CASS

The next day I went to pick up my best friend's dogs. I would be pet-sitting the two dogs for him while he was on holiday.

The dogs, a golden retriever and a poodle, were full of energy and excitement as they sniffed around the house.

Immediately from the start the two dogs couldn't get enough of Jeffrey. He seemed to have a knack with animals.

I was hesitant at first to have them around him out of fear that he would hurt them (I mean he did try to kidnap animals), but to my surprise he was so gentle with them.

They licked his face and jumped up against him and he bent down to the ground and rubbed them and talked to them as if they were his children.

I had to admit it warmed my heart seeing this.

But I pushed it away again not wanting to let my guard down around him just yet.

We settled into our pet-sitting duties, but I had to admit I couldn't help but notice how attractive Jeff was.

We worked well together also, taking turns feeding and playing with them in the backyard.

As the day went on, I found myself relaxing around him more.

I felt bad for how I treated him the day before. He wasn't such a bad guy at all.

It still made it even stranger to me that he tried to steal those animals.

Why would a guy like him do something like that?

We found ourself talking more and more. He made me laugh although I tried not to show it much and he was easy to talk to.

We discovered we had a lot in common and enjoyed each other's company. I even found myself sharing personal stories with Jeff that I hadn't told anyone else.

As the sun began to set, we sat on the sofa with the dogs curled up at our feet.

I felt a sense of contentment and happiness that I hadn't felt in a long time.

I glanced over at Jeff and caught his eye, and we both smiled.

"It's been a great day, thanks for helping out with the dogs," I said, breaking the silence.

"No problem, it's been a lot of fun," Jeff replied, his eyes flickering with warmth.

As the night wore on, we continued to talk and enjoy each other's company. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special between us, and I found myself wondering if Jeff felt the same way.

CASS

I was busy sleeping when I heard a voice calling me. I groaned and turned around trying to ignore them.

“Go away, mom,” I said.

But then I suddenly recalled I wasn’t at my parents’ place.

And the voice was a male voice.

Which meant only one thing.

I jerked up and sat up right in bed screaming.

Jeff screamed too startled by my sudden actions.

“What the fuck are you doing in my room!” I yelled at him frowning.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I just thought I’d bring you some breakfast,” he said with wide-eyes.

I looked down at his hands.

He was holding one of my trays and it definitely contained breakfast.

And damn, did it look good.

Who knew this man could cook?

“You can’t just make me breakfast!” I yelled although I was feeling myself cool down more.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I just thought it would be a good gesture for you helping me out with the case.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Is that all?” I asked.

“Yes, I swear!”

“Okay,” I said. “Well... thanks... I guess.”

Jeff placed the tray on my lap and left quickly.

I looked in the direction of the door.

What a strange guy.

Why did he make me breakfast?

Why was he cooking in my kitchen in the first place?

I sighed and picked up the fork and grumbled,

“He better not have poisoned me.”

CASS

I had a horrible day in court today and to make it worse I had an even longer day working on files in front of my computer in my office afterwards.

When I finally arrived at home I was drained and my back hurt from sitting hunched over the whole time.

And then when I got home I was met with a cheerful Jeffrey.

Great, I thought.

But then after dinner where he kept talking and I didn’t say a word, he asked me if I was alright.

“I’m fine,” I huffed.

“Are you sure? It looks like you have a problem with your back.”

“It’s nothing,” I said. “It just hurts a little.”

“Wait, let me have a look,” he said and stood up from the table and moved around the table.

I didn’t know what he was going to do but as soon as he stood behind my chair and started touching my shoulders, I jerked away,

“Hey! What the hell are you doing!”

“Relax,” he said. “I’m just massaging you.”

“Well can you stop!” I said with a scowl on my face.

“Stop being such a baby. I’m touching you not kissing you.”

For some reason that made me blush instantly.

And after that I shut up.

And I couldn’t help but close my eyes.

Damn.

He was really good with his hands.

When he’d finally stopped I didn’t know what to say.

“Thanks,” I said softly.

“You’re welcome,” he said.

After that he helped me clean the dishes.

