Kassie wore a Lavander v-neck dress with a pretty crossover bodice. The dress had a banded waist with a slight twist on the left side. The sleeves were small-cap and it landed right before the knee. She wore black wedge sandals that made the dress look even better. Her hair was pulled back into a cinnamon bun with a few bits of hair hanging out. Mark stared at her as the meeting continued. She looked up and noticed that she got Mark's eyes. She smiled and blushed as she looked back at Glen who was speaking about the new project.
"Mark and Kassie, I want you two to put together a draft and get it on my desk by the end of next week. We need to move on this fast and be the first one to jump." Glen said and Kassie shook her head while Mark looked at Glen his eyes almost bugging out of his head.
'play it cool she has no idea' he paused a few moments and then tried to take stead breath as everyone began to leave the room. He sat back as he watched Kassie leave the room and he tried to regain the upper hand to not jump out of his skin.
Jessica leaned up against the wall next to the door in her black slacks and button-down top her arms crossed in front of her as she gave Mark a hard stare "I am watching you, Mark."
"Yeah, I can tell," He said and just rolled his eyes as he passed her to leave the room. He sighed as he passed her. He walked over to Kassie's desk seeing that all the girls were around her and chatting he turned down the one aisle and just headed back to this office. The day continued on its way. Mark's phone vibrated against the desk as it took his attention away from the project.
Mark picked up his cellphone and seen that Caleb got a message from Kassie 'Hey, how about we meet up for some dinner?'
'Sounds great, tonight?'
'It would have to be late. I have a project at work. How does tomorrow sound?'
Mark sat back and looked at his phone. Glen was right he needed to stop playing games and be honest, but right now if he got to spend time with Kassie and learn about her he was taking 'Sure, how about Mom's Cellarette on 6th Street at 8 pm?'
'Sounds like a plan. I can not wait' She sent back with a little kiss emoji.
Mark sighed and put his phone face down. He was proud of himself even tho he was now going to have to think of a plan to get Caleb out of the way. He looked back at his computer screen and then at Kassie's desk. She was alone. Here was the perfect time to make a move. He got up put his phone in his pocket and walked over to her.
"Hey," He said catching her off guard and she jumped a bit and quickly put her phone down.
"Hey, Sorry about that had to check on my dad," Kassie said with a smile as brushed her hair behind her ear and her bright green eyes meet up with Mark's hazel eyes.
"Do you want to get dinner tonight? We can have something delivered." Mark asked and watched Kassie search a bit.
"Um, yeah that sounds good nothing to heavy tho I have to get out of here at 8."
"Sounds like a plan." He paused and Jessica walked up to the two of them "I will be back with a few good choices"
"Thanks" Kassie smiled at him as she could feel her heartbeat just a bit faster
"What was that all about?" Jessica asked once Mark was out of earshot.
"We are going to work late and he asked about grabbing dinner."
"Okay, and the star stuck smile?" Jessica sighed "I know you better than anyone else and you are falling for him."
"I don't know about that, but he is my type."
"Yes, the type that in a few months leaves you because you're the flavor of the month."
"Thanks for the reminder." Kassie took a deep breath and moved a few papers on her desk "I got a date tomorrow with Caleb."
"The guy you were dancing with at the bar?" She paused "He looks like an average Joe."
"So far from it" Kassie pulled out her phone and showed her the brown hair with a mysterious look in his eyes topless photo from the dating site.
"Kass, If you found his on the dating site how did he meet you at the bar?"
"I have no idea... its the universe pulling us together."
Jessica gave her a look of disbelief "Be careful... something is not right"
"Let's do Salad-Works," Mark said coming back to Kassie with a menu "Hi Jessica. You want to order in too?"
"No thank you. I am about to leave. Kass, text me when you get home." She turned to Kassie and then walked away.
"Salad-Works it is," Kassie said with a smile and took the menu from Mark's hand. She wrote down on a sticky note what she would like and handed it to Mark along with some money "I am sorry. I don't believe that I am a picky eater. I just don't eat onion or peppers." She laughed at her self
"Not a problem," He said with a smile
"Do you mind if we work in the conference room together then at least we won't be alone?"
"Not a problem you just read my mind," Mark said and Kassie smiled her bright smile and Mark turned around and seen Glen at his desk.
"Don't forget to set the code before you leave" Glen said and looked at Mark. "What is that look for?"
"Caleb has a date on Friday and I am having dinner with her tonight." Mark beamed from ear to ear
"Stop shape-shifting... Your asking for trouble and with 4 girls around her. Someone will pick up on what is going on."
"I know. I have to give it up." He paused "That is why tomorrow night has to happen." He looked at Glen who gave him that look as if he had to do this.
"Mark, you are a hall-a-fame world wrestler. I am surprised you are so stuck on her."
"Oh yeah, talking about that. I will put in the dates that I will need for autograph sessions."
"If that is the case maybe you need to start hitting the gym and bulk a bit." Glen teased at him and punched him in the arm as Kassie passed. Kassie looked at the two guys goofing off a bit and smiled at herself. She needed to keep her self in check. This was a workplace, not the bar.
