Home is Where the Heart is(72)

Cassie didn’t know what to do other than know there was truth to his words. She couldn’t be here. She didn’t feel comfortable being here with Jesse when she was thinking about Jordan.

She pushed back her chair, setting the napkin on top of her plate.

“You know, you really are a true gentleman. I don’t know how many men would be as humble as you to accept that a date was a complete bust that should never have happened. You’re going to make a woman the luckiest person in the world someday.”

She ran a hand through her blonde hair, taming her tresses.

“It happens. I’m not going to get all bent out of shape over it. The way I see it, you’re either meant to be or you’re not, and we’re simply on a different path for finding true love.”

Cassie rose to her feet and showed him a smile Jesse returned to her.

“Cassie?” he stopped her in her tracks when her name was uttered softly, and it made her turn back around. He left her with some final food for thought. “Don’t allow your past to determine your future. You can use those bad memories as a learning curve to securing a better outlook in your relationship, but you have to follow your heart, or otherwise, you will never truly be happy.”

Thinking back to those final words Jesse spoke, she knew they were more encouraging than she first realized. He was right, and tonight had given her more of a push in the right direction than she ever would have done had she not gone out and had a lousy time.

“You can do this, Cassie. You have to. You have no choice if you don’t want to spend the rest of your life alone,” she said out loud to herself and rolled her eyes.

Oh, god! I’m talking to myself, Cassie thought. Who’s really going to want me now?

She picked up her phone and dialed a number in her phone before she lost her nerve and decided not to do it, tucking her knees up and hugging her legs close to her body.

Her hands were trembling, and her palm was sweating. She didn’t know a phone call could make her so nervous.

“Hello?” Cassie heard him pick up.

“Jordan?” she asked him.

“Yes. Cassie?” he said on the other line. “What’s the matter?”

“Yes, it’s me, and nothing’s wrong. I just called to say…I think I’m still in love with you.”

Cassie couldn’t get the words out fast enough, and they were quivering with terror.

“You think you love me?”

Cassie breathed in a deep breath, steadying her nerves slowly.

“No, I know I love you. I’ve always loved you, but I’m scared to open my heart up to you at the risk of being burned all over again. I even went out on a date tonight to try and get over you.”

“You went out on a date?” Jordan tried to sound surprised, but Cassie couldn’t be fooled.

“Yes. His name is Jesse and he works with Nick. I went out with him tonight, but I wasn’t having as much fun as someone should be having when they go out on a date. His wise words spoke to me, and that’s when I finally realized I couldn’t let our past effect the future that’s likely for us if I can just allow myself to open up and believe in the possibility of second chances,” she rambled in one breath.

“He sounds like an astute man.”

“He is, but you don’t sound surprised to learn I went out on a date.”

“Why would I be? Besides, I knew you were going out on a date tonight. Nick called me earlier today and told me. But what matters is he led you back to me.”

Cassie had a “duh” moment. She should have known Nick might call Jordan and tell him.

“And of course I’m not going to be jealous or anything. You said you love me.”

Cassie couldn’t see his face, but at the sound of his voice, she knew he was showing one of his smug grins right now, like he had been right all along.

“I do,” she said softly. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Hearing him return those words to her made Cassie feel good. “And I know you’re scared—I’m scared too—but I also know this time isn’t like last time. I was just a kid and starting college then. Now I am an established man with a great career, and I am able to stand up to my father, who is no longer on my back telling me things I shouldn’t have listened to in the first place. I know what I want, and what I want is to be with you. You’re all I have ever really wanted. Of the all women I’ve dated throughout the years, they’ve never compared to you. You’ve always been in my heart, and you will continue to be in my heart forever. I know that we can make it work this time—as a family.”

Happy tears ran down Cassie’s cheeks, making her mascara run even more. She looked like a horrible mess, but she didn’t care. She was happy, and that was all that mattered to her.