Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

Cassie flushed a little and went back to eating her eggs.

Wyatt's chest felt like he was filled with helium. He could have floated to the ceiling he was so happy. His request tonight was looking better and better.

Cassie's phone began to ring again. She looked at it with narrowed, suspicious eyes.

“Oh, it's work.” She picked it up with a smile. “This is Cassie.”

Her smile started to fade. She said several "yes, sir"s and a couple of "I understand"s as well as some "of course"s. With every phrase, her expression fell a little and her voice became softer. Finally, she said goodbye and hung up.

“What's wrong?” Wyatt asked, reaching out to take her hand.

She blinked back tears that she pretended weren't there. “Work. They don't want me back.”

“What do you mean? They fired you?” Anger flared up in Wyatt's chest on her behalf.

“No, not fired. Just administrative leave. Indefinitely.” She shrugged and looked down at her eggs without touching them.

“Oh, Cassie. I'm so sorry,” Wyatt said softly. Guilt tugged at him.

“Apparently the hotel is still swarmed with press and guests that want to have a chance meeting the billionaire,” she explained. “They had to hire someone to deal with all the phone calls.”

Wyatt's guilt doubled. He had come in like a wrecking ball to try and be with her. Her job was her life. She loved working at the hotel. And he'd taken it from her.

“At least I'm still getting paid,” she said, trying to smile. “And it means I can spend more time with you.”

“I'm so sorry, Cassie.” Wyatt wracked his brain, trying to think of a way he could fix this. The best solution he had was for her to come with him back into the island's obscurity. Was now the right time to ask? Would she say yes with this phone call heavy on her mind?

“It'll be fine,” Cassie said, picking up her fork and taking a bite of eggs. “I'm sure this will all blow over soon. Besides, it's a great vacation for me. They didn't fire me, so I still have my job. It's actually a good thing.”

She looked up at him and smiled. He couldn't decide if she was faking her smile or if she actually meant it. He decided to wait to ask her. Stick with the plan and ask her tonight at the ball.

The plan was the way to go. Cassie liked plans. Plans worked.

Still, he could barely wait for the ball tonight to follow through on the plan.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Cassie

“Have fun,” Wyatt said as the SUV came to a halt. “I'll see you at the ball.”

Cassie nodded, kissed him on the cheek, and got out of the car.

In front of her was the most expensive salon in the state. She'd heard amazing things about the services, but she'd never even tried to book anything. She couldn't seem to justify spending that much money on just a haircut. Since her hair was usually pulled back for work, it never seemed to matter who cut it.

She swallowed hard and stepped inside. Tranquility washed over her like water, just by stepping through the door. The soft sound of water, the smell of clean linens, and welcoming, comfortable-looking furniture all greeted her.

“Ms. Turner?” the woman at the front desk asked. She smiled when Cassie nodded. “We're so glad you're here. If you follow me, I'll take you to your private room."

Cassie had never heard of a private room for a haircut before, but she happily followed the woman into a beautiful room with hardwood floors. A single comfortable looking chair sat in the center of the room. The sound of water and the soft scent from the lobby still filled the air.

“You must be Ms. Turner,” a man said, coming to greet her. He was slender and moved with elegance. His posture was amazing. “I'm Cesar.”

“It's nice to meet you,” Cassie replied. She held out her hand, and Cesar gave her a gentle handshake.

“Please come and sit,” he told her, motioning to the comfortable chair.

And thus began the best haircut of Cassie's life.