11. Eleven

Eleven

Kendrick

A short while later, we’re at the spa, and it’s nothing short of opulent. The understated elegance draws Emily and me into a tranquil world far removed from the city’s relentless noise. We step through frosted glass doors into a marble-floored foyer, where soft ambient lighting illuminates the space with a warm glow. Gentle instrumental music fills the air, blending with the calming scents of eucalyptus and lavender.

A sleek receptionist greets us, her voice a soft murmur as she asks courteously if we have an appointment.

Emily answers with a confidence I envy. “No, it’s a last-minute decision, but you’re always very accommodating.”

The receptionist gives us a small smile. “Name, please?”

“Emily Wild.” Cass’s sister stands patiently while the receptionist types it into the computer.

Her smile widens as she politely nods. “Of course, Miss Wild. We do have an opening,” she says smoothly. “Let me check you both in.”

Soon, we’re ushered down a quiet hallway to a private lounge area. The decor is refined and minimalistic yet lavish, with oversized lounge chairs. I look around in wonder, taking it all in. It’s like a foreign world–one that only the rich and privileged ever get to see. It’s far from anything I’m used to.

The space itself feels like it was designed to help us leave everything behind. As we settle in, an attendant brings over two crystal goblets of infused water, complete with slices of cucumber, mint, and a hint of lemon.

Emily raises her glass to me with a grin. “Here’s to a day of pure indulgence,” she whispers conspiratorially, clinking her glass against mine. I can’t help but smile as I lean back, wrapped in a fluffy robe, letting the serene, almost reverent atmosphere sink into my bones.

The quiet of the spa feels more like a sanctuary, a hidden retreat where time seems to pause and every worry melts away, leaving behind only a quiet, luxurious calm.

The calm doesn’t last long as Emily leans confidentially toward me. “So, Kendrick,” she begins, her voice soft but inquisitive, “I know it’s probably not my place, but… I can’t help wondering about you and my brother.”

I glance over at her, seeing curiosity but mostly kindness in her gaze. I consider brushing her off but decide against it. Something about Emily makes me feel comfortable as if she genuinely wants to understand, not judge.

“It’s… complicated,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “I discovered I was pregnant the same day Cass was offered a recording deal. I thought I was doing the best thing for—well, for all of us.” I glance over Emily, and her eyes hold only understanding, so I continue. “I’ve spent a long time just trying to forget about Cass and instead focus on raising our daughter and giving her a normal life.”

She nods, thoughtful. “I get that. Cass never opened up to us about what happened back then. We knew he had a thing for you because he always mentioned you when he called home. When the record label signed him, he was all excited—felt he was finally on his way.”

Emily gives me a sad smile. “A few days later, he phoned, and he couldn’t hide his heartbreak… we always wondered what happened, but he refused to talk about it.”

Nodding, because my throat feels thick. Her words cause a sharp pang in my chest.

She glances over at me, her eyes probing but kind. “What about now?”

Acting confused, I state, “What do you mean?”

“Do you still have feelings for my brother?” Emily asks bluntly.

Hesitantly, I answer, “I didn’t leave because I didn’t love Cass. I left because I did.”

Nodding, she states. “Then who knows? Maybe things can still work out. Cass is not one to love lightly or to forget people he cares about.” She glances at me, her eyes gentle. “He’s never forgotten you, Kendrick. I know that much.”

Her words sink in, bringing a strange sense of comfort. It’s a relief to hear that I wasn’t forgotten and that perhaps I still matter in some small way.

After a massage and a facial, we’re in the salon area, getting our hair styled. But as I stare at my reflection, I wonder if it’s time to let go of the dull brown camouflage.

“Have you ever thought about going back to blonde?” Emily asks as if reading my mind.

I meet her gaze in the mirror, hesitating. “I’m not sure… It feels like that was a different life. I was a different person back then. A girl, really.”

She gives me an encouraging smile. “That girl’s still in there somewhere, isn’t she?” Her eyes see more than most. She shrugs. “Why not try it? It’s just hair. Besides, I think Cass would lose his mind if he saw you back to your natural color.”

Her words make me smile, and before I can second-guess it, I nod to the stylist. “Okay, let’s do it.”

As the stylist works her magic, and after deep conditioning, the dark color is finally gone for good, revealing a shade of blonde that feels both familiar and new. When she’s finished, I can barely recognize myself. The woman staring back is someone I haven’t seen in years, yet I feel a renewed sense of self.

“You look amazing,” Emily says, her grin wide. “Cass is going to be speechless.”

Her words give me an unexpected thrill, and as we head back to the penthouse, there’s a lightness to my steps. Yet, I can’t help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement. When we walk inside, I hear laughter from the living room, and Cassidy’s voice carries through the suite, full of joy and excitement as she excitedly chats about her experience at the sound studio.

Cass looks up as we walk in, and the instant his eyes land on me, he freezes. His gaze locks onto mine, a mixture of surprise and something warmer, something more intense, filling his expression. His mouth parts slightly, and for a moment, he seems to forget how to speak.

