My Five Night Fling by Maci Dillon

 

 

JARETT

 

When I need them the most, words escape me.

It’s not the time or place to discuss us or our future, but I could’ve said something other than, I can’t. It was the perfect opportunity to tell her how I feel.

What the fuck was I thinking?

Lying in bed alone at lunchtime on Sunday, I wonder if it’s too early to call Sophia for some advice on what a dick I’ve been.

My phone remains completely silent since Kassidy’s text last night to say she made it home safely and needs some time alone to think. If I hadn’t seen her leave and called to check on her, I probably wouldn’t have heard from her at all.

Why would I?

“Jarett Christopher Evans, where the fuck are you?”

Ugh.

I need to take my key from her.

I climb unwillingly out of bed and throw on a pair of sweatpants to deal with my sister. And beg for her best advice.

“You look terrible,” I report, walking into the living room. “Big night?” I smirk.

“No worse than you, little bro, except I happened to have a ridiculously fantastic night and even better sex this morning.”

I raise my palm. “Please, stop. Too much information.”

“Don’t you want to know why I’m here?” she screeches, taking a seat at the breakfast bar.

“Nope. Guessed that all on my own,” I answer, pulling two bottles of water from the refrigerator.

“Kassidy filled me in. What are you going to do to fix this mess?”

“What can I do?” I shrug. “I fucked up, I apologized. I understand how she feels, but I never intended anything in the way she’s interpreted it.”

“Of course, you didn’t. You’re just a thirty-six-year-old man child with no fucking idea of how women think. Why would you need to?” Her eyes roll back in her head with exaggerated effort.

“What do you want me to say, Sophia? I’ve no clue how to navigate this.”

“You didn’t want her to leave, so you preyed on her career advancement goals to keep her here.”

“Geez, hit me where it hurts and tell me what you think, why don’t ya?”

“Is it true, Jarett? Because that’s how I see it. But Kassidy, she’s confused. Thinking you did it for her career only, and you’ve ended things with her because she found out you went behind her back to get her a job she didn’t ask for, instead of talking to her like an adult.”

“Wait, she thinks I ended things with her?”

Sophia stares at me blankly. “Something about you muttering the words, I’m sorry, I can’t do this, and walking out. Ring a damn bell?”

I bury my face in my hands. A royal fucktastrophe, that’s what this is.

“That’s not what I meant, for fuck’s sake.” I groan into my palms.

“Hmm, I figured. Kassidy, on the other hand...”

I fold my arms on the counter and wait for the big sister’s advice to start flowing.

“You love her.” It’s a statement, not a question, and it throws me off guard.

“I’ve known her for five damn minutes.”

“And loved her for three hundred seconds.”

Fuck.

“I was her holiday fling. I can’t tell her that.”

“Well, she’s not on holiday anymore, thanks to you. And I never, in your five years of marriage or before, ever saw you look at Helena the way you look at Kassidy.”

Sucker punch received.

“So, what do I do, ol’ wise one of forty years?”

Sophia jumps from her stool and throws her hands in the air. “I thought you’d never ask. Go to her. Now.” She hands me her phone, unlocking it to show me a message.

“Nope, she asked for space, and I have to respect that.”

“My ass you do, look at this.” Sophia points to a thread of messages between herself and Kassidy. The last being a screenshot of a plane ticket.

For Kassidy.

Destination—Australia.

Tonight.

“Oh fuck no.” My feet land on the tiles before my mind has a chance to catch up. I shower and dress in record time and race out the door with Sophia on my heels.

“You can go now, thank you,” I scowl at her as we exit the elevator on the ground level.

“And risk you fucking this up for good? Not today, bro. Not today.”

Sophia always has a way of having my back but also making me feel ten years old again. There’s no getting out of this one, though.

She loves Kassidy too.

Ten minutes later, I’m banging on her door louder than usual.

“Who is it?”

I point at Sophia, prompting her to answer for me. Kassidy will be more likely to answer the door for her.

“It’s Sophia. Open up, woman.”

Moments pass, which feel like minutes drowning in quicksand.

The door opens, and Kassidy stands there, wrapped in a towel with her hair in rollers. She’s fucking adorable.

Her gaze dances between the two of us before she pops her head outside the door, looking up and down the corridor.

“Quick, come in before my nosey neighbor sees me inviting guests in, while sporting this hot mess attire.”

One hell of a hot mess.

The women exchange kisses when we’re safely inside. I, however, am afforded a what-the-fuck-are-you-doing-here glance.

“He’s my brother, Kassidy. I had to tell him.”

Kassidy sighs.

“I didn’t want any goodbyes, Soph.”

“Then don’t go, Kassidy. Please.” I’ve never had the desire to grovel at a woman’s feet as much as I do right now.

I follow her to the sofa and sit across from her, careful not to invade her space more than I already have.

“Firstly, I didn’t need my sister to show up today to inform me of what a massive jerk I was last night. When I said, I can’t, I didn’t mean I can’t do us, I was referring to the words I needed to say but couldn’t.”

