Free No Such Thing As True Love by A.M. Anderson

and what things went on there now. It hadn’t been that long since Cassandra had visited, but she hadn’t lived there in well over a decade. By the time their dessert coffee had cooled to room temperature, the three of them had a list of things to do before the weather got too bad for the year. They emerged from the restaurant into the late afternoon sun, full and happy.
                Maritess had decided that Cassandra should stay with her until her apartment was unpacked, and Cassandra agreed it was a great idea. They decided to walk around town for a while. Maritess and Markus each got to show Cassandra a couple of their favorite spots. One place in particular, a coffee shop, was on both of their lists. Even though both Markus and Maritess visited the establishment at least once a day, and had for years, they had never before run into each other there. Cassandra even had a chance to tell a story about her last high school sweetheart as they passed his father’s bakery. When the sun threatened to disappear behind the rise of buildings, they decided it was time to head back to Maritess’ place.
                The walk and the climb to the third floor had invigorated them. They were each cracking jokes and laughing as they walked into Maritess’ apartment. Tike was alarmed when they entered. Maritess was typically such a quiet housemate, so the additional ruckus deserved a few good barks. However, when Tike recognized Cassandra, he was a loving, jumping, slobbering puppy again. Maritess grabbed the leash to take him out, and left Cassandra and Markus alone in her apartment.
                Cassandra crossed the living room and sat on the couch. Markus’ mind flashed back to the moments he hovered above Maritess. Seeing Cassandra on the couch was a stark contrast. She was just as beautiful as Maritess, but much more easy-going. Markus was very comfortable around her, but felt a sudden pang of guilt. The emotion he felt for Maritess was still just as strong, but it was no match for the intrigue he felt towards Cassandra.
                “So,” he said to her as he took a seat in the rocking chair perpendicular to the couch, “has Maritess always been so…”
                “Stubborn and controlling?” Cassandra offered. Markus nodded his head as she continued, “Yea, but the iciness is kind of new…” Cassandra let her voice trail off as her eyes traced the pictures that ran in frames across the wall.
                “Do you know what made her so icy?” Markus asked, hoping that Cassandra would shed some light on what made Maritess so confusing to him. He studied her as she studied the pictures. They only had a couple more minutes before Maritess would be back with Tike.
                “Of course, I do,” Cassandra answered. Nothing followed. Markus was about to ask her to elaborate, but Maritess opened the front door. Markus felt a dashing disappointment as his opportunity was blown. He hoped that he would get another chance, and decided to befriend Cassandra.
                Befriending her was extraordinarily easy. Maritess made sure it was that way. She helped guide their conversation, and rarely interjected. By the time the pizza arrived, Markus and Cassandra were so involved with each other that they almost forgot to eat. Maritess smiled at them, and felt comfortable enough to pull out her laptop to work on the club’s schedule. She felt grateful that her emotions seemed to be mostly of relief, with not a hint of jealousy in sight.
                When the pizza was cold and the beer was warm, Markus decided to say goodnight. He hugged Maritess tightly, and hugged Cassandra the same way. Maritess felt a slight longing as he walked out the door, but she chalked it up to being tired. She turned to see Cassandra open up her briefcase and pull out her laptop. She had always been a night owl, and Maritess was glad to see that it