Chapter 15
Cassy
As sunlight streamed through the curtains, my eyes fluttered open. I felt disoriented for a while, wondering where I was as I took in the plain white walls covered with football posters and shelves of trophies and books.
Ivan. The name echoed sweetly in my head, reminding me of the previous night’s events. It all came rushing back to me--- his words and the passionate, meaningful lovemaking we’d had. I turned to the side, wondering where he was and what he was doing up already.
A part of me wondered if Aunt Ellen had realized already that I hadn’t gone back last night. That was irresponsible, and it could very well taint my good track record of the past weeks. I quickly got up and realized I was wearing only my underwear and shirt. I sure hope Ivan’s mom hadn’t come barging in earlier.
I put on my pants and platform shoes, grabbed my handbag, and quietly sneaked downstairs, afraid that I would bump into his mom.
The smell of pancakes coming from the kitchen made my stomach grumble. It blended with the relaxing aroma of freshly brewed coffee beans.
I was about to slip out when I heard Ivan’s voice behind me. “Sneaking out on me, huh?” he teased, shaking his head. “Tsk-tsk. City girls like you should never be trusted.”
I opened my mouth in disbelief.
“You sleep with us vulnerable guys and then just leave us hanging,” he continued. “Ouch.”
Putting my arms on my hips, I hissed, “Well, you’re the one who wasn’t in bed when I got up.”
“I woke up early to prepare breakfast for you,” he simply said with a grin. “And don’t hush. Mom’s not around.”
“Oh,” I said, relaxing.
He stepped forward then with a lazy, seductive expression on his face. Taking me in his arms, he whispered meaningfully, “We have the house to ourselves.”
I couldn’t believe it. I grinned back and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I thought you’re supposed to be having a hangover at this time,” I said.
“Nah…” he said. “You’re here and I don’t want to waste that. Besides, I already took meds for it. I’m all good.”
“Okay…” I said uncertainly as he lifted me and carried me to the kitchen with my legs wrapped around his waist. Our lips met in a zealous kiss, making my temperature rise, heat quickly spreading across my limbs.
When he lowered me on the kitchen counter, I broke off the kiss and looked him straight in the eye. He had a look of disappointment on his face.
“Do you even remember what you told me last night?” I demanded. “You were drunk, after all.”
“I told you I wasn’t drunk, just tipsy with a headache. And yes, I remember every word.”
“I’m just making sure,” I said cautiously.
He leaned forward and kissed me on the nose and then on the lips. “Sorry, city girl. I mean it, and so I’m not going anywhere. If you’re still in, then let’s have breakfast.”
I grinned. “Okay, I’m starving!”
We had our usual banter, though, over pancakes and coffee. It was just as nasty, but with a hint of sweetness. I couldn’t have been happier.
“Wait, have you heard from Aunt Ellen?” I asked. “My phone battery’s dead. And soon I’ll be too.”
Ivan laughed as he spread out the butter and syrup on my pancakes. The gesture was quite heartwarming.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “Everything’s under control. I called her to tell her that her car stalled so you caught a ride with me. But then, my knee injury acted up and it was already too late so I didn’t want you driving home by yourself. And so I let you stay over in our spare bedroom.”
“Hhhmmm…good story,” I said, nodding.
“Mom wouldn’t mind that, in case she finds out you stayed over in our extra room.”
“But I didn’t sleep in your extra room,” I pointed out.
“Well, they don’t have to know,” he said, grinning. “Your aunt trusts me, so you’re not in trouble.”
“Great,” I said. “I wonder why, though.”
He laughed, his brown eyes sparkling. “Charms,” he answered, clearing his throat and throwing back his shoulders.
“Right,” I said, laughing along with him.
Later on, we were fooling around in the kitchen when we heard the front door open. Ivan fed his mom the same story he’d given my aunt, which she immediately believed.
“We have to get back to The Pub to check the car,” he explained. “See you later, Mom.”
We laughed our way back to his car, his arm slung around my shoulders casually. “That was close,” he said.
“Oh, yeah,” I agreed with a giggle.
