I’m cutting onions!”

Oh, how Rebecca missed this! “You’re wearing goggles, you goof. Don’t…” Rebecca stopped mid-sentence and looked at Blaise again. “You’re wearing goggles.”

“Yeah, and?”

“She doesn’t like the way the onions sting her eyes,” Ellie explained. “So, the only way she’ll cut them is if she has goggles.”

Blaise held up a pink pair. “Got another pair here with your name on them!” She tossed them at Rebecca. “These yahoos aren’t going to do the dirty work, so put those on and get over here.”

Rebecca laughed enthusiastically. God, she felt like she hadn’t laughed like that for years. “Ladies, I love the fuck out of you!”

Eve, Ellie, and Blaise joined in on the laughter. “We love the fuck out of you, too!”

One Week Later.

“Are you sure about this?”

They sat out front of Nadia’s bar, the car still idling while Cass tried to think of a way out of this. It was stupid since she was the one who asked for Rebecca’s help. But now that they were there, Cass was nervous as fuck. What if Nadia said something to piss Rebecca off? That wasn’t Nadia’s style, but it sure as fuck was Mickey’s. This is exactly why Cass never wanted to bring Rebecca here. It used to be her playground, but now it was just a distant memory. The only reason she offered Nadia help was because they had somewhat of a history.

Rebecca watched Cassidy drum her fingers on the steering wheel. She reached over and took Cassidy’s hand. This was the first time she’d ever been to one of Cassidy’s old hangouts. She had to admit, she was curious to see what it was like.

“Why are you so nervous about this?”

Because of what I used to do here. Cass shrugged. “I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“And you think being at your old stomping grounds will do that?”

Another shrug.

“I’m good, baby. In fact, I’m kind of excited to see where you used to hang out. I feel like you gave up so much when we got together. Including your friends. I never meant for that to happen.”

“I didn’t give up anything, babe. My only real friend was Miranda, and we both know how that ended. This was just a place I’d go to, uh… find companionship for the night. Once I met you, I didn’t need anything or anyone else.”

Cassidy was so loyal and loving that it was difficult for Rebecca to imagine this different side of her. “And Nadia? Was she a friend with benefits?”

Cass looked away with embarrassment.

“She must’ve been special to you if you want to help her now.” Rebecca wouldn’t pretend that there wasn’t a tiny bit of jealousy behind that thought. But she trusted Cassidy implicitly.

“No one was special, babe. And that was a two-way street. They all had bets on who could tame ‘Cassanova.’ It was a game. And maybe it was like that for both parties, but at least I was honest with what I wanted.”

Rebecca was silent for a full ten seconds. “I’m sorry… Cassanova?” She bit her lip. “Is that what they called you?”

“Oh fuck,” Cass groaned. Who the fuck needed Micky spouting off shit when Cass could do it herself? She was never going to live this down. “You’re gonna tell Hunter and Mo that aren’t you?”

Rebecca feigned indignation. “I would never!” A smile slowly formed on her lips. “Ellie and Patty, maybe. And Eve and Lainey.”

“Babe!”

Rebecca laughed. “Yes, Cassanova?”

“Baaaabe!”

The laughter increased with Cassidy’s whining. “I’m just kidding, baby. Though, I will be calling you that as punishment when you deserve it.”

“Can I use my safe word for that?” Cass pouted.

“Nope. Now, let’s get this over with so we can go home. I have plans on how to conquer Cassanova.”

Cass opened her mouth to argue, then thought of all the possibilities. Heh. “Yes, Mistress.”

What the mind forgets, the heart remembers. True love will always find a way.