Chapter 3

Cassey(POV)

"So, how was your first day?" Stacy excitedly asked as soon as I strapped myself into the passenger seat. The curiosity from her voice incredibly hard to ignored.

I sighed, staring out the window. What would be an.appropriate answer to such a charismatic question. Till now, I was still stumped, meeting her felt like my wildest dreams coming to fruition. "Unexpected," I replied curtly with my tone giving clearly giving it all away.

"What's that supposed to mean, Cassey?" she pressed, pulling out of the office lot and onto the main road.

I hesitated for a moment, then blurted it all out in one breath. "Remember the person I had a hard time getting over? The one I never liked talking about?"

Stacy nodded slowly, though her face remained blank.

I exhaled sharply. "The girl I told you I fell for a long, long time ago?"

"Oh! Oh! I remember! What about her! Isn't she like your long lost love or something."

I frowned at her last words but decided against correcting her, "Well… she's my boss."

The silence that followed was deafening. Stacy's head whipped toward me, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Wait, what? Are you serious? That girl? Andy? Like that Andy?"

"Yeah," I muttered fiddling with the strap of my bag.

Stacy let out a low whistle before breaking into a fit of laughter. "Well, damn. I mean, you never talked much about her, but I definitely knew Andy wasn't just anyone. And now she's your boss? That's wild."

"Tell me about it," I said flatly leaning my head back against the seat. "And it's not funny so stop laughing."

"What I can't help it," Stace murmured still laughing, "So… how? How did you find yourself in this predicament? You really didn't know it was her?"

"Yes!" I let out sharply, "I got the call last minute and the lady didn't even go much details just that I had to show up today and be ready to work. I was too excited and didn't really research much on it. You know how much I've been struggling to get a job."

"Wow... I mean wow, what can I say?"

"I know," I muttered to myself. I hadn't prepared for this, not properly. Landing the job was surprising enough, but now I was kicking myself for not doing more research. If I had, I would've known beforehand. I would've been ready.

"How was it? Was it awkward? Emotional? Did you guys talk?" Her voice was laced with curiosity as she shot me a quick glance.

I shrugged awkwardly, feeling the burn of tears threaten to rise. "I… I pretended not to know her," I admitted. "She was shocked and pissed. Now she's making me work in her office, right next to her, all day."

Stacy's eyes softened with concern. "Well, that sounds… complicated. But what about you? How do you feel about seeing her again?"

I swallowed hard, looking straight ahead. My chest felt heavy, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. I took a shaky breath. "Stace, is it weird that I want to scream, cry, and shout all at the same time?" I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What do I do? I need this job but then again it will mean seeing her and reliving everything that happened."

Stacy glanced at me briefly, her face softening even more. "Cass, I'm sorry," she whispered gently. "What will you do? Will you be okay being around her all the time?"

I didn't answer right away. Instead, I looked upwards, blinking rapidly, fighting against the sting in my eyes. Andrea wasn't worth it. She wasn't worth my tears. I clenched my jaw, pushing it all back down. "It's not important," I finally said, brushing it off with a shrug.

Stacy frowned but didn't push. She knew better. "Cassey…" she started hesitantly, "It's okay to feel all of that. But it's also not worth dwelling on. The past is behind you, right? Andrea doesn't deserve that kind of power over you."

I nodded slowly, her words sinking in, even if they didn't feel true just yet. "You're right. Forgetting is best," I muttered under my breath, my fingers gripping the edge of my seat. "I've already forgotten her. Everything about her. We're just strangers now."

Stacy glanced at me again, her brow furrowed in worry, but she chose to let it go. Pushing me now would only make me shut down and she knew it. Instead, she placed her focus back on the road, her voice lightening. "Well, I'm here when you're ready to talk. But don't let her ruin your night, okay?"

I smiled faintly, grateful for her attempt to lighten the mood. "Thanks, Stace."

The rest of the drive was quiet, the silence almost comforting. When she finally pulled up in front of my apartment complex, I reached for the door handle.

"Thanks for the ride. I'll see you later," I said stepping out.

"Wait. Why not now?" she called out after me.

"Because I don't want to answer a hundred questions about my boss," I said managing a small smirk. "And I want to sleep her off. That's all."

Stacy leaned out the window, her expression playful but concerned. "You're a killjoy, Cassey. But fine. Sunday? Drinks at your place?"

"Sunday works," I said with a small wave as I stepped onto the sidewalk.

"Alright, night, Cass and don't let her win," she said softly. ,

"I won't, Stace. I promise."

"Now that's a good girl," Stace cheered before pulling out and driving down the road.

I stood there for a moment, staring after her car, her words repeating in my mind. Don't let her win. With a deep breath, I turned toward my building. Andrea wasn't going to control my life again. Not this time.

~~~~~~~~~

I stepped into the small living room, rubbing a towel over my damp hair. The scent of takeout filled the air and there was Tommy, carefully laying out the food on the coffee table.

"You didn't have to do all this," I said, my voice softer than I intended.

Tommy glanced up, giving me a small smile. "I wanted to. Figured you could use a good meal." He studied my face for a moment. "How was it?"

I hesitated, then shrugged. "It was okay but I... I don't really want to talk about it."

His expression shifted as worry settled in his eyes. "Is there anything I can do babe?"

I shook my head, dropping onto the couch beside him. "No."

Kissing my temple, Tommy handed me a container of pad Thai and some chopsticks. "Then eat first, talk later."

I chuckled. "That obvious, huh?"

"Your face says it all," he teased, nudging my leg with his.

Silence settled between us as we ate, the only sound coming from the rustling of takeout containers and the occasional clink of chopsticks against plastic. Tommy didn't push and I was grateful.

After we finished, he started cleaning up, moving around quietly. I watched him as something heavy tightened in my chest.

"Tommy?"

He turned, looking at me curiously. "Yeah babe?"

"I love you," I said suddenly. Tommy looked up and we stared at each other for a moment.

"I love you too, Cassey," he said warmly.

I swallowed, my throat tightening. "I love you," I repeated and as soon as the words left my mouth the second time, something inside me twisted. The first had come so easily, spilling out like a sudden rush of air after holding my breath too long. But the second time, I wasn't sure who I was saying it for.

Did I need Tommy to hear it again, or did I need to convince myself?

A strange kind of fear crept in, one I couldn't quite name. Loving Tommy was safe, steady, something I could hold onto. But as I repeated the words, I felt like I was reaching out in the dark, trying to find solid ground beneath me.

Did I say it because I truly felt it, or because I needed it to be true?

Tommy was still looking at me, warmth in his gaze, no hesitation in his love. I envied that certainty. I needed that certainty.

I forced myself to breathe, to push the doubt aside. Not now. I just needed to be held, to feel something steady.

"Can I have a hug?" I whispered, my voice small.

Tommy moved back on the couch and pulled me close without a second though. His arms felt warm and secure around me. I closed my eyes, sinking into the embrace, trying to quiet the part of me that was still reeling from seeing her again. I was fine. I was loved and safe with him. With Tommy. My love.

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