“Just let me know if you need another massage,” he said with a smile before heading upstairs to his room.

I couldn’t help but almost smile.

Almost.

CASS

I was lounging on the couch one evening after dinner with the two dogs lying in front of the fireplace, when Jeffrey entered the living room.

He sat down on the opposite couch.

I could sense he was staring at me.

“What?”I asked annoyed without looking up from my book.

“Nothing!”he said. “I was just wondering... what book are you reading?”

I looked up from the book.

“Why do you want to know?” I asked.

“I’m just curious,” he said. “I love reading too.”

I sighed and put the book down.

“It’s called The Blood Moon. It’s about a crime case. A young woman is killed and there are no records of her to be found so they can’t trace her identity. The only clue is the blood moon tattoo on her shoulder.”

“Wow,” he said. “That’s so cool! And do they find out who did it?”

“Well, I’m still reading so I’m yet to find out,” I said.

“Sounds like a good book.”

There was silence for a while. I tried to continue reading but I couldn’t help stealing glances at Jeffrey.

Then I sighed again and put the book down.

“Do you... do you want me to read it for you?” I asked.

“Really?” he said. “You’d do that?”

“That’s why I’m asking,” I said annoyed. “Now answer before I change my mind.”

He laughed.

How did he always get me to become flustered just by hearing his laugh?

“I’d love that,” he said. “Thank you.”

And that’s how we ended up spending the whole night in the living room in front of the fireplace with the dogs sleeping as I read the book out loud.

Jeffrey was even more excited and pulled into the book than I was.

But after some time, I guess overcome by tiredness, I realized Jeffrey wasn’t listening anymore.

He was fast asleep.

I rolled my eyes but had a smile on my face.

Dork.

I quietly stood up and covered him with a blanket.

Then I put out the fire and went upstairs to go sleep.

But not before thinking about Jeffrey.

He was such a weird person.

He acted so innocent.

It truly was getting harder every single day to think of him as a bad person.

CASS

I was busy making dinner when Jeffrey suddenly came into the kitchen.

I glanced over at him when I noticed him holding something in his hand.

“Where did you get that?” I snapped rushing over to him.

I grabbed the box from him.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I just found it in your bookcase. I was wondering...”

“Well, don’t snoop around in my things!” I said. “It’s mine.”

“I’m sorry,” he said and when I saw the look in his eyes I instantly felt bad for snapping at him.

“It’s... alright,” I said. “it’s just Jenga. It’s from when I was a kid.”

“I’ve never played it before,” Jeffrey said.

I raised an eyebrow.

“You’ve never played Jenga?” I said. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said and I felt myself melt again at that same innocent look in his eyes. “Is it fun?”

I sighed but I had a smile on my face.

“We can play it if you’d like.”

“Really?” he said with wide-eyes.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Wow, thanks,” he said.

So after dinner Jeffrey and I sat down at the coffee table in the living room and played Jenga.

I thought I would hate it but I was actually having fun.

When Jeffrey pulled one of the blocks and the whole tower came tumbling in I laughed out loud.

He laughed too and our eyes met.

And for a moment it was like time stood still.

We smiled at each other and I said,

“Want to go for another round?”

“I’d love to,” he said.

“Alright,” I said and took a few blocks. “Then let’s rebuild.”

I noticed he was watching me.

I looked up at him.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “I just like it when you smile.”

I was surprised but then I smiled again and kept building,

“Well, if you don’t get me mad I’ll smile more.”

He laughed.

“I’ll try.”

He helped me rebuild and this time I was watching him.

He really was something.

CASS

Jeffrey had been staying with me for a while. He didn’t work on my nerves anymore and I realized I’d judged him too quickly. I was starting to get used to having him around.

One Saturday I was planning on watching the game and I asked Jeffrey if he’d like to join me.

I made some popcorn and Jeffrey grabbed two beers for us from the fridge and we sat down and started watching.

My favourite team was playing and I was a very competitive person, probably another reason I was a lawyer, and really wanted them to win and get to the finals.

So I was concentrating quite a lot.

