The same man I had prayed would be a better man one day, but then I realized I was wishful thinking.
I had to make myself blink to disengage from the spell.
4
CASH
Somehow, someway I had been able to persuade Emma to have a dinner with me, and I was ecstatic. I had wanted to see her, but I could tell by our last conversation she wasn't going to go easy on me.
I had run her through the gamut, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. You could only hurt someone so many times without them telling you to go fly a kite. I had hoped she wasn't only going out with me tonight so she could tell me to kiss her ass. Time after time, I had called her, slept with her, and disappeared, ghosting her. We both had successful careers and busy lives, but she had always made time for me.
Did I prey on her knowing I would have my way with her? Probably. Was it wrong? Of course.
When I had phoned Wyatt to tell him, which in the past I wouldn't have, he didn't seem too pleased either.
I guess the last time I had seen her I had really done a job on her.
“You think you might want to stop leading her on?”
“I am not leading her on, Wyatt.”
“Okay, so you are looking for a night in the sack?”
“No.”
“I don’t believe you,” he said begrudgingly.
He did know me though, so I had to give him props.
“Cash, it’s Breigh.” She must have pulled the phone from Wyatt.
“Don’t you think enough is enough? I mean really, she has been through enough with you playing games with her.”
“I’ve always been honest with her.”
“And you have come in and out of her life, and made her think there could be a future. God knows why because I wouldn’t…” I could hear Wyatt in the background, but I couldn't make out what he was saying.
“Anyway, for the love of God, she’s finally happy. Please don't hurt her anymore.”
“I don’t intend to.”
“You don’t intend to do any of the things you do, Cash. That’s the problem.”
“All right, well, I gotta go. I will talk to y’all soon.”
I hung up the phone, not waiting on any other comments.
Frankly, I couldn’t argue with the truth now, could I?
EMMA
When Cash asked me out for dinner, I had to think about it for a minute. I wasn't sure I wanted to open that door again, but then I reminded myself what a strong independent woman I was. I was steady enough to not let him bother me any longer and play with my emotions. Four years was enough.
Okay, so he wasn't the one, I got that in my head now. I could move on.
I insisted on Cash and I meeting at Vincent’s, so I had my Mercedes and could leave should I want to. I was betting I would.
I had pulled up and walked in with my head held high. I happened to be wearing a stunning dress I had bought not long before tonight, maybe just yesterday during my lunch hour at Nordstrom's. I had on one of my pairs of Jimmy Choos that fit my foot like it was designed around it. I felt confident and ready to take on the world.
I spotted him sitting at the table in the corner, tapping on the tablecloth waiting. I began to walk his way and he met me placing a sweet kiss on my cheek. I was hyperaware of his every move, trying to resist my body’s response. He looked fantastic with a pair of dark jeans and a pressed button-up shirt. Cash always looked the part, always a dessert for the eyes. His smell, don’t even get me going. The mixture of musk and clean would make any female stop and whiff.
He put his hand on the small of my back like it was home, guiding me.
Man, did I love that.
“It’s good to see you.”
“And you,” I returned. I hoped he didn’t see my goosebumps that erupted to his touch.
We sat at the table and ordered our drinks with easy conversation about little nothings. My work, his work, Wyatt and Breigh, and of course our goddaughter, Olivia.
We opted for appetizers instead of a full meal and ordered another round of drinks. I was relaxing but also had my guard up, just like I knew I would have to.
Keep all the soldiers on the line ready to resist, Emma. You can do this.
“I was glad you agreed to see me. I know I wasn't the nicest the last time we spoke.”
‘You were a complete prick but you’ve showed me a lot of that side, I guess.”
“Can I ask you a question?” He took a drink and I watched him. “Why do you always give me another chance?”
I smiled and felt confident with my response. If he would have asked me this, say, two times ago when I had seen him, I would have probably said the chemistry between us. When we kissed we were fire, and nothing could put us out.
Torrential rain had nothing on us.
“Cash, let’s be honest. There are parts of us that are really good together. Just not the parts that are the most important, being you have commitment issues and are selfish.” I took a long sip of my wine feeling it go down my throat, craving more.
“I completely agree.” He took a drink of his whiskey keeping his eyes on me, judging my response.
“You do?” Is this a trick?
“I guess you could say I have come to a crossroads. Things aren't right at work… I really don't have the energy to date anyone anymore, and to be perfectly honest, you’re the person who always comes to my mind.”
“Well, that is crazy. You need to do something about that,” I
