Cassandra’s POV“Cassandra!” Dillon exclaimed. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” His eyes anxiously scanned my body.“No, I’m fine,” I said, looking up at him. I was relieved that the doors were finally open. But he was above me. Which meant the elevator was dangerously between two floors. My heart sank. The doors were open but I still had to get out. “Just stay there,” Dillon instructed. “The maintenance crew is here with me. They’re going to help you out.”I was happy to see Dillon, but I suddenly wondered what he was doing there. This was Jordyn’s company’s office building. It seemed awfully coincidental that Dillon just happened to be there at the same time I got trapped in an elevator. “What are you doing here?” I asked. Dillon flashed me a smile.“Don’t worry about that right now. I’ll explain later,” he told me in a voice that left no room for arguing. “Let’s get you out of there first, okay?”I nodded.“Do you think there’s enough room to pull her out?” Dillon asked whoever was
Cassandra’s POVDillon tightened his grip on my shoulder. The atmosphere between the two men was tense. I felt it.“Come on,” Dillon said to me. “Let’s get you out here. I’m sure you want to rest after all that.”Jordyn’s eyes narrowed at Dillon’s words. He seemed angry that Dillon had helped me. But whatever, I couldn’t dwell on that. I was so over Jordyn and his drama and his complicated feelings.If Jordyn was jealous, that was his issue. Didn’t he have enough on his plate with Ellie and his engagement? He needed to start focusing on his own life. “Are you sure you’re okay, Cassandra?” Jordyn asked, stepping towards us. “Maybe you should come back to my office to get checked out before you go.”Back to Jordyn’s office was the last place I wanted to go.“She’s fine,” Dillon said dryly. “I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”“I’d feel better if you just sat down for a bit,” Jordyn said, completely ignoring Dillon. “I know how much you hate confined places and…”“Thank you for your
Cassandra’s POVI appreciated his kind words. I could tell that he really cared about me. We locked eyes for a moment. Then I realized something.He’d said he’d been looking for me and had called Stella to ask where I was.“Why were you looking for me?” I asked.“Oh my god! Right! I almost completely forgot,” he said sheepishly. “I wanted to invite you to…this thing.”He looked down at his hands. He was acting a bit shy.“What thing?” I prodded.“It’s a cruise party,” he said, fidgeting with his hands. “It’s next month.”“Oh, like a date?” I asked, confused. Dillon was always so confident but he was acting strange. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was afraid to ask me.“No, it’s not a date,” he said in a rush. Cameron’s coming, too. It’s out of town. So I thought we could all go. It’s a great ship. They have live entertainment so we could catch a musical. Have a nice dinner? I think they’re having a dance, too. Oh, and there’s a casino? I suck at black jack but we could hit up some
Cassandra’s POVDillon drove me to my house.“I’m home,” I called as I came through the front door. “And I have a guest so set another seat at the table.”The maid came and took our coats.“Are you sure your parents won’t mind?” Dillon asked as I led him through the foyer.“Dillon,” I said, fixing him with a stern look. “Come on. You know you’re always welcome in our house.”“We’re out on the terrace,” my mother said in her sing-song voice.We went through the terrace doors and sure enough, both my parents were there. The table was set, with candles and fresh cut flowers. I could tell my mother had gone through some effort for this dinner.“It looks lovely,” I said, kissing her on the cheek. “I love eating outside.” Then I turned to my dad and kissed him on the cheek too.“We’ve been having such nice weather,” my father said. “So we figured, why not take advantage of it.”“Plus it’s not very often we get to eat together as a family anymore.”“Mr. and Mrs. Stoneworth,” Dillon said. “So
Cassandra’s POV“I’m sorry,” Dillon said, misunderstanding my silence for a refusal to tell him. “I was pressing and I shouldn’t have. It’s your past. It’s none of my business.”Just then, I saw a shooting star. It seemed like some sort of sign. Dillon was a good person, and even though the incident from my past was difficult to talk about, if there was anyone I could share it with, it was Dillon. I always sort of feared people would look at me differently if they knew what had happened to me. But I knew Dillon wouldn’t. He wouldn’t judge me.He wasn’t like that. Which is why I knew I could trust him. I shook my head and told him it was fine. “I just don’t talk about it very often,” I sighed. “But it’s okay. I’d like you to know.”He took my hand and squeezed it. Then he sat and waited patiently while I collected my thoughts. I didn’t even know where to start. It had been such a traumatic ordeal.“I was kidnapped,” I said, my voice low.“What?” His eyes grew wide as saucers. “Are yo
