Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

“How was your flight this morning?” Cassie asked, settling more delicately into her own chair.

Brianna shrugged. “Totally normal,” she replied. “I'll be glad to be back in my own bed, though. Janessa snores.”

“You didn't sleep with Janessa last night,” Cassie replied, opening up the paper bag. The scent of greasy cheeseburgers and fries hit her nose, and she smiled. Brianna always got the good stuff.

“Julia snores even louder,” Brianna informed her. She held out a hand for a cheeseburger from the bag. Cassie handed her one and took one for herself. She wasn't on a bridesmaid dress diet anymore.

“Sorry to hear that,” Cassie replied. “It's probably the pillows. They had the super fluffy ones, but they aren't good for neck support. They really should put firmer pillows in for their guests.”

Brianna chewed on her burger but raised a single eyebrow at Cassie. “Thanks, Ms. Hotel.”

Cassie ignored her and bit into her cheeseburger. The greasy goodness combined with the sweetness of the bread and the sour of the pickles perfectly. She let out a happy little moan.

“How was your flight?” Brianna asked. “I thought you had today off since you were supposed to be on my flight.”

Cassie shrugged. “The flight was fine. I couldn't sleep this morning, so I came in to work on things.”

Brianna nodded, chewing carefully.

“What?” Cassie asked.

“You doing okay? I mean, with Wyatt and everything?”

Cassie carefully set her burger down on the wax paper. “I'm fine.”

“He came by after you left. He even brought flowers.”

Cassie stared at her food. Her heart ached for Wyatt. She'd cried nearly the entire trip home, which she hated. She never cried. She actually came into work this morning just to have something to distract her. She didn't want to be alone in her apartment with thoughts of Wyatt and the life she could have had.

Better to stick to the life she knew. The life she liked.

“Well, it wouldn't have worked out anyway,” Cassie said, picking up her food again. “He was a bartender on a tropical island. What about kids? What about a house?” She shook her head. “There was no future there.”

“You're right.” Brianna nodded. A wistful smile crossed her face. “He was hot, though.”

Cassie grinned. “He sure was. And sweet. And smart. And...” The smile faded. “And totally not what I need in my life right now. I did the right thing coming back early.”

“Are you trying to convince you or me of that?” Brianna asked.

“Neither. We both know it was the right thing to do.”

Brianna crumpled up the wrapper from her burger and leaned back in her chair. She glanced around the office, looking at the stacks of paper and piled up extra uniforms.

“You going to be okay?” Brianna asked after a moment.

Cassie took a breath. “Yeah. I'll be fine. Just have to get used to being back in real life again.”

“I get that. I needed that vacation. The ocean was good for my soul,” Brianna told her. She checked her watch and stood up. “Well, I have to get home. Ian will be home in a few hours and I want a shower before he gets there.”

“Say hi to him for me,” Cassie told her. She knew Brianna was ready to see her son. “And thank you for lunch. This is way better than the PB&J sandwich I had planned.”

“PB&J?” Brianna frowned. “Seriously? I didn't know you were taking culinary tips from Ian.”

“I don't have any groceries yet.” Cassie shrugged as she stood up to walk Brianna out to the lobby.

Brianna gave Cassie a hug and a wave before leaving Cassie back at the front desk. Cassie glanced around. Nothing had changed in the past twenty minutes. Nothing ever seemed to change here. The hotel was constant.

Corporate Rule Twelve: All StarTree hotels shall have the same consistency. Guests should feel as though they are always staying in the same place, every time, at every location.