Page 20 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!

Harriet measured her words carefully. “She is happy. But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t happy with you.”

“She was never that happy. I…I couldn’t give her the things she wanted.”

“The kids thing?”

Cass shook her head. “No. Lots of things. I’ve got too many weird habits and odd boundaries. Kendal must have hated being married to me.”

Oh, my Lord, this was awful. Harriet hated hearing Cass speak so low of herself. “No way, Cass. Kendal loved you. She still loves you. You wouldn’t have the relationship you have today if she hated any part of her life with you.”

Cass shrugged. “But I’m not upbeat or sunny. I’m miserable and stiff. I need routines and hate change.”

“And Kendal knew all that before she married you.”

“I feel broken, Harriet. Like there is something wrong with me. Why can’t I be like everyone else?”

“You’re perfect the way you are, because you’re authentic.”

“I’ll be alone forever,” Cass cried.

Okay, this was interesting. So much for Cass wanting to be alone. She’d certainly given Harriet the impression she didn’t want a partner.

“But you don’t want to date,” Harriet replied, hoping she wasn’t pushing too much.

Cass cackled. “Because there’s no point. Women leave me because I’m weird and inflexible. It hurts too much, so I just stopped.”

Argh, how should Harriet respond? A large part of her wanted to remind Cass that she wanted to date her. But Cass was seriously intoxicated, and it wouldn’t mean anything if they had that conversation right now.

“I think the right woman will love you for all that you are, Cass.”

Harriet stifled a laugh as Cass blew a raspberry. “Then where is she?” Cass asked loudly.

I’m right here.

“She’s out there, Cass. You just have to be brave enough to try.”

“Yeah. But then when I can’t give her what she needs…you know, in the bedroom,” Cass whispered, “then she’ll be off.”

Swallowing, Harriet felt her heart beat hard. What was Cass talking about? “What do you mean?”

Cass shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m too fucked up to properly satisfy a woman. Too rigid and grumpy. I’ll be a spinster with Mr Whiskers.”

Rolling her eyes, Harriet grabbed Cass’s shoulder, effectively turning her until they were face to face. “Cassandra Beaufort, what a load of shit. You will not be a spinster. You will have Mr Whiskers, though.”

“You smell nice,” Cass murmured, her eyes cast to Harriet’s lips.

“You already said that,” Harriet replied. Oh boy, she was in trouble.

“Seductress,” Cass whispered.

Harriet laughed. “What did you just call me?” This was a very interesting conversation, indeed!

Cass looked up. “I said you’re a seductress. You keep pulling me in.”

The smile left Harriet’s face in an instant.

She could see how serious Cass was, but the fact she was still drunk gave her pause.

Knowing Cass, she’d retreat in the morning and Harriet didn’t think she could handle it if they shared something as beautiful as their first kiss, only for Cass to backtrack and get upset the next day.

Pulling back, Harriet gently cupped Cass’s cheek. “I’d like to talk about this tomorrow if that’s okay?”

Cass frowned slightly, looked back to Harriet’s lips, but remained in place. “O-okay.”

“Time for you to sleep, sweetie.”

Helping Cass off the couch, Harriet propped her up as they ambled up the stairs to Cass’s bedroom.

It was the first time Harriet had gained entry, and to be honest, it wasn’t quite how she’d envisioned it.

But after that little conversation, she had renewed hope.

Cass was interested, for sure. She saw the lust in her eyes and felt the pull.

Harriet knew for a fact, if she hadn’t pulled back, they would’ve kissed; however, their first kiss needed to be savoured and done when sober.

Laying Cass on the bed, she helped take off her trousers and top. God, she had a gorgeous figure. Instead of creeping, Harriet put on her caregiving hat and helped Cass dress in pyjamas and snuggle under the duvet.

By the time she returned with the pint of untouched water and paracetamol, Cass was snoring. Mr Whiskers jumped on the bed and curled himself into a ball. Harriet wanted nothing more than to slip in and pull Cass close. Maybe one day.

For now, Harriet would have to be content with what they had. In fairness, though, that was becoming less clear the more time they spent together.

Knowing Cass wouldn’t appreciate her presence in the morning, Harriet slipped out of the room, giving Cass’s sleeping form one last look. “Good night, sourpuss.”

Tomorrow would be interesting. Harriet had no intentions of shying away from Cass’s revelations.

She didn’t want Cass to get defensive and shut down, which she’d surely do the second Harriet reminded her of their evening.

But they’d had a breakthrough and Harriet felt it in her bones that Cass needed to unload.

She needed someone else to understand, and that person was Harriet.

“One day at a time,” she said to herself as she stepped into the street.