“I'll always have some sort of feelings for him, that isn't going to change. He was with me during a time I couldn't possibly take care of myself. I lost my husband at twenty-six years old. It wasn't supposed to be that way.”
“I fucking knew it!” he said, slamming his fist on the table, causing the dishes to jump. People glanced over at us.
I looked around the restaurant, taking in the stares from many people who knew the both of us, then I put my hand over his.
“Calm down, Ray. Please, you're creating a scene.”
“So, let me ask you, when he kissed you the other day, it brought up some of those feelings, didn't it?”
“I don't know what you are talking about, Ray. He didn't kiss me,” I answered, swallowing hard.
He was watching me like a hawk, taking in my every move like he was ready to pounce. He had a look in his eyes, and I feared he knew I was lying to him. I took a sip of wine, trying to pretend I didn't notice.
“I take it he told you why he left.”
I nodded, taking another mouthful of wine. “He said he needed to sort out his feelings about us.”
“I see. What conclusion did he come to?”
I felt the food rise into my throat. I really wish he hadn't of asked me that question, so I tried to pretend I hadn't heard him.
“Cass, I asked you a question.”
“You did, I'm sorry I didn't hear you.”
“What conclusion did he come to since he’s been gone?”
I grabbed my glass of wine and drank down the last couple mouthfuls.
“He made a mistake.”
“I see. Well, I'm sorry, Cass, but I know he made a huge mistake,” Ray said, taking hold of my hand.
“Why is that?”
“Well, if I were him, that's how I would feel, especially seeing now you are in a committed relationship with someone else, and he can't have you, he’s too late.”
I pulled my hand away. I clearly didn't feel the same way about him as he did about me. His words had made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I turned my attention back to my meal.
“Listen, why don't you come to my place tonight? I think it will do you good to have some space away from him right now, get things right in your head. We'll go grab the trees, then you can help me decorate mine, we'll have wine, watch a movie or two, cuddle up together by the fire, just be together and relax.”
I studied his expression for a moment, thinking about his offer. Sure, it sounded great, but I didn't need anything else to complicate matters right now. I didn't know how I felt about him or our relationship anymore.
“Or I can always come by your place and spend the night there? Make sure Brody understands you're not available for whatever it is he thinks he’s going to get. Plus, to be honest, I fear for your safety around him.”
I couldn't believe my ears. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, he didn't tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“He came into Carl's last night, drunk, provoked an argument with me, and we got in a fight. He was down there spreading shit about you, Cass. Talking about you in filthy ways, how he wanted to fuck you and wanted me to stay away from you. I dealt with him.”
“So, you're the one who split his lip?”
“He's lucky that's all I split after the things he said. He ran off like a pussy afterward. I want to make sure you're safe, Cass,” he said, rubbing my hand with his.
I wasn't sure I believed what he was saying. Brody wouldn't talk about me in a bad way, I knew better than that.