Free Chasing Cassidy by D. Kelly Page A

of your life.”
    “Already on it, and that began with you guys keeping the house on lockdown. I don’t want anyone getting to us but I don’t want her to be able to get out, either.”
    He chuckles. “That sounds a lot like kidnapping.”
    Shaking my head, I reply, “No, not at all… we’ll call it two weeks of coercion therapy. I’m going to remind her exactly why we fell in love and then I’m going to marry her before we leave and go back home.”
    “You don’t feel like you’re missing out? You’ve never had another girl… it’s always been her, right? Maybe this is a sign or something?” I’ve always admired Pete’s straightforward curiosity. He’s the only person I’ve ever known who loves to crawl inside someone’s mind, not to judge, but to really learn what makes them tick.
    After pushing away my plate, I lean back into my seat and think of the best way to answer him. “It’s always been her, man. We started off as friends and even though she was Ry’s best friend, she was mine, too. Cassidy went to school with us but she wasn’t one of the girls who had a lot of money. Well, she does… or did. I don’t even know for sure, but her parents never spent it on her so she had what she needed but that was it. She didn’t have designer anything but she didn’t care, either. Nothing has ever been about money to her, which is perfect for me because the only girls who have ever tried to date me have always been about the money.”
    “Yeah, I could tell she didn’t seem to care about the money. She seemed really overwhelmed by the beauty of the house, but I think she shrugged it off as your mom and her extravagant ways.”
    “Cassidy is my lifeline, Pete. She is insecure and afraid to believe in love and yet she’s the only person I’ve ever met who loves with every single part of her being. In all the years we’ve been together, I’ve never even been tempted to cheat.”
    He raises and eyebrow at me and I laugh. “I’m not dead, man. Of course I notice women, but Cassidy is fucking beautiful, inside and out. I’ve never had a conversation with a woman who even comes close to captivating me the way Cassidy does. I hit the fucking girlfriend lotto and I know it.”
    “Alright then, so what is the plan and how can I help?”
    Pete is so easygoing, nothing fazes him. “I’m going to recreate some special occasions for her, so I’ll probably need you to pick up a few things for us. Each day we’re here, I’m going to make a remembrance of a special event. I’ve got the first one handled already, but I’ll probably shoot you an email the night before so you can get me what I need for the next day.”
    “Sounds good. Are you ready to put this plan in motion?”
    “Hell yeah. The sooner I can see for myself that Cassidy is okay, the better.” As he stands, I throw some money on the table to cover our bill and the tip.
    The ride home is mostly silent. I’m exhausted and excited at the same time but no matter how excited I am to see her, I know the next two weeks are really going to be the test of our love. Cassidy has to break and let me in this time… all the way in.
    “One more question before you go in.” Pete pauses and I nod at him to continue as he pulls into the drive.
    “You’re extremely protective of her and not alpha male protective, either. Is there something I should be aware of? Stalker? Crazy ex?” I’m not sure how much I should tell him. This isn’t something Cassidy has ever broadcasted to anyone . Even Ry doesn’t know the full extent of what she’s been through.
    “There shouldn’t be anything you need to worry about, Pete. When Cassidy was a kid, her parents were abusive, but it’s been years and she’s been doing well ever since she got out of their house. This is not something she tells anyone and the only reason I’m telling you is because you’re looking out for her. Sudden movements may scare her, yelling might set off a panic attack, and