Page 6

“He said what?”

Rebecca laughed softly at Cassidy’s muttering about kicking his balls up into his throat.

“I made sure he knew I was married, baby. But that’s not really what bothered me.”

“Bothers me,” Cass grumbled. Then she remembered to stop being a selfish prick and apologized. “What was it that upset you?”

“I’m not sure upset is the right word.” Rebecca shook her head. “He was… arrogant.”

Cass fed Rebecca a bite of banana cream pie before taking one herself. “You’ve worked with arrogant people before. In fact, you’re one of the best at putting them in their place.”

Rebecca wiped her mouth, swallowing the superb pie and immediately wanting more. She was stalling. Rebecca had felt this way before but didn’t want to mention Samantha’s name ever again, especially not in front of Cassidy. Nevertheless, they swore to be open and honest with each other. Good and bad.

“Something about him reminded me of… He was just so condescending. My ideas weren’t good enough to even look at. Most of what he said focused on my looks or was sexual in nature. It’s stupid to think, but it was like he called me for the sole purpose of trying to break me down.”

Cass had set the pie aside the moment Rebecca said sexual, unable to stomach eating anything. What kind of fucker would speak to her wife like…

“Samantha,” Cass managed, her throat tight with emotion. Rebecca nodded. “Shit, baby, no wonder you’re on edge.” Cass scooted closer, wrapping an arm around Rebecca’s shoulders and pulling her into a loving embrace. “Baby,” God, Cass didn’t want to ask this question. “Did he… try something with you?”

“No.” Rebecca sat up, looking Cassidy in the eye. “No, Cassidy. He was all talk. You know I would tell you if something happened. I’ve learned my lesson on keeping things like that to myself. Nothing physical happened….”

“But his attitude was enough like… hers that it was unsettling. Do you think that’s why you were feeling a bit off in your office?”

Rebecca frowned. Was it? Did she make more of a simple situation? “Probably.” She inhaled, holding it while she counted to ten, then let it out slowly. “I don’t want to think of her. We’ve been so happy. I don’t want to ruin that.”

“Becca…”

“Wait. I’ve been keeping busy because I thought I needed to. But I think this is one area where our ages come into play.” Rebecca held up a finger when Cassidy wanted to interrupt again. “I’m not saying anything negative, baby. Your career is just starting, and I’m so damned proud of you. You have no idea how proud I am. That being said, I’ve been working my ass off for more than twenty-five years. Almost as long as you’ve been alive. I’m tired, baby. I think today showed me just how tired I am.”

“You want to retire?”

Rebecca’s nose wrinkled in disgust. The same way it always did when they discussed their ages. “I’m not that old, Cassidy. I don’t want to retire. Just… slow down. Our friends keep me busy enough. Ellie wants to expand, Blaise has her non-profit she’s starting up, and Eve and Lainey will continue to buy the planet.”

Rebecca rolled her shoulders, the tension headache she’d been feeling all day slowly beginning to fade as the idea of semi-retiring — that word still sucked — began to take shape. This conversation wasn’t even on Rebecca’s radar. Yet, here she was, making a case to get Cassidy’s approval. Not that she needed it, nor would Cassidy ever tell Rebecca what to do with her life. But Rebecca would prefer to have Cassidy’s support.

Cass drew random patterns on Rebecca’s bare arm with the tip of her finger. “Babe, I’m all for you slowing down if that’s what you want. And once this mural is finished —maybe in another ten days or so — I can slow down with you.”

Rebecca looked back at Cassidy, her head resting on Cassidy’s shoulder. “Do you really want to slow down on your art?”

Cass lifted the shoulder Rebecca’s head was currently lying on, apologizing with a chuckle when Rebecca’s head bobbed. “I want to spend more time with you. If that means slowing down, so be it.”

“Baby,” Rebecca sat up to face Cassidy. “That’s not what I want. I…” She blew out a breath. “I mean, I want to spend time with you, but not at the expense of your career or art. Listen, I can pick up yoga again. Or learn a few dishes, so I can make us dinner… oh, Ellie is going to love me,” she laughed. “My point is I can entertain myself until you get home. Then I can entertain you.”

The smile that spread across Cass’s face was beautiful and bright. “Yoga, food, and sex. Now that is my kind of retirement.”

“Can you stop saying retirement,” Rebecca scolded. “It makes me feel old.”

“Sorry, babe. Slow down. Wait. That doesn’t mean slowing down with me, does it? Shit, that sounded insensitive and selfish.”

“Cassidy…”

“I hope you know I’m not with you just for the sex, Becca.”

“Cassidy…”

“I love you with everything I am. And if you needed a break from sex, too, I would respect that….”

“Cassidy!”