Cassie searched his face for any kind of trick. All she could see was raw love and feelings. ‘I’ve made a new life for myself here, Kayden. People respect me and I enjoy having my own money to do with as I please without having to ask for it.’ She shook her head and sat up.
His arms dropped from her as if he were unable to hear the rejection and needed them to hold himself together.
Cassie moved from him and walked into the bathroom to splash her face and think. When she came out she had made her decision and smiled at him. ‘But all this means nothing without you.’
Kayden jumped up and swung her back up into his arms. ‘You little sneak! I thought you were telling me it was over. My heart was in my throat and I could hardly breathe.’ He swung her around. ‘I feel so happy I don’t know what to do with myself.’ He was laughing and placing little kisses all over her face and neck.
Cassie laughed with him and hugged him back. ‘Let’s go do something together. Build a new memory—a good first one. Let’s go on a real date. I’ll take you to my favourite spot.’ She grinned, wanting to pinch herself to check that he was actually there.
Kayden wanted nothing more than to take her on a date and as he slid her down he kissed her one last time before getting himself in check and taking her hand. ‘So, this is our very first date? I like that. I am all yours.’ He bowed and gestured for her to lead the way.
As they arrived at Kings Park, Cassie explained about the nights she had spent there with her friends. She pointed out the beautiful views of the city to the left, South Bank to the right and positioned in the middle, the casino where she worked. Cassie pulled up and getting out of the car, walked arm-in-arm along the path she had walked many times while dreaming of this very moment.
She took Kayden to the Whispering Wall and after sitting him at one end she walked all the way to the other. Kayden eyed the size of the seat that was shaped like a horseshoe and his fear of losing her nearly caused him to move from where he was told to stay and go to her. Cassie called out to him, distracting him from his thoughts. ‘The distance is so far you will not be able to hear a quiet voice but by leaning your ear against the wall just a whisper carries. Try it, just lean in,’ she called to him. Pressing her own cheek to the wall she whispered. ‘I love you.’
Kayden whispered back, ‘I love you, too. God, how I love you, honey.’ His voice broke and Cassie could hear him breathing heavily, trying to pull it together. Then pressing his face to the wall again he said, ‘Please, come to me. I can’t stand you to be so far away from me. Never again, Cass.’
They both stood up and began walking, meeting halfway and signifying how they were going to be in their relationship this time round. They strolled over to the wishing well where Kayden poured his heart out and bent down on one knee, kissing her hands, promising never to make her feel unimportant to him again. Her spirits lifted at his heartfelt confession and lifted again further along at the lookout where he wrapped his lovely big arms around her as she was pointing out all the fun places she’d been.
‘You must have had many men take you on dates here. I get jealous just thinking about it,’ he said, a little quiet and sullen.
Cassie didn’t answer him. She too, was feeling resentful of the many women who had frequented his arms since she’d been gone. She changed the subject, not wanting to spoil their night with silly jealousies. Instead they sat and revealed harmless scattered details of their past few months without each other. Wrapped in each other they sat on the soft grass watching the sun come up.
‘You know, Cassie, we never went out on a real date. This is perfect!’ He grinned, pulling her up from the grass and into his arms. ‘I had a great time, princess.’ He held her close.
She felt the power of his feelings. ‘I did too.’ She grinned back at him.
‘I was your first kiss, your first love and I know this sounds selfish, but I wish I had been your first date as well,’ he said as they strolled back to the car.
Cassie said, ‘Just one more stop for coffee before our date ends. There is someone I want you to meet.’ They pulled up at her home and he looked at her with eyebrows furrowed so close together by a frown that she almost giggled at him. ‘Come inside, I want you to meet the two people who have been my dates to all the lovely places I’ve told you about.’
‘I can’t, sweetheart. Let’s go somewhere private. I can’t take it just yet, meeting the other man or men in your life. I’m really not up to it, princess.’
She ignored the protest, gesturing for him to follow. ‘You’ll enjoy meeting this man. Trust me. There will be absolutely no tension,’ she said, opening his door and dragging him out of the car and inside the house.