"Maybe your right, but I am sure I am still get noticed by fans almost 5 years later."
"Yeah, I hear you. Well, lock up when you two leave."
"Yes, Sir," Mark said and grabbed the menu and picked out what he was going to eat before calling it in.
Mark walked into the conference room and Kassie was already deep into her reading. She looked up at him and smiled. Mark smiled and put down his laptop "Food should be here in 30 minutes."
"Sounds great" She paused "Did you get through some of the reports that were suggested?"
"Yeah, I got through a few of them," He said and sat down getting his self situated. Kassie began to talk about the project and what she noticing as similarities in what she was reading. The two chatted about the program back and forth until Mark's phone vibration caught both of their attention.
"Hello...yes... I will be right there" Mark said and looked at Kassie. "Dinner is here"
"Wonderful" Kassie said with a smile and she leaned back in her chair.
Mark left the room and got dinner and then brought it back to the conference room. He sat down on the other side of Kassie. "Let's refuel" Mark put the bags down and Kassie stood up and help pull out the food. They both sat down and Kassie looked over at Mark and watched him digging right into his food.
"You must be starving," Kassie said as she laughed a bit
"Yeah, who wouldn't be at this time?" Mark responded, "So, tell me about you?"
"What do you want to know?"
"Any brothers and sisters?"
"Nope, You?"
"Yeah, I have a brother" He paused and took another bite of food.
"Were you always into statistics?"
"No," Mark said and paused a bit as he continued to chew his food. He looked at Kassie and began to wonder if she knew who he was or just asking. He began to think about the question himself a bit. Could there really be someone who doesn't know who he was in his past life? "What are you doing after this?"
"I am going to go work out." She giggled at herself self "I am not a big diet fan so because of that I make sure I work out."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I am a really big foodie."
"I did not take you for that type of person."
"Really? What type of person do you think I am."
"Oh, now that is a loaded question," Mark said and chuckled as he looked over at Kassie and she smiled. Mark felt warm all over her smile just light the room to the bright noon sun.
The two got back to work for a few hours and then started to wrap up the night. Kassie put her laptop on the charger at her desk as she. Mark stood in his office for a while and watched her continued to get her self together as he walked over to her desk. "Are you all ready to go?"
"Yeah, I believe I have everything I need" She smiled at him as she grabbed her small jacket and purse.
"Sound good follow me. I have to set the alarm on the back of the building. I will walk you to your car."
"Sounds good," She said and followed Mark "What are your plans for the night"
"I am just going to go home and just relax," Mark said as he kept turning around to make sure that Kassie was following him. He got to the alarm system "Can you stand there and keep the door open as I set the alarm."
"Sure," She said as she stood in the door and the light breeze came rushing in. Kassie put her hand down by her side to make sure her dress did not go up. Mark looked over at Kassie and then put the alarm on and headed to the door.
"Thank you," he said to her as he walked over and held the door. He took in a deep scent of Kassie's perfume and tried hard not to react to it as she walked away. The two of them walked to Kassie's car as they had little chit chat with one another.
"Well here is my car"
"Okay, we'll have a good night," Mark said with a smile and raised his hand a bit to wave. He watched her get into her car and then he got into his. Kassie started her car and texted Jessica that she was heading home. She placed her phone on the charger and pulled out of the parking lot.
Kassie walked into the house after her workout. She locked the door behind her and opened the sliding
doors allowing the night sound of the ocean to come into her house. She looked down at her cell phone and seen it flashing. She reached for it to see a text message from Jessica 'You know I will always look after you like a sister xoxo.' Kassie smiles and puts her phone back down. She jumped into the shower and then got into shorts and t-shirts. She grabbed her self a nightcap and her phone then headed out to the balcony.
Mark scrolled through Caleb feed of the dating website as he enjoyed his morning coffee before leaving for work. He stopped at several new photos that Kassie has put up of her self. He smiled at them as he saved them on his phone. He took down each detail. Her hair was wet leaving little strains on her shirt. She is sitting outside in the dark the flash showing her natural beauty as she made a face into the camera. He could see a small drink on the side table next to her. He smiled once more and said to himself "Kassie, you are one of a kind woman."
Glen stood in the kitchen waiting on the machine to heat the water. Jessica took this opportunity to make her point. "Hi Glen, How are you?"
"Hi, Jess. I am okay and you?"
"I am well. So, you and Mark are close right" She said as she crossed her arm leaning against the refrigerator so she could see who was coming towards them.
"Yeah, I know him for about 20 years now if not more."
"So, what is his deal?' Single? Married? Hunting?"
Glen started to laugh "He is single right now."
"He has a thing for Kassie." Glen looked up at her and she did not flinch at all "Yeah, I am not going to beat around the bush."
"Mark is really a good guy if you got to knew him" Glen paused and looked at Jess "I would think you should set him up with Kassie."
"Yeah, that is the thing. Mark is totally Kassie's type and she has been burned enough and I don't want that" She paused as another coworker walked near them and used the refrigerator behind her. Glen watched the coworker leave out of earshot.
"He wouldn't do that."
"How do you know?"