Cassandra’s POVI was deeply moved by Dillon’s words of support. I wasn’t used to feeling so supported and cared for. My marriage to Jordyn had done a real number on me, and when I found out he had cheated on me, it broke my heart. For weeks after our marriage ended, I felt inadequate. I asked myself the same questions over and over again. Why hadn’t he loved me? Why wasn’t I good enough? Why didn’t he want to be with me? I felt like such a colossal failure.But when the dust settled and it was all over, I looked back on the marriage. I’d spent pretty much our entire marriage feeling neglected. How often had I lied awake at night, waiting for Jordyn to come home, eager to see him? But then, when he had, he’d completely ignored me, choosing to take a shower and watch Netflix instead of cuddling with me. He hardly ever invited me out to his business events. Whenever I asked to go, I felt like I was annoying him. It was an awful feeling, trying to vie for someone’s attention. He was supp
Cassandra’s POVRealizing it was Jordyn, I stepped even further away from Dillon. I wondered what Jordyn could possibly want. It was a little late, after all. But then I realized it was probably a call about work.“I’m so sorry about the elevator, Cassandra,” Jordyn said quickly into the phone. “The elevator manager knew something was wrong with the elevator. He was supposed to post notices on each floor but I guess he skipped our floor. There was a malfunction with the electric pad. It had been misfiring. That’s why the elevator stopped.”I glanced over at Dillon. He was still sitting on the swing but his eyes were locked on me. It was almost like he could sense it was Jordyn. I knew that was impossible. Dillon was a good guy but he wasn’t a superhero with supernatural powers or anything. I was being silly.Besides, even if Dillon did know it was Jordyn on the phone, so what? I was in a business deal with Jordyn. I’d have to talk to him from time to time. Dillon and I were just frien
Cassandra’s POVJordyn’s voice had daggers in it. I took a moment to collect myself. Why was he being like this? He had no right to interrogate as to my whereabouts!Cameron and Dillon were talking. I really wanted to join them. It was time to cut this phone call short.“I’m with my family and friends,” I told him. “We’re just having a nice family evening.”“Is that so,” he replied sardonically.“Not that it’s any of your concern,” I added. “You’re about to marry Ellie. So why should you care about what I do?”Jordyn fell silent. I could hear him breathing but he didn’t say anything. This was ridiculous. Why was I still on the phone with him defending my actions? I could spend my time with whomever I wanted. I didn’t have to justify it to him. Maybe he should spend more time asking Ellie who SHE was with, I thought to myself snidely.I heard him inhale, then…click. He abruptly disconnected the call.I stared at my phone for a moment. He just…he hung up on me? Well fine then. Whatever.
Cassandra’s POVOn the weekend, I went to visit Stella and her mom, Julia. I stopped by the flower shop on the way to pick up some orchids, since I knew they were Julia’s favorite flower. I also put together a little gift basket with some bath bombs and scented lotions, as well as a lavender candle.“You shouldn’t have,” Julia said when I gave her the gift. “Really, Cassandra, that’s so thoughtful.”“Don’t mention it,” I waved my hand dismissively. Stella mouthed ‘thank you’ as she served us tea. I was happy to see that Julia looked well. A little pale and fragile, but she was clearly on the mend. I’d always been really fond of Julia. Stella’s parents divorced when she was very young and her dad took off, never to be heard from again. So Julia had been a single mother most of Stella’s life.We chatted well into the afternoon and ordered Chinese take-out for dinner. Shortly after dinner, Julia began to doze off, so Stella covered her in a blanket and Stella and I went upstairs to her be
Cassandra’s POVJordyn’s voice had daggers in it. I took a moment to collect myself. Why was he being like this? He had no right to interrogate as to my whereabouts!Cameron and Dillon were talking. I really wanted to join them. It was time to cut this phone call short.“I’m with my family and friends,” I told him. “We’re just having a nice family evening.”“Is that so,” he replied sardonically.“Not that it’s any of your concern,” I added. “You’re about to marry Ellie. So why should you care about what I do?”Jordyn fell silent. I could hear him breathing but he didn’t say anything. This was ridiculous. Why was I still on the phone with him defending my actions? I could spend my time with whomever I wanted. I didn’t have to justify it to him. Maybe he should spend more time asking Ellie who SHE was with, I thought to myself snidely.I heard him inhale, then…click. He abruptly disconnected the call.I stared at my phone for a moment. He just…he hung up on me? Well fine then. Whatever.
