The city lights blurred into luminous bubbles outside the window, the darkness of the night blackening the glass and reflecting the image of my own exhausted face back to me. The train, as always at this time, was full to bursting with restless, tired, irritable commuters, and I couldn't wait to step off onto the platform and make a break for home.
A few minutes later, the train pulled in at my stop, and I sighed in relief as the cool evening air rushed over my clammy skin. I was so glad to have a day off the next day; it had felt like a long time coming - I was so excited to have a luxurious, self-indulgent day of doing absolutely nothing.
As I started along the familiar path for home, I felt the soft buzz of my phone in my pocket. Taking it out, I immediately recognised the name on the text. Dana. My best friend and long-time partner in crime.
"Hey Cass, you busy tomorrow?! D xx"
I groaned inwardly. I had a sinking feeling that my non-existent plans were about to be trampled all over.
"Hmm... Depends what for!"
A little back-and-forth ensued, which of course culminated in me agreeing to help Dana. She was an event planner, and was due to be dressing a venue the next day for a fancy soirée, but had to take an unexpected business trip and would be leaving that morning. I, being the dutiful friend that I am, would be stepping in to take over the venue-dressing duties.
My nice leisurely evening now changed to a quick meal, and an early night to get up bright and early for my new 'job'.
•
The next morning, I woke up and took a long hot shower, and slipped on a light summer dress to match the beautiful weather. I was just about to grab my car keys and leave, when a text flashed up on my phone. Surprise surprise, Dana again.
"Cass, thanks so much again for agreeing to help today! I felt bad about you doing all the work yourself, so I've roped Rob into helping you too. He's going to meet you at the venue. I know you 2 don't get along, but please just be nice today, for me! ;) D xx"
My heart did a somersault as the words sank in. Rob was Dana's boyfriend, and as much as she thought we hated each other, the exact opposite was true. Rob and I had enjoyed a drunken, super-hot kiss in a bar roughly a week before Dana had introduced him to me as her boyfriend - neither of us had known about the other, and we didn't dare mention it to fiery Dana. We decided from that point on that we had to stay apart as much as possible, the chemistry between us was so strong that we'd already had a couple of near misses.
How was I going to cope with a whole day with him, completely alone? I bit my lip and checked myself over in the mirror. I instantly cursed my choice of dress. It had a bustier-style bodice which sat pretty low and flaunted the curve of my breasts perfectly, and a tight fitting waist which accentuated my curves. I looked damn sexy, and I knew it. Way too sexy for seeing Rob, but there was no time to change. I just had to hope he didn't think I'd done it for him.
I jumped in the car, driving along with an apprehension about seeing him and spending the day alone together. I'm ashamed to admit though, I did feel a thrill of exhilaration at the prospect too. We'd never spent any real time alone, not since that one sexy-as-hell kiss in the bar.
I pulled up to the venue, a gorgeous period-style mansion house that Dana had rented in its entirety for the party. It was completely deserted, except from one other car. Rob.
He was standing, leaning against his car with his arms folded and sunglasses shielding his eyes. His arms, folded as they were, looked so big and powerful and manly. He'd grown his facial hair a little since I'd seen him last, a shadow of stubble hugging that strong jawline. Oh god. He was so sexy. I could feel my heartbeat quickening, and I tried to steady my breath as I walked towards him.
"Hey. Dana conned you into this too, huh?"
I felt my laugh come out a little higher pitched than I was intending.
"Yep, so much for my day off. Did she send you with all the stuff?"
Rob gestured to a few bulging boxes to indicate that yes, she had. He picked up a couple with ease, nodded his head at the building and simply said "Let's go."
We set to work, filling balloons, hanging banners, setting up tables. Tension hung in the air as we deliberately avoided one another, occasionally brushing arms or hands and sending sparks flying over the room. This was absolute torture. I could tell he felt the same, and I could feel his eyes on me all the time when he thought I wasn't looking. On my face, my legs, my breasts. He wanted me, every bit as much as I wanted him.
Finally, we'd finished with the downstairs, and Rob explained that Dana had left instructions that some of the bedrooms needed prepped for guests that were staying over. I swallowed, hard. Me and Rob, alone in a room with a bed? We needed to get these preparations done and get out of here as quickly as possible.
We had five bedrooms to sort in total, and with each one we became less nervous in each other's company. More eye contact, looks held lingeringly and purposefully, more less-than-necessary skin contact.
God, Cass, keep your nerve!
Finally, we got to the last four-poster bedroom, and as much as we tried to extend it, our work was soon done. Rob picked up the last of the boxes, and made for the door. As much as I'd been praying for this moment to happen, so that we could get out of each other's company, now that it was here my overarching feeling was one of horror that we'd be parted. Against my better judgement and almost against my own will, as he got to the doorway, I called out to him.
"Rob, wait!"