“I could formally uninvite them and they’d still show up.”
“Funny how the two of them ended up with an editor and a chef.”We both laugh.Dad owns a pharmaceutical company, but it wasn’t always that way.He started out as a rep.It’s how he met our mother, she was an intern at one of the hospitals on his route.They both worked their butts off to be where they are now, him an owner and CEO and her a surgeon.They know about hard work, but for some reason never wanted me or Nathan to have to work hard.Maybe that’s why we both have.
“Hey now, I do quite well for myself.”
“That’s an understatement.I’m really proud of you, Nathan.”
“I’m proud of you too, sis,” Nathan says, and then I hear Cedric in the background.
“I’m proud of you too, super proud,” Cedric yells, making both me and Nathan laugh.
“Hi Cedric,” I yell back.“I miss you.”
“Miss you too,” Cedric says, sounding a lot closer to the phone now.Cedric met my brother at his first restaurant opening and they’ve been inseparable ever since.Nathan calls it love at first sight, but Cedric says Nathan’s food put a spell on him.
Cedric has carved out a successful career for himself as a Venture Capitalist, a role that seems tailor-made for someone of his talents and interests.He has this incredible ability to see the potential in the most unlikely places, investing in startups and ventures that are as innovative as they are risky.Cedric is more like my father than Nathan ever has been, but only when he’s on the clock.When Cedric isn’t working, he’s loads of fun.My father never really mastered how to do both.
“I’m actually glad you’re both there,” I start, unsure how much to divulge.“I need advice.”
“This should be good,” Nathan says.“You never ask for my advice.”
“I want a more open-minded perspective.”
“Lay it on us,” Cedric says.
“I met a man,” I say, not wanting to start with a lie.It doesn’t seem like the best plan to receive honest advice, but there’s only so much I can say.So much of Cassius is a mystery.“It was a freak thing, actually, I texted his number on accident thinking I was texting a coworker, but I messed up the number.”
“And he answered?”Cedric asks.
“Yeah, at first just to tell me I got the number wrong but then we kept talking.”
“So you’re wondering if you should meet himmeethim?Like in person,” Nathan says.
“Kind of.”I choose my words carefully.“He’s…well, I’m not sure what he is, we haven’t gotten that far, but I know he operates outside of what we’d think of as a normal job.”
“Are you dating a criminal?”Cedric’s tone fakes shock.If he knew the things Cassius has said to me he’d be for real shocked.
“I’m not dating him,” I say.“I just don’t know if it’s wise to go any further than what’s already happened.You guys can Google him.Cassius Ashenheart.He owns a security company with his brothers, but it’s the lack of knowing what he actually does there along with some interestingly worded texts that has me worried.”
“Are you afraid of him?”Nathan asks.
“No.”It’s the truest thing I’ve said this entire conversation.Cassius is scary, but he doesn’t scareme.Am I capable of being okay with him being scary to other people?Hurting people?
“Then I say go for it,” Nathan says.“You called me because you want to be impulsive, so be impulsive.Have some fun.If things go sideways or it seems like he’s into more than what you bargained for you can always stop dating him.”
It will never be that simple with Cassius, but I let my brother have the comfort of thinking it would be.I may not know him well, but I know enough to know Cassius won’t make it as easy as just breaking up with him.“Cedric?”
“I’m with Nathan.You’re clearly intrigued by him so why not explore it?”
Because it might get me killed.Because I’m pretty positive he kills people.Because he’s intense in a way I didn’t know could exist in a real person.The true reasons for my hesitation.I don’t fear Cassius right now but that doesn’t mean I never will.It doesn’t mean he won’t have me around people whodoscare me.
“You’re right.He’s different.There’s an intensity there, present even in just a handful of texts.I may spontaneously combust when I’m actually face-to-face with him on a regular basis.”
“Call me if you need a fire extinguisher,” Nathan says.“Or anything else.You can always call me, Melinda.”
“You can always call us,” Cedric follows.
“Thanks, you guys.I love you.I can’t wait to see you both at the opening.”
