Familiar Strangers - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Andrea (POV)

I still couldn't believe what had just happened between Cassey and me. The office was silent, thick with guilt pressing down on me. I was still in the same position Cassey had left me in, slumped over my desk, absently kicking at it. The moment we had shared was intense, consuming, and the way Cassey had kissed me... God, I still wanted her. I wanted her so bad it had physically hurt at the sound of my phone ringing.

The call! The call had ruined it all and when I had told Cassey that Blake was on his way to the office, everything had shifted. The air between us becoming suffocating, and the silence as we got dressed was heavier than I could bear. We had taken a step forward, but now it felt like we had fallen a thousand steps back. If only Cassey knew, if only that phone hadn't rung, I wouldn't have stopped myself. I wouldn't have held back.

The undeniable part? Was that I still craved her. I wanted to know what would have happened if Blake hadn’t called. Would we have gone all the way?

Yes!

Without hesitation.

But then again, if Blake had walked in that? What would I have said?

I had never told him the full truth about Cassey. Back in college, before we started dating, he had been my confidant. My best friend and I had spoken about Cassey, but never by name. She was just an alias, my Jane Doe. The girl I loved but had left behind.

I was tired of this game Cassey and I were playing. Today, I had set my mind on confronting her about our past. Yesterday, I had hesitated to bring up the pictures, but when I finally did, she had bolted. She hadn’t returned until this morning.

From the moment I had seen Cassey's name on the applicant's list for my assistant position, I had known. It had to be her. Even though she had no experience, her résumé had been enticing. But the truth was, I had chosen her because I wanted her here. She was the only name that meant something to me. A past I hadn't fully forgotten or let go off.

Cassey had always loved to write. Back in high school, her essays were unmatched. It made sense that she had pursued a degree in journalism. I had been two grades ahead of her, but that had never mattered. We had been inseparable.

I never told Blake that I had hired my ex. How could I explain this pull to Cassey? It was addicting.

I had left the country on a sports scholarship, using it as an excuse to run from what I felt. From her. I was terrified, terrified of the intense emotions she made me feel. Terrified that I was losing myself that I loved Cassey Bookner.

Every moment with Cassey had more questions plaguing me, each one heavier than the last. What if she hadn’t felt the same way? What if my family had found out and turned their backs on me? What if they saw me as a freak for wanting her the way I did? The weight of those thoughts had crushed me back then, suffocating any hope before it could even take root. I had always been a pessimist, never daring to dream too far ahead. And when faced with the terrifying possibility of loving her, truly loving her, I had done the only thing that felt safe.

I ran.

I went to Britain for four years and cut off all contact. I had changed my number and convinced myself that forgetting was better for both of us.

And then fate brought her back to me. I couldn't ignore this sign.

I had given Cassey the job without a second thought, drawn to the promise of her. But I had never expected Cassey to act like she didn’t know me, as if the years we'd spent tangled in each other’s lives had never existed. Cassey had walked into my office with perfect poise, her expression unreadable, and addressed me as Ma’am. Like I was just another boss, just another face in the world. A stranger.

The shock of it had knocked the air from my lungs. I had wanted to believe Cassey would eventually drop the act, but she had valiantly held onto it. Until today.

When I placed our old picture on the wall above her desk, I had seen the truth in her eyes. Cassey couldn’t deny it anymore. The memories were right there, staring back at her. She had turned pale, her breath hitching, before she had fled.

I had followed.

If Blake hadn’t called…

I didn’t know if I was angry at him or relieved.

A knock at my door then the sound of Blake entering broke my trance. There he was standing in my office, oblivious to the turmoil inside me.

"Hi," I greeted distracted.

Blake glanced around, frowning. “Your office looks different. A bit crowded. Why do you have two desks in here?”

“I’m sharing the space with Cass,” I said trying to sound casual.

“Why though?”

“Because I want to, Blake.”

He wasn’t satisfied with that answer. “Your assistant always sat outside. Why is it different with Cassey?”

I clenched my jaw. “Blake, did you come here just to question me how I arrange my office?”

He sighed. “True… but And...”

“Drop it.” My tone was sharp, but I couldn’t help it. I needed him to stop pushing. Cassey had been gone for a while and it still ate at my mind not knowing where she was or what she was thinking.

Blake studied me for a moment, then softened. “Where’s my kiss?” he asked playfully as he leaned down for the caress.

I gave Blake a quick peck on the cheek and turned back to my desk.

“Hey, not that kind of kiss. My kiss.” His voice was teasing, “The one I’ve been looking forward to all day.”

I forced a smile. “Blake, I kiss you all the time.”

“Not like that.” He pouted. “Besides, what if your precious Cass walks in like last time?”

The mention of her name sent a jolt through me. “Dont call her like that, she’s my assistant, Blake.”

“Right,” he said, eyeing me. “You two seem to be getting along well. Even got nicknames now.”

Before I could respond, the door knocked, and Cassey’s head peeked in.

Her gaze flicked to Blake, then to me, and I saw it, the flash of anger before she masked it with indifference.

“Can I come in, Miss Andrea?” she asked, her tone polite but distant.

“Yes.”

“I was wondering if I could leave early today. I’m not feeling well.” Looking at her, I could see her clenched fists trembling at her side. Nothing about her had changed, Cassey was still as bad at hiding her anger like in the past.

“Are you okay, Cassey?" Blake jumped in before I could reply, "I know working with my girlfriend can be exhausting. She’s a workaholic.” He chuckled.

Cassey gave him a small smile. “I’ll be fine. Just having one of those off days," she explained, then turned back to me. “But if you need me to stay...”

“You should let her go,” Blake said.

I wanted to yell at Blake to shut up. He didn't need to interfere. I wanted Cassey to stay. She was running again. Avoiding me.

But I couldn’t do that.

“Sure, you can go,” I finally said. “You’ve been a diligent worker, Cassey. I hope you feel better soon.”

She nodded, quickly gathering her things.

Blake watched her leave. “She looks sad,” he mused. “I hope she feels better.”

I swallowed hard. “Yeah. Me too.”

Blake turned back to me. “Wanna go out later?”

“No,” I said immediately. “I’m exhausted. I just want to rest before I visit my mom and sister tomorrow.”

“I can cancel my plans and come with you,” he offered.

“No, it’s fine,” I assured him. “You deserve to have fun.”

Blake searched my face. “You sure?”

“Definitely.”

Blake hesitated, then smiled. “So… can I collect my kiss now?”

Before I could respond, another knock interrupted us. Jimmy walked in, needing to discuss some accounting files. I exhaled loudly, unable to hide my relief. Blake glanced at me, but I was already focused on my staff.

With that, Blake left, and after his presentation, Jimmy followed suit, finally leaving me alone with my thoughts. My gaze drifted to Cassey's empty desk, a wave of despair settling over me.

The framed photo now rested against the wall behind her chair—I had removed it. Maybe I had gone too far with it.

Should I call her?

Would she even pick up?

Knowing Cassey, she wouldn’t.

Or had I already pushed her away for good with my actions today?

Without warning, I felt the tears run down my face, hot and fierce.

I didn’t even know why.

I was scared.

Scared that I had never really stopped loving her.

Scared that she had stopped loving me.

Scared that I would hurt Blake.

Scared that if he ever found out, he would hate me.

But most of all… I was scared of how much I still needed her. I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew one thing, I wasn’t ready to let Cassey go again.