52

ALAYNA

I’m not used to seeing Ms. Lennie without the maids around her, but Oliver helped her set the table with the food we prepared. It’s not often we eat together, but Casey already notified me that Brandon eats with everyone now. From the moment I heard it, my heart just couldn’t stop pounding.

I knew it was time to face my fear, otherwise I wouldn’t get any better. At least that’s what Cassius told me.

Cassius first comes into the dining room, obviously fresh from the bath. He greets me with a sweet smile and fondly sniffs my hair. “Laynie.”

Ms. Lennie notices, but she doesn’t react. Oliver grimaces a little.

“Cass...” I fidget away. I got used to gestures like this from Cassius in the past three weeks; his flirting is like a habit now. I’m still uncomfortable with the display of affection in front of his siblings. He might be forgetting where we are now, but I definitely am not.

“I’m sorry,” he apologizes, chuckling. “Can’t help myself, but I should probably keep that in mind.”

“