“Kendrick…” he finally breathes, his voice husky.

Cassidy’s eyes widen as she takes in my new look. “Mom, you look… fantastic!” she exclaims, her face lighting up with awe as she practically launches herself into a hug. “You look so pretty!”

I laugh, hugging her back. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

But when I look up, I find Cass still staring, his gaze fixed on me as if he’s seeing me for the first time all over again. There’s a heated intensity there that makes my pulse race, and for a second, it feels like the years have melted away, leaving just the two of us standing on the edge of something fragile yet real.

Emily, ever the observant sister, clears her throat, breaking the moment. “Well, I’d say that was a successful makeover,” she teases, winking at me. “Cass, you okay there, big brother?”

Cass blinks, a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, just… um...” Searching for words, he takes a step closer, his eyes dark with emotion. “You look incredible, Kendrick. Like the girl I first met. The girl I remember.”

I feel my cheeks warm under his gaze, and I’m suddenly aware of the air between us, thick with a sexual tension, a magnetic pull. We both feel the longing; it’s a yearning we can’t ignore, and as we stand there, it’s as if the years of separation never happened.

Cassidy’s voice breaks the silence, her tone bright and full of innocence. “Dad, you’re staring,” she says, an impish grin spreading across her face.

Cass chuckles, breaking the tension but not the heat of his gaze. “Can you blame me?” he murmurs, his eyes still gazing into mine.

Emily slips her arm through Cassidy’s. “Come on, Cassidy. Let’s go find a snack downstairs and give your mom and dad a few moments alone.”

Cassidy glances between us with a sweet smile before allowing herself to be whisked away by her wiser aunt. Cass and I are left alone, the silence stretching between us, filled with all the things we’re too afraid to say.

After a moment, Cass steps forward, reaching out to brush a strand of my newly blonde hair behind my ear. “You have no idea how beautiful you look,” he whispers, his gaze intense, unguarded.

For a moment, I’m completely lost—in the warmth of his touch, in the closeness that feels both familiar and electric. He looks at me like I’m the only person who’s ever mattered.

Cass’s heated gaze sends a shiver coursing down my spine. “I’m glad you like it,” my voice sounds breathy, and I suddenly feel like my younger self. The girl who practically swooned whenever Cass got that certain look in his eye.

He has that same look now, and I feel all of my girly parts start to tingle, and I feel breathless as he leans in. My eyes flutter closed as I wait for his lips to brush mine. When they don’t, I slowly open my eyes to find his gaze locked on mine.

As if that’s what he was waiting for, he slowly cups my face with his hands and covers my lips with his. He doesn’t hurry, acting as if we have all the time in the world.

It’s like he’s savoring my taste as he gently explores my mouth. Lifting his head, he softly nibbles on my lips before he dives in again. My arms go around his neck as I pull him closer, so close that I can smell his spicy cologne and that masculine scent that is his alone.

The years seem to disappear, and I’m that young girl who was head over heels in love with him. I feel his strong arms tighten around me. Then his hands slip down and cup my ass, pulling me against him so that I can feel his body’s response. I give a soft whimper as I helplessly rub against his growing arousal—lost in a cloud of sexual sensations. As I feel him harden even further, I forget where we are. I’m only aware of him and how he makes me feel.

As if through a fog, I’m dimly aware of the distant ding of the elevator, but it’s Cass who hears it clearly and reacts. He quickly steps away from me, abruptly turns, and walks to his bedroom just as the elevator doors slide open.

I blink in confusion, feeling bereft without his strong arms around me. I look up as Emily and Cassidy step into the room. Taking a deep breath, I work to steady the emotions threatening to spill over.

Cassidy is oblivious, not sensing anything amiss, but Emily’s eyes hold a knowing look as she takes in the look on my face, my erratic breathing, and swollen lips. She gives me a wide smile.

Emily glances down at Cassidy. “Hey, I have an idea. I think we should go shopping for some new clothes. So we can dress up and go out on the town. It’s our last night in New York, and we ought to celebrate. Don’t you think so, Cassidy?”

“Yes!” Cassidy says as an excited expression lights up her face. She turns to me. “Can we, Mom? Please? It would be fun to dress up.”

Giving her a slight smile as I try to gain my equilibrium, I say faintly, “I’m sure your father would agree. But we’ll have to ask him.”

“Where is he?” Cassidy asks, her eyes darting around the empty rooms.

Emily grins down at Cassidy. “He probably high-tailed it out of here when he saw us coming,” she says jokingly. “Why don’t you put those extra snacks in the kitchen area.”

As Cassidy walks away, Emily looks over at me, not even trying to hide her delighted amusement. “Should we have stayed away longer?” she says with a twinkle in her eye.

I can feel the hot color as it creeps into my cheeks, but suddenly, a huge smile spreads across my face. “No, but I think you were right about changing my hair color,” I say with a toss of my head.

As I walk toward the kitchen area to find my daughter, Emily’s delighted laughter follows me.