CHAPTER NINE

RYLAN

"Hey, I won't be able to make it to our training session today. Something's come up that I need to take care of. I'm really sorry! :( See you for the next one, hopefully." 

I frowned down at my phone screen, reading Cassie's text message over and over as if trying to decipher some kind of hidden code.

Something happened. 

And I'd bet my left arm that it had something to do with Mark. 

But did it also have anything to do with the bar the other night?

I was so excited to see her that night. She looked absolutely ravishing despite not being dressed for a night out. I preferred her that way. No frills, nothing attention-grabbing. Just her. 

By the time her friend called out to me, I'd already had a couple drinks and was feeling good. I wanted nothing more than to stay in that booth with her all night and just talk and enjoy each other until the sun came up.

They'd been talking about me. Her friend asking if I was single made that obvious. But Cassie looked embarrassed. Uncomfortable, even. That all melted away though when I slid in next to her and kissed her cheek. Then she looked dreamy and relaxed. 

The alcohol lowered my inhibitions and I just couldn't help myself. One look at her and I wanted to shower her in warmth and affection. Not only did she deserve it, she looked like she was starving for it. 

But in the dim bar lights, her engagement ring caught my eye and I remembered she was a taken woman. It was my duty to remain friendly but professional, which meant keeping a distance. Going out for dinner or drinks with clients was pretty common but I still maintained that professional boundary. And until I saw that ring that another man gave her, I almost crossed it. 

And now as the words of her text etched into my brain, the overwhelming instinct to cross that boundary-filled me again. Even while completely sober, she had that effect on me. 

"Are you okay?" I typed back in reply. 

Her answer came almost immediately. 

"Yeah, totally! Just some unforeseen events that need my attention." 

I could practically hear her fake cheerfulness in my head as I read her words. A stone formed in my stomach as I held the phone with an iron grip. 

Don't do this, Cass. You know I'm here for you.

I typed and erased probably ten message replies before finally settling on the simplest one. 

"Tell me the address of where you are right now."

"What? Why?" 

"Trust me." 

Several long minutes passed before the reply finally came. I stood from the bench and headed out the front door. 

"Back in a bit," I told Stephanie.

Her eyes remained glued to the computer screen in front of her. She came out with me and some of the other trainers to the bar where I saw Cassie. Steph definitely had a few too many cocktails and suggested we should sleep together, which I politely declined.

She was a fine coworker but not someone I'd ever be interested in romantically or sexually. She was too vain and vapid for me. When not working the front desk, she was taking endless selfies in the gym mirrors for her Instagram account. I wanted a girl with more substance than that. 

But before heading out to my car, I made a quick stop at the juice bar. 

*** 

Twenty minutes later I pulled up to the address Cassie gave me. It was a townhouse in a nice, well-landscaped neighborhood. She sat waiting for me on the porch swing just outside the front door. 

She had wrapped herself in a blanket, with sweatpants and a hoodie underneath. Her crystal blue eyes were red and puffy from crying and she barely looked at me as I approached. But little did she know that her appearance and distress didn't put me off at all. I only wanted to protect her even more fiercely. 

"Hey," I said, taking a seat next to her. "Brought you something." 

Her lips turned up at the slightest hint of a smile as she accepted the peanut butter chocolate smoothie from me. My eyes fell to her small hands and I noticed she no longer wore her engagement ring.

"My favorite, thanks," she said quietly. 

"There's a shot of espresso in there instead of protein," I said. "To help you take care of whatever you need to."

Her lower lip wobbled the moment I said that and her eyes welled with tears. I put my arms around her and after a half-second of resistance, she melted into me. 

"It's okay," I whispered into her hair, which smelled like strawberries. "It's gonna be okay." 

She cried softly against my shoulder as I just held her. I didn't want to pry any information out of her. I wanted her to tell me because she wanted to.

"I left him," she said with a shuddering sigh. "But I don't even miss him or feel heartbroken, except at myself. I hate that I put up with it for so long. I'm sad that I wasted years of my life with someone who didn't care."

"Don't blame yourself," I murmured, rubbing her back. "You left when you were ready and that is incredibly brave. Now you can start on healing." 

She looked at me. Even with tears streaked down her face, she was gorgeous. I brushed them away with my thumb and fought the magnetic urge to kiss her beautiful lips. 

"He's been calling and texting me," she admitted, her eyes traveling all around my face as if trying to read me. "Saying he's sorry and he really does love me and want to marry me." 

My heart squeezed uncomfortably in my chest. I couldn't force this girl to do anything but hoped she was smart enough to make the right decision. But some people always preferred a familiar situation over something new, scary, and unknown. 

"Do you believe him?" I asked, my voice slightly strained. 

"No," she said and relief washed over me like a cool breeze. "I just hate that he can lie so easily. He'll say anything just to get what he wants." 

"Then you're much better off without him in your life." 

She reached out and returned my embrace for the first time, wrapping her arms around my torso and resting her head directly on my heart. 

"Thank you, Rylan," she whispered into my shirt. "I can't tell you how much it means to me that you came here." 

I rubbed her back and rested my lips on her hair but a sudden sound made me look up. 

"Cassie," I said sharply. "Who's house is this?"

"My friend Beth's, who you met the other night." She looked up at me. "Why?" 

"Does Mark know where she lives?"

"Wha-" 

She looked out to the street where I saw the old Honda Accord with dark tinted windows creep up to the driveway. As soon as Cassie looked, the car pulled away and drove off, tires squealing with acceleration. 

I tightened my grip possessively on her, all instincts on high alert. 

Something told me I had to be extra vigilant. Our business with Mark wasn't done yet.