“You don’t know him. It won’t blow over.”
“Really? He seems so laid back.”
“He’s not laid back, he’s intense in his own way. He just doesn’t look it.” Cassie pressed on her temple, which was beginning to throb. “Oh Shel. I don’t see a way to put this back together. He can’t forgive that I didn’t tell him we’re selling to Weber. That was the deal breaker.”
Shelly looked heartened. “That’s a good sign.”
“It is?”
“The guy’s been burned. Badly from what you say. This is something he cares about, and he feels like you weren’t honest.
“That’s what he said.”
“See?” Shelly nudged her. “So call him and apologize.”
“I did apologize, but he didn’t want to hear it.” She leaned her head on Shelly’s shoulder. “And nothing’s going to change. We’re still selling.”
“He probably feels bad too. Give it a day and call him. Maybe he’ll have a change of heart.”
“I doubt it.” Cassie heaved herself off the stairs. “Let me make a couple of calls then I’ll make Dad lunch. You’ve been on duty all morning.”
“You’re in love with him.”
“What?” Cassie said faintly.
“You heard me.”
“Don’t be silly.” But the blood rushed to her face.Wasshe in love with Glenn?
“You should see yourself when he’s around.” Shelly was warming up now. “You’re like a sixteen-year-old. You were never this way with Phil. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Phil, but you two always seemed more like partners at one of those stuffy New York firms. You know, Sawyer, Linden and blah blah blah.”
“For God’s sake, don’t drag Phil into this.” Cassie began hauling herself upstairs, but Shelly abandoned the laundry and followed.
“You’re head over heels. I haven’t seen you this happy in years.”
“But I’ve only known him two months.”
“So? Toby and I got engaged after six weeks.”
“Well, you two are nuts. Anyway, how would this ever work? Never mind that he’s not talking to me anymore, he’s got a business here and I live in New York.”
“Why do you have to live in New York?” Shelly tagged after Cassie into her bedroom and dropped onto the bed. It felt like they were back in high school when they hung out for hours in one room or the other. Their dad used to gripe that he could have saved the money and bought a house with one less bedroom.
“Shel, just stop. Okay? I work for the city, I live in New York. And I wasn’t up front with him. He’s not going to get past that.” Cassie sat at the small desk and opened her computer, but her heart was back in the field, the look on Glenn’s face. How fast they had unraveled. How miserable and final it felt to walk away. Her insides felt hollow, like everything hopeful had been scraped out of them.
“The point is you’re in love with him,” Shelly said. “I told Toby, I said,Cassie’s crazy about this beekeeper. He’s very hot, better hope I don’t stay too long.”
Cassie groaned. “You told Toby about this? Don’t you have anything better to talk about than my love life? Such as it is.”
Shelly picked up Cassie’s old stuffed dog and gave him a toss. “I didn’t tell him the good parts.”
“There aren’t any more good parts.” Cassie rescued the dog from Shelly. “Don’t toss Frederick around like that; he’s fragile.” She set the dog down gently on the dresser. It would take weeks to box up everything they wanted to save and sort the rest for Goodwill. The thought of all that had to be done was exhausting.
Shelly got up off the bed. “I’m telling you, Cass, don’t let him get away. He’s a good guy, and they don’t come along very often. You can figure out the rest.”
“You’re coming with me Friday, right?” She’d been dreading the appointment with the genetic counselor for weeks, and now it was here. She felt bereft at the thought of not sharing the results with Glenn. How he’d been suddenly excised from her life.
“You know I am.” Her sister sat down again and kissed Cassie on the cheek. “Give him a call, you’ll feel better.”
