Cas stands, the swing creaking behind him. He walks towards me. Up close, he fills my whole world, broad shoulders, clean soap and whiskey scent, eyes so steady they almost undo me. His hand brushes the strap of my dress as he adjusts it gently, and the simple touch sends a shiver straight down my spine.
“Sunset,” he murmurs, his voice dropping, softer now. He leans in just enough to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing my skin. The contact is feather-light but electric. My stomach flips; my pulse hammers in my throat.
Then, just like that, his tone shifts. Steady. Certain.
“Go out with me.”
My breath catches.“Cas…”
“An official date,” he says, his eyes locked on mine.“Just you and me. Let me show you what it’s like to be cared for the way you deserve.”
I should hesitate. I should say no. Every rational part of me screams that it’s too soon. But then there are his eyes, dark and unwavering, full of quiet promise. And suddenly, every wall I built feels too heavy to hold up.
“Yes,” I whisper, barely recognizing my own voice.
My fingers clutch the strap of my bag to keep them from shaking.
His grin is slow, devastating. It starts at the corner of his mouth and spreads until those dimples appear, stealing the air from my lungs.
“Pick you up Saturday night, seven?”
I nod, unable to speak, my lips dry, my heart pounding like it’s caught in a thunderstorm.
Cas steps closer, the warmth of him bleeding into the cool night air. His scent, wood, pine, something unmistakably him, wraps around me like a secret. He leans in, close enough that my breath catches, his breath fans my lips but he doesn’t kiss me. The tension stretches thin between us, humming, alive.
“Goodnight, Sunset,” he whispers, the words brushing against my skin like a promise. Then he steps back, giving me space to breathe again, but his gaze lingers, steady, protective, burning in all the ways that make my heart ache.
I slip inside the B&B, leaning against the door once it clicks shut. Outside, I can still feel him there, like warmth in the cold, like a promise left behind in the quiet.
CHAPTER 13
Penelope
I hear Lily’s excited voice downstairs, and I know Cas has arrived to pick me up. My stomach twists. I glance at Grace, who helped me dress, again, and catch her rolling her eyes.
“I think my mother’s more excited about this than the two of you,” she mutters.
I laugh, though it does nothing to calm the nerves coiling in my chest. What if I’m not ready? Just a week ago I still flinched when he moved too quickly.
I bite my lip and twist my fingers together, staring at my reflection. Grace chose a dark blue dress with long sleeves that hug my curves and fall just above my knees. She swore it made my eyes and hair“pop,” then insisted I wear her cowgirl boots beneath it. My eyes do look brighter, thanks to the makeup she brushed on earlier.
“Stop worrying, Penny. Why are you so nervous?” Grace comes up behind me, resting her hands on my shoulders.
I meet her gaze in the mirror, my voice trembling.“What if I’m not ready? Or… what if Mark hurt me so much I can never be whole again?”
Grace’s reflection softens.“Cas is my brother, and trust me, I want to throttle him most days. But he’s also one of the best men I know.”
I manage a small smile, and she squeezes my shoulders.“You’ve been through hell, Penny. And yeah, Mark left scars, but don’t let him win twice. Don’t let him take this too.”
Tears prick my eyes.“What if I can’t give Cas what he deserves?”
“You don’t need to give him perfect. You just need to give himyou. That’s enough.” Grace’s smirk returns, sharp and fierce.“Besides, if Cas ever hurts you, I’ll make sure he regrets it every day of his life.”
That pulls a laugh out of me, breaking the tension.
She hands me a tissue, dabbing at my eyes and fixing my makeup. Then, with a grin, she smacks my ass playfully.“Now go get your life back, you strong, beautiful woman.”
I take a deep breath and head for the stairs, heart pounding.
