Page 97 of Finding Forgiveness

“Now who’s being rude? You saw me two days ago … I was the same size then.”

“No, you’re definitely bigger.”

Mason exits the house and joins us. When he drapes his arm around his wife’s shoulder, she looks up at him and pouts. “Why the sad face, babe?”

“Cassandra just called me a whale.”

I shake my head and round them, heading inside. I flick my eyes at Mason as I pass. He’s an idiot if he gets involved. I know from experience; when it comes to these two, he’ll only end up incriminating himself somehow and they’ll both turn on him.

Thankfully, Mason ended up taking my lead and followed me inside. He’s been around those two enough to know the score.

We are currently sitting out on the back deck having a beer with my dad while he cooks the barbeque. Standing, I grab the empty bottles. “You want another?”

“Please,” Mason answers.

“Dad?”

“Thanks, Son.”

I pause at the entrance to the kitchen and observe the three most important women in my life. They’re chatting and laughing as they make sides to go with the meat. As expected, Cass and Jaz are best of friends again, hence why I stay out of their little spits. They never lead anywhere, and if I’m being honest, their fights make no sense … Jaz never accused Cass of smelling like a brewery and Cass never called her a whale.

Smiling, I lean my shoulder against the archway and watch my girl in action. She’s in her element here. Growing up, she’d sit at the breakfast bar and watch my mum and sister work, but she hassomeskills now, which she is proudly putting to use.

She’s currently making honey and mustard dressing for the salad; I recognise the ingredients as one of the ones we learnt in culinary school.

After giving it a good mix, she lifts the bowl and holds it out in front of Jaz. “Taste this, and tell me what you think?”

My sister dips the tip of her pinkie finger in and brings it to her mouth. “Yum.” The lift that one word gives my girl chokes me up a little inside. That straightening of her posture, that small puff to her chest … but it’s the way her beautiful face lights up that gets to me most. “Taste this, Mum.”

My mum gives the same reaction. “That’s delicious, Cass. Can I trouble you for the recipe, sweetie?”

The placement of her hand on her chest, and the slight glisten in her eyes as she proudly nods her head forces me to turn my face away. “I’ll write it down for you after dinner,” I hear her say as I make my way to the fridge.

It kills me to know that the slightest bit of praise can mean so much to her. I could strangle her mother for all the damage she has inflicted. Going forward, she’ll be loved, appreciated, and protected by us. I’ll make sure of it.

“Can I get you ladies a drink?” I ask as I pull three beers out of the fridge.

“We’re good, sweetie,” my mum answers.

I walk around the island and palm Cass’s arse as I pass. “Buttercup will be ready soon,” I tell them.

“Who’s Buttercup?” Jacinta asks.

“Buttercup the cow,” I reply, looking over at Cassie and winking.

When she realises where I’m going with this, a beautiful grin lights up her face, hitting me right in the chest. “I think he’s referring to the steaks on the barbeque,” she says.

“Gah,” Jacinta grumbles. “You two are weirdos.”

“Takes one to know one,” I reply like a five-year-old.

I’m looking forward to spending the weekend here with everyone, and I think it will do Cassie the world of good.

Chapter30

Cassie

After the waiter takes our order and walks away, my attention moves back to Jacinta, where I find her giving me a strange look. “Since when do you drink peppermint tea?” she asks.