“You know, I don’t think you really know her, actually. Cassie is one of the best scientists at this lab, and her references are impeccable. As well as her results. I’ll see you later, Sandy.”
I slid into the car, and she walked off in a huff. I spied her out of my rearview mirror.
“What the fuck?” I asked.
I’d never seen someone so angry over so little. Actually, that wasn’t true. It was just like the last two women I’d been married to. At least Cassie would get angry over real things, things that mattered.
Things like her mom sitting on your lap in your office.
Yep, things like that.
CHAPTER20
CASSIE
“How you feeling?”Stevie asked me over the phone that evening.
“All good, just a little headachy and achy.” I felt guilty lying to one of my very good friends, but hey, it had to be done.
There was no way I could face going into work and dealing with Brad and the whole weird, Mom thing. It just made our already kind of incestuous circle even worse.
“Oo, sounds like the flu. Sorry, girl. Soooo, has Brian been by to bring you soup or to tuck you in?” I could practically hear her smiling through the phone.
“No, he has not, and I’m like a weird, feverish mess. I don’t think he’d be interested in me now.”
“Oh please. You’re sexy all the time, Cassie. It’s really, really annoying.”
I burst out laughing, shocked at Stevie’s words. “My, how kind you are,” I replied.
“So, I know what will heal you right up.”
“Go on. Tell me your magic remedy.”
“Go onto Netflix and just watch back-to-back horror films. You know you love that.”
“Oo, you are so right!” My heart lightened. “Thank you! I can’t believe I didn’t even think of that!”
She chuckled. “You are so crazy. I can’t believe you’d watch that kind of stuff when you’re home alone too! I wouldn’t sleep for days.”
“That’s what makes me me! I think I’ll start with Woman in Black first. Very creepy.”
“I’m hanging up now. Getting scared just thinking about it,” she said.
“Go out on a date! Try a non-boring guy this time,” I teased.
“Oh thanks. Sounds like you’re not feeling too sick to make jokes,” she said sarcastically.
“Oh, I’m never too sick for that, my friend.”
“Byeeee,” she said, and I laughed as I hung up.
Talking to Stevie always made me feel better. It was a brilliant idea to take off work that day, and I deserved a few more days too. I hadn’t really taken a day off in two years. I turned on the TV, cracked open a bottle of wine, and started the horror movie marathon. Just a little dose of horror did me just fine.
The next morning, I called in sick again, and I finally responded to Jason’s text.
Hey, I’m free this afternoon, if you want to meet up.
He responded instantly.