“Jarett, despite what you couldn’t say last night, my life changed the day I met you. For the better. Days later, I’m no longer a visitor but a permanent resident for twelve months, both an exciting and daunting prospect.” She stands and paces around the room.

Sitting, watching her in a state of confusion kills me.

“When I thought I’d been contracted for this project based on my professional merits, it was a dream come true. Now, I feel like a fraud—”

“It’s not—” My words halt as she casts an evil stare my way.

“Please, Jarett, you came to me. Let me say what I need to.”

I nod, urging her to continue.

“I feel less than deserving because a guy I was seeing for five fucking days had a hand in it and more than that, I feel betrayed. I’m hurt that you went about this without even discussing it with me.”

“I get that now. I do. It never crossed my mind when I spoke with Gabe that it could be construed this way. Please, Kassidy, forgive me for being so short-sighted.”

“I’m not one to hold grudges, Jarett. I think I need some time away from here to understand where I fit in based on my own merits and choices.”

I nod solemnly.

Her words cut me deep. I’ve made her feel as if she doesn’t deserve this, and it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Sophia stands off to the side, near the kitchen, giving us room to speak but listening to every word. When I glance up at her, she prompts me to keep talking.

“Look, Kass, for the most part, you’re a perfect fit for the job. It’s why the idea came to me in the first place. The opportunity, being contracted by the likes of the Lugrenos is a secure fast-track to career success, and I know that’s important to you. But that was the second reason I went to Gabe.”

I take a deep breath and focus my attention on the beautiful woman in front of me.

She rolls her hand at me, much like Sophia had, urging me to continue.

“You’re important to me, Kassidy. In such a short time, you’ve become such a large part of my life. The most enjoyable part.” I sigh in frustration. Why can’t I tap into my feminine side when I need to air my feelings. “A part I never want to live without.”

A tear runs down her cheek.

I want to move closer to her and wipe away her tears.

Kiss her lips.

Assure her I never meant to hurt her.

Never would I dream of taking away her ability to decide for herself. She’s too strong a woman for that. And I love that about her.

Yet, without realizing it, that’s exactly what I did.

“I might have been your five-night holiday fling, Kassidy, but during that time, you became my forever fling.”

A small smile creeps across her face, and it encourages me to keep going. This may be my last chance to see her face to face. “Sophia was right when she said I didn’t want to say goodbye to you.” I shake my head, disgusted at myself. “Maybe I did use your career focus to engage you to stay, but I don’t believe I did it maliciously. Consciously, I wasn’t aware that’s what I was doing.”

Kassidy moves from the sofa to perch herself across my lap. She wraps her arms around my neck. Her head burrows into my chest, and slowly, my heart rate begins to even out.

“I believe you, Jarett.”

She pulls away, smiles at Sophia, and kisses me softly.

“But I still have a plane to catch.”

The actual fuck?

I want to scream at her, you’re still leaving. But the words die in my throat.

My heart hangs heavy in my chest. This feeling, it’s the reason I never pined for human connection. The reason I avoid any form of meaningful relationships with women.

Sophia marches into the living room. “You’re still leaving? As stupid as he was, Jarett declares his love for you, and you’re going home to Australia without giving him a second chance?”

Whoa.

“Sophia,” I warn.

I’m impressed Sophia is quick to jump to my defense, but seriously, I’m a grown-fucking-man.

Kassidy bursts out laughing. She scrambles from my lap, tears of laughter streaming down her face.

Did I miss something?

Sophia joins her in a fit of laughter, and I soon follow. These bitches are fucking crazy.

The moment passes, and Kassidy wipes the tears from her face. “I love you, Sophia,” she cries, standing to hug my sister, who squeezes her back.

“Does that mean you’ll stay?” she asks, full of hope.

Kassidy shakes her head, smiling. “I’m going home for a week to tie up a few loose ends and get grounded again.”

Thank fuck. She’s coming back to me.

Best. News. Ever.

“You’re coming back.” Sophia cries happily.

“I always was. I have a contract for the next twelve months, remember?”

Kassidy eyes me seriously. “I may have landed this job because of you, but I’m going to kick ass all over London and earn this position for myself.”

This woman has lady balls, and I fall more in love with her every minute I’m in her presence.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Kass,” I tell her honestly. “Lugreno offered you the job based solely on your portfolio. The success is all yours. He had no idea about our relationship.”

Another smile spreads across her face and lights up her tear-filled eyes. “Thank you, Jarett. It means a lot.”

“Come here.” I stand for an embrace. My grip tightens around her body, not wanting to let her go. But one week without Kassidy won’t kill me.

I hope.

What I’d never be able to deal with is a lifetime without her.

“What about us, Kassidy? When you return, where does this leave us?” I have to know before she leaves what’s in store when she returns.

“Yes, Jarett. We’re good.”

Kassidy takes my face in her hands and kisses me.

Hard.

Until all my fears drain away, and all I’m left with is a promise of more.

And hopefully, one day, her love in return.