Once we were inside the car, he turned to me and began snaking his hand up the side of my body, making me take in a sharp breath. “Maybe we can continue here what we started,” he whispered, giving me a mischievous wink.
I pushed him away. “Shut up, Ivan. Not in broad daylight on a farm! No way!”
He just laughed and began driving away. “I was kidding,” he told me.
When we got to The Pub, thoughts of Andrea came back to me. I narrowed my eyes and scoffed.
“Thinking of Andrea?” he asked, grinning. “I knew you were jealous.”
“You wish,” I told him as I transferred to Aunt Ellen’s car and climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Hey, really, she doesn’t mean anything to me, all right?” he said, leaning forward through the open window of the driver’s seat.
“Okay, I believe you,” I said, touching his cheek.
He gave me a smack on the lips. “I’ll see you later, gorgeous,” he said, making my heart flutter.
“Get some rest and don’t show up at the farm today,” I told him. “You need to rest.”
“Yeah, yeah, fine,” he said. “You’re meeting up with Rosie after lunch at The Creamery? Tell her to make it a double date.”
I smiled. “All right.”
“They’ll be surprised,” he said, grinning.
“You bet!”
He kissed me again before stepping back. “Take care. I’ll pick you up at one o’ clock.”
I waved goodbye, a silly smile on my face during the whole drive back home.
That afternoon at The Creamery, I showed Rosie my designs for her big day, including the ones I did for her bridesmaids. She hadn’t asked for those, but I was inspired so I did them anyway. She oohed and aahed at everything, pointing out some of her favorites to her boyfriend Alex.
“Aren’t they wonderful, Alex?” she said with a smile.
“Perfect,” Alex agreed. “But you’ll look amazing in anything, Rosie.”
“You’re too sweet,” Rosie said, giggling.
As I watched them, I couldn’t help wondering if Ivan and I would eventually be like that. It was too sappy for my taste, though. Maybe we were better off throwing rude remarks at each other.
“What are you grinning about?” Ivan whispered in my ear.
“Nothing,” I said, grinning even more. “Just happy.”
“Me too,” he whispered.
Alex and Rosie were done discussing the dresses. It was really sweet how the famous football quarterback was so attentive about such details. He seemed to be involved in all the planning too, which was rare for men. Rosie was surely one lucky woman.
I felt Ivan’s hand resting on my thigh. And even though I was wearing pants, I could feel myself getting aroused easily. He just had that immediate effect on me.
Fortunately, he eventually moved his hand to link with mine under the table. Our shoulders were grazing one another as we chatted and laughed with the other couple.
Alex suddenly stopped short and gave Ivan a curious stare. “I think I’m missing something here,” he said, glancing at me and then shifting his eyes back to Ivan.
Rosie looked clueless. She was too engrossed in the designs.
“What do you mean?” asked Ivan nonchalantly.
“I sense something has changed since the last time,” Alex said, his lips turning into a grin. “Tell me I’m wrong, man. You said there was nobody special.”
“Thought so,” Ivan said, shrugging.
He was about to change the topic when Rosie’s eyes widened. Butting in, she exclaimed, “Oh, my God! You two aren’t together now, are you?”
“Uhm…” I said, not knowing how to answer.
“We are, actually,” Ivan admitted, squeezing my hand and smiling. “Just started dating…” And then he added, “Exclusively.”
That made my heart soar blissfully in a way I had never felt before.
“I knew it!” Rosie exclaimed. “So happy for you guys.”
“Fate has its ways,” I said.
“Man, this calls for a celebration!” Alex said. “Ivan’s first ever steady girlfriend!”
Ivan laughed. So it was true. He had never had a serious relationship before. He’d never been in love ever.
It made me think, my heart fluttering nervously at the official term Alex had used. Was I really Ivan’s girlfriend now? Are we even in love?
I shook my head as the subject shifted to something else. I didn’t want to dwell on what exactly we had or where we were headed. I didn’t want to overthink it.
For now, I only want to enjoy what we have while it lasts, I thought.