Glen looked at Jessica and rolled his eyes as he stirred his coffee "Look, I know the man for most of my life. I know you are being protective, but do me a favor and before you judge Mark... look up Undertaker WWE and read about him first. He is the most loyal person I know."
Kassie was busy all day writing up the first draft of the report to give to Mark to check if he agreed to it. Kassie took a look at the time and knew she had to get out of here on time so that she could get ready for her date with Caleb. She was satisfied with what she wrote. She hit print and stood at the printer waiting for it to come out.
Glen knocked on Mark's door "Hey can we talk quickly?"
"Sure," Mark said as he pushed away from his computer to give Glen his attention.
"Look this morning I had a conversation with Jessica about you" He paused and took a breath "She knows that you are into Kassie. I gave away your secret to prove that you are a loyal and honest man. That she is judging you by your looks and because of that the girls are being very protective of Kassie."
"Um, I am not sure I understand."
Kassie walked over with the paper in her hand. She knocked on the door "Excuse me?"
"Sorry Kassie comes on in," Glenn said and his eyes went back and forth between Mark and her.
"Sorry, I just want to give you the first draft, Mark," She said with a smile and tried to hold down her giddiness.
"Thanks, can I get it back to you tomorrow?"
"Oh yeah, that is fine. You can write all over it" She said as she turned around and then turned back around "But don't write in red since there are studies that says it is screaming on the paper."
"Okay, I have not read that study. I will pick a different color"
"Okay, thanks..." She smiled and walked out of the room. Mark watched her every movement out of his office and around the corner.
"Mark, that is what I am telling you. Kassie is into you too but is afraid that you are going to be like her past and she is going to get burnt. So, I had to tell Jessica about Undertaker."
"Oh no," Mark said softly as he rubbed his face. "Well, it could be worst. We will just see how quick Kassie finds out."
"Look I suggest you stop the shape shifting. Cut it off tonight and be yourself. Jessica is all up in this."
"Yeah, I will deal with it." He paused and looked at the time "I have to get going."
Kassie stood in front of the mirror as she played with her loose curls. She wore a royal blue short spaghetti strap wrap dress that hugged at all the right places. She wore open-toed black heels and carried a small black clutch. Her makeup was very natural sticking with a brown outer corner and champagne in the inner corner. Her eyes popped with the black cat eyeliner. She checked her clutch to make sure she had everything she would need. She looked at her phone and texted the girls that she was leaving for her date and was taking a Uber. She placed her phone into her clutch and headed out the door.
Kassie paid for her Uber and got out of the car. She stood outside of Mom's Cellarette and took a deep breath. "Kassie!" Caleb called to her from down the street. She smiled and waved as he did a little jog to her. She smiled at him as he wore a nice shirt and jeans. He reached out toward her and went right in for a kiss and she turned and gave him her cheek. "Woah, look how beautiful you are?"
"Thank you" She smiles and Caleb reached down the back and slide his hand right to her butt. She giggled and moved his hand up a bit.
"Is there a problem?"
"Um, what are you thinking?" Kassie asked pretty blunt of Caleb
Caleb started to laugh and then pulled Kassie close to him his leg trying to squeeze between hers "Well, I am thinking we get out of here and ya know"
"I had different plans," She said and pushed away. Caleb pulled her closer to him once again and Kassie had enough. She pushed away once again "Look, Caleb, maybe you should just go. I am not the type of girl you're looking for."
"Shoo, I get the idea. Your nothing but a tease." Caleb said very loudly and making a bit of a scene. Kassie stood in front of the restaurant and held her clutch as she watched Caleb continued to walk down the block until she could not see him anymore. Kassie took a big sigh of relief as she went into her clutch and texted the group.
"Caleb is no more" Kassie texted the group
"Good ridden" Jennifer said with a laughing face.
"Go enjoy a good meal on your own. I am sure you look killer and will get someone to talk to you" Amanda said with good encouragement. Kassie agreed she was here and the food is good. She put her phone away and headed into the restaurant.
Kassie sat at the table with another plate sitting in front of her. She looked at the menu as her jack and coke were placed down on the table. "Can I get a few more minutes?" She asked and the waitress left. Kassie took a few deep breaths she could feel like she was being watched, but needed to shake that feeling and the Caleb juju.
"Kassie?" a familiar male voice called her name and she looked up
"Hey Mark," She said with a bright smile.
"I was not planning on seeing you here," He said with a smile
"Yeah I was supposed to be meeting my date, but... long story," She said closed her eyes, shook her head, and waved her hand.
"Well, whoever that guy was is a fool to be standing you up," he said and Kassie just laughed.
"What brings you here?"
"I was just sitting at the bar getting a drink and some food."
"Well, why not just come join me?" Kassie said with a shy smile.
"Sure, why not!" Mark said with a smile. He sat down and the two started to chat about the menu and what food to eat. The waitress came back and took the two orders. Mark and Kassie started to have their drinks and beginning to chat. "So, what happened?"
Kassie swallowed her drink and giggled "About the date? Oh well, the short story is that the dinner date was not the dinner in a restaurant." She laughed even harder as she could feel the Jack was going