But one thing about me when I watched sport was I never cheered. I always watched it in silence just concentrating on what was happening.

But Jeffrey wasn’t like me.

Instead he cheered loudly and I couldn’t help it but be amused at his antics. He was like a grown child sometimes.

And to my surprise I found myself cheering too and eventually we were cheering along and discussing the game and the strategy of the players.

And then in the final moments we both sat in silence waiting in anticipation and then my team won and Jeffrey and I cheered.

He hugged me and at first I stiffened in his arms at first then hugged him back.

“That was an awesome game!” he said apparently not realizing the butterflies he’d given me with just one touch.

“Yeah, it was,” I said with a smile.

“When I was younger I always wanted to be a football player.”

“Really?” I asked. “What stopped you?”

“I got an injury and had to stop playing.”

“Wow,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

“Hey, it’s okay,” he said. “It was just a pipe dream anyway.”

“Maybe not,” I said. “You could’ve made it.”

He looked surprise.

“You thinks so?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Why not?”

He smiled.

“Thanks.”

For a moment I got lost in his eyes and I felt my heart beat faster.

Then I looked away and said,

“Want another beer.”

“Yeah,” he said sounding breathless. “I’d love one.”

JEFFREY

Cass’ cozy living room was slightly dark, and a soft glow came from the tv screen as Cass and I settled on the couch with a large bowl of popcorn between us. It had been a long day of going through legal documents and discussing the case, and we both needed a break.

I flipped through the movie options on the streaming platform, finally settling on a classic romance film.

"How about this one? It's supposed to be really good!" I suggested, looking over at Cass with hopeful eyes.

Cass glanced at the movie title, and his expression turned skeptical.

"A romance movie? Seriously?" he replied, trying to hide the amusement in his voice. "Isn't there something more action-packed or thrilling we could watch instead?"

I pouted playfully, giving Cass irresistible puppy dog eyes that he couldn't resist.

"Please? Just this once," I said, a hint of a smile forming on my lips.

Cass pretended to contemplate for a moment, but deep down, I knew, he couldn't say no to my request.

With a sigh, he gave in.

"Alright, fine. But only because you're under house arrest and stuck here. I hope you appreciate this," Cass said, trying to sound serious but failing to hide a small smile of his own.

As the movie began, I scooted closer to Cass, making sure our arms touched. Cass seemed a bit taken aback by the sudden proximity, but he didn't move away. We both settled into the storyline.

Minutes turned into hours, and the movie's emotional moments tugged at my heartstrings. As the two main characters shared a passionate kiss on screen, I couldn't help but glance at Cass to see his reaction. To my surprise, Cass was fully invested in the movie, and I could swear I saw a hint of tears glistening in his eyes.

“Aaw,” I said. “Are you getting sad?”

“What? No!” Cass said and sniffled. “I just... I have allergies. It’s been acting up a little.”

“Oh,” I said with a smile. “Okay.”

I felt a rush of fondness for Cass as I realized that there was more to this seemingly aloof lawyer than met the eye. I had seen glimpses of cass's vulnerability during our time together, but this shared movie experience made me feel even closer to him.

When our eyes met, there was a moment of silence between us. It was as if the room had faded away, leaving only the connection between the two of us. My heart raced, and I leaned in slightly, almost daring to close the distance between our lips.

But before anything more could happen, cass cleared his throat and pulled back, pretending to be nonchalant.

"I...uh, I think I need more popcorn," he stammered, getting up from the couch a little too quickly.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, realizing that I might have misread the situation. I tried to cover up my disappointment with a smile.

"Sure, I'll join you. The movie's not over yet."

In the kitchen, while preparing more popcorn, our eyes met again, and cass finally let a small smile slip.

"You know, I might've been too quick to judge the movie choice. It's not that bad after all," he admitted, trying to hide the warmth in his voice.

I grinned, happy to see a softer side of cass.

"Told you! Romance movies aren't so bad," I teased.

As we returned to the couch, our shoulders touched once again, and this time, neither of us pulled away. The movie continued, but I found myself more captivated by the man sitting next to me than the story on the screen.