She brings them in, and he rips the caps off with a bottle opener attached to his keyring. And then he hands one to me, giving me a steady look that tells me that we’re about to have a conversation that might not be too comfortable.
We’ve had a few of those lately. He’s never directly addressed anything about Cassie and my past, and I’ve been wondering when that will come up because no doubt it will.
Cassie calls for Sophie and makes her excuses to head to the supermarket. At least it’ll give us time to talk.
“She’s a good girl that one,” Mark says as Sophie follows her mother out the door. “Sophie, I’m talking about.”
I nod. “She is. She reminds me a lot of her mother when she was younger.”
Mark studies me closely. “I think you know the truth, but you’re too afraid to ask her.”
I nod. “I don’t want to add to the stress she’s already under.”
He takes a long draw of his beer. “That’s how I know you’ll be good for her. I reckon you’ll work things out when the time is right.”
My throat tightens. “I wish you wouldn’t talk like that.”
Mark chuckles. “The sooner I’m gone, the sooner you can sweep her off her feet. Give her the life she was supposed to have with you.”
“You know saying this is fucked up, right? Do I need to get you a psych check-up?”
He laughs even harder before growing serious. “I know it is. But I love that woman so damn much, and I hate that I didn’t see the signs of this until it was too late. So I’m doing my best to give her the happy ending she deserves.”
“You’re a good man.”
“I wish I’d been a better man.”
I frown. “Mark, you’ve given her love for the past eight years. Sophie too. And stability. The reason she’s so broken up about this is not only because she loves you, but you’ve been their rock.”
“That’s why I need you to be here.” He looks down at his drink. “Cassie’s so strong. She had to be everything to that girl when I met her. But she’s also soft and vulnerable. She’s going to be a mess after I’m gone.”
I swallow hard. “I’ll be here for them.”
“My sister will struggle, but I don’t know how to help her. You, I got lucky with.” He chuckles again. “But I hope you and Cassie will do what you can for Lauren.”
“Anything. Anything you need.”
He studies me closely. “You’re a good man. You could have walked away from this and waited until I was gone, but you’re here and that counts for something.”
“I couldn’t walk away.” I take a sip of my drink and put the bottle down on the coffee table. “I’ve trained my entire adult life to take care of people, and I couldn’t ignore whatyou’re going through. So I’ll be here when I can, and it’s not just about Cassie.”
“Think we can be friends?”
I smile. “I think we already are.”
25
CASSIE
It all happens so fast.
We have weeks rather than months—that much is clear.
Mark’s been moved under palliative care. We have a caregiver who comes in once a day to make sure his needs are taken care of, which means I don’t worry as much while I’m at work.
It also means if anything happens, he’s not going to hospital. We have a letter from the GP for the paramedics telling them to make him comfortable instead.
I hate it, but I couldn’t argue.