Cassandra’s POVRealizing it was Jordyn, I stepped even further away from Dillon. I wondered what Jordyn could possibly want. It was a little late, after all. But then I realized it was probably a call about work.“I’m so sorry about the elevator, Cassandra,” Jordyn said quickly into the phone. “The elevator manager knew something was wrong with the elevator. He was supposed to post notices on each floor but I guess he skipped our floor. There was a malfunction with the electric pad. It had been misfiring. That’s why the elevator stopped.”I glanced over at Dillon. He was still sitting on the swing but his eyes were locked on me. It was almost like he could sense it was Jordyn. I knew that was impossible. Dillon was a good guy but he wasn’t a superhero with supernatural powers or anything. I was being silly.Besides, even if Dillon did know it was Jordyn on the phone, so what? I was in a business deal with Jordyn. I’d have to talk to him from time to time. Dillon and I were just frien
Cassandra’s POVI was deeply moved by Dillon’s words of support. I wasn’t used to feeling so supported and cared for. My marriage to Jordyn had done a real number on me, and when I found out he had cheated on me, it broke my heart. For weeks after our marriage ended, I felt inadequate. I asked myself the same questions over and over again. Why hadn’t he loved me? Why wasn’t I good enough? Why didn’t he want to be with me? I felt like such a colossal failure.But when the dust settled and it was all over, I looked back on the marriage. I’d spent pretty much our entire marriage feeling neglected. How often had I lied awake at night, waiting for Jordyn to come home, eager to see him? But then, when he had, he’d completely ignored me, choosing to take a shower and watch Netflix instead of cuddling with me. He hardly ever invited me out to his business events. Whenever I asked to go, I felt like I was annoying him. It was an awful feeling, trying to vie for someone’s attention. He was supp
Cassandra’s POV“I’m sorry,” Dillon said, misunderstanding my silence for a refusal to tell him. “I was pressing and I shouldn’t have. It’s your past. It’s none of my business.”Just then, I saw a shooting star. It seemed like some sort of sign. Dillon was a good person, and even though the incident from my past was difficult to talk about, if there was anyone I could share it with, it was Dillon. I always sort of feared people would look at me differently if they knew what had happened to me. But I knew Dillon wouldn’t. He wouldn’t judge me.He wasn’t like that. Which is why I knew I could trust him. I shook my head and told him it was fine. “I just don’t talk about it very often,” I sighed. “But it’s okay. I’d like you to know.”He took my hand and squeezed it. Then he sat and waited patiently while I collected my thoughts. I didn’t even know where to start. It had been such a traumatic ordeal.“I was kidnapped,” I said, my voice low.“What?” His eyes grew wide as saucers. “Are yo
Cassandra’s POVDillon drove me to my house.“I’m home,” I called as I came through the front door. “And I have a guest so set another seat at the table.”The maid came and took our coats.“Are you sure your parents won’t mind?” Dillon asked as I led him through the foyer.“Dillon,” I said, fixing him with a stern look. “Come on. You know you’re always welcome in our house.”“We’re out on the terrace,” my mother said in her sing-song voice.We went through the terrace doors and sure enough, both my parents were there. The table was set, with candles and fresh cut flowers. I could tell my mother had gone through some effort for this dinner.“It looks lovely,” I said, kissing her on the cheek. “I love eating outside.” Then I turned to my dad and kissed him on the cheek too.“We’ve been having such nice weather,” my father said. “So we figured, why not take advantage of it.”“Plus it’s not very often we get to eat together as a family anymore.”“Mr. and Mrs. Stoneworth,” Dillon said. “So
Cassandra’s POVI appreciated his kind words. I could tell that he really cared about me. We locked eyes for a moment. Then I realized something.He’d said he’d been looking for me and had called Stella to ask where I was.“Why were you looking for me?” I asked.“Oh my god! Right! I almost completely forgot,” he said sheepishly. “I wanted to invite you to…this thing.”He looked down at his hands. He was acting a bit shy.“What thing?” I prodded.“It’s a cruise party,” he said, fidgeting with his hands. “It’s next month.”“Oh, like a date?” I asked, confused. Dillon was always so confident but he was acting strange. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was afraid to ask me.“No, it’s not a date,” he said in a rush. Cameron’s coming, too. It’s out of town. So I thought we could all go. It’s a great ship. They have live entertainment so we could catch a musical. Have a nice dinner? I think they’re having a dance, too. Oh, and there’s a casino? I suck at black jack but we could hit up some
Cassandra’s POVDillon tightened his grip on my shoulder. The atmosphere between the two men was tense. I felt it.“Come on,” Dillon said to me. “Let’s get you out here. I’m sure you want to rest after all that.”Jordyn’s eyes narrowed at Dillon’s words. He seemed angry that Dillon had helped me. But whatever, I couldn’t dwell on that. I was so over Jordyn and his drama and his complicated feelings.If Jordyn was jealous, that was his issue. Didn’t he have enough on his plate with Ellie and his engagement? He needed to start focusing on his own life. “Are you sure you’re okay, Cassandra?” Jordyn asked, stepping towards us. “Maybe you should come back to my office to get checked out before you go.”Back to Jordyn’s office was the last place I wanted to go.“She’s fine,” Dillon said dryly. “I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”“I’d feel better if you just sat down for a bit,” Jordyn said, completely ignoring Dillon. “I know how much you hate confined places and…”“Thank you for your
Cassandra’s POV“Cassandra!” Dillon exclaimed. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” His eyes anxiously scanned my body.“No, I’m fine,” I said, looking up at him. I was relieved that the doors were finally open. But he was above me. Which meant the elevator was dangerously between two floors. My heart sank. The doors were open but I still had to get out. “Just stay there,” Dillon instructed. “The maintenance crew is here with me. They’re going to help you out.”I was happy to see Dillon, but I suddenly wondered what he was doing there. This was Jordyn’s company’s office building. It seemed awfully coincidental that Dillon just happened to be there at the same time I got trapped in an elevator. “What are you doing here?” I asked. Dillon flashed me a smile.“Don’t worry about that right now. I’ll explain later,” he told me in a voice that left no room for arguing. “Let’s get you out of there first, okay?”I nodded.“Do you think there’s enough room to pull her out?” Dillon asked whoever was