Page 102 of Mr. B

“Um…right. Yeah.”

Cassandra laughed. “Men.”

He called out as she closed the door. “I live alone.”

She opened the door again and pointed at him. “And that’s why Frank has a problem with you. You don’t consider him a true roommate.”

“He’s a damn cat.”

“I’ll fix this.” She closed the door, then leaned on the counter and breathed in the scent of his aftershave still on her skin. She pulled the blanket tighter and sighed.

Wes was lying with his head resting on his bent arm when she left the bathroom. Cassandra went to the bed and sat next to him. “It’s very hard to leave you like this.”

“Well, I’d say, don’t leave. But…damn responsibilities.”

She kissed him. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Send me a quick text when you get home.”

“It’s a few blocks away.”

“Still.”

She kissed him again. “Okay. I should go.” She kissed him one more time, then stood. “I’m going.”

By the time Cassandra got home and into bed, it was after midnight. She sent Wes a quick text, then climbed into bed, falling asleep almost instantly. The smell of coffee woke her, meaning Bailey was already up. That never happened. Cassandra looked at the time.

“Oh, crap.” She threw back the blankets and headed for the bathroom. When she entered the kitchen fifteen minutes later, Bailey handed her a cup of coffee.

“Morning, Mom.”

“Why didn’t you wake me? I slept through my alarm.”

“You came home late. I figured you needed the sleep.”

“I’m going to be late.”

“School doesn’t start for thirty minutes.”

“Wes likes to get there early.”

“Right. You’re still his chauffeur.”

“The rest of the week.” She drank some coffee. “Which is fine. I don’t mind.”

“I’m sure you don’t. That board meeting must’ve run really late.”

Cassandra peeled a banana and took a bite. “We went to have pizza afterward.”

“They close at eight.”

“We…” She took one more bite of banana. “I need to go.” She gulped some more coffee, then picked up her purse.

“Mom, it’s okay.”

“What’s okay?”

“I’m nearly an adult. I know that you and Mr. B are…” She held up a hand. “It’s fine. Cool, actually.”