Larger Scheme

Later that night, Nicholas drove her to a hidden rooftop restaurant in the city. There were no signs, no crowd, just a steel elevator that opened into candlelight and skyline.

A breeze carried soft jazz as they sat in a secluded booth, wine glasses clinking, plates of grilled lamb and herbed risotto spread between them.

"This place is unreal," Cassie said, sipping her wine.

Nicholas smiled. "I figured after the week you had, you deserved something… quieter."

"And here I thought you were taking me up here to bribe me for something."

"Only your Netflix password. The one you won’t give up."

She laughed, the tension leaving her shoulders for the first time in days.

"I told Mia and Chloe," she said softly, picking at a piece of bread.

He looked up, curious. "Yeah? How’d that go?"

"They screamed. Mia said she’s saving it for her wedding speech opener. Chloe just kept asking if you have a brother she can latch on to."

Nicholas chuckled. "I don’t but I’m flattered."

"I told them maybe, just m