Read Cassie for Free Online

small Italian restaurant. Tony grabbed my hand and held it while we walked. It was a nice change from our first date. I liked the affection he was giving me. It felt right.
    When we arrived at our table, he pulled out the chair for me before he sat across from me. He picked up his menu and browsed the selections.
    I took advantage of the opportunity to stare at him.
    When he looked up, I looked down.
    “You look beautiful tonight,” he said. “I forgot to say that earlier when I was thinking it.”
    “I think you said it non-verbally.”
    He smiled. “I’m glad you picked up on that. So what are you getting?”
    “Tortellini,” I said.
    “Good choice,” he said. “I think I’ll be having a pizza.”
    When I looked at the prices next to the menu, my eyes widened. This place was ridiculously expensive. I couldn’t believe we were eating there. The progression of our dates was a little odd. First, we went to a hockey game, and now we were having a romantic dinner. I didn’t question it.
    “How was work today?” he asked.
    “Thank you for the flowers. They were beautiful.”
    He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
    “My friend Orlando was jealous.”
    “Why?”
    “He wishes his boyfriend would send him flowers like that.”
    “They were lovely,” he said.
    “So, why didn’t you kiss me the other night?”
    He stared at the menu again. “It just wasn’t the right time.”
    I didn’t know what that meant. “Because it was our first date?”
    “Yeah,” he said vaguely.
    I decided to drop it. “So, did you bet fifty grand on that Rangers game?”
    He met my gaze. “Why do ask that?”
    “You told Mike you bet fifty dimes.”
    “Oh,” he said. “I didn’t know you heard that.”
    I waited for him to answer my question but he never did. I was starting to realize how secretive he was. I decided to discuss something else. “Where do you live?”
    He drank from his water then returned it to the table. The candle in the center flickered for a moment. “A few blocks from Janet.”
    “Isn’t that too close?” I teased.
    “I keep the dead bolt on.”
    “Are you good friends with Scott?”
    “Yeah, Janet says the two of us are joined at the hip.”
    “That’s cute.”
    “He’s a cool guy. We have a good time together.”
    I nodded. “I’m sure that makes Janet happy.”
    “And I can keep him an eye on him.”
    “I thought you didn’t like your sister?” I said with a smile.
    “Damn…you caught me.”
    “I knew you loved her.”
    “So, where does your brother live?”
    “In the city,” I said. “He’s a sports agent.”
    “Really?” he asked with interest.
    “He says he loves it.”
    “Wow. That’s awesome. He and I would have a lot to talk about.”
    I nodded. “You would.”
    “Are you close with your parents?”
    “My dad, not really my mom.”
    “Why is that?’ he asked.
    “My dad and I just get along better. I was a tomboy growing up.”
    He smiled. “That makes sense.”
    “My mom always tried to get me to do cheerleading or ballet, but I wanted to play basketball with my dad and brother, getting dirty and smelly.”
    “If I had a daughter, I would love it if she was that way.”
    “I can’t see you having a daughter,” I said. “You seem like you’d prefer a son.”
    He shrugged. “I’d be happy with either.”
    “Do you want to have kids?”
    “I don’t know. I think I’d be happy either way.”
    I nodded. “I don’t mean to ask something personal, but how old are you?”
    “Twenty six.”
    “Oh. You’re only a year older than me.”
    “Yep. My sister and I too close in age. I think that’s why she and I get along so well. When we were younger, I’d prefer to hang out with my sister over my friends any day. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s pretty cool.”
    I smiled. “That’s sweet.”
    “Don’t tell her I said that.”
    “I’m sure she already knows.”
    “Yeah, she’s a little conceited brat.”
    I laughed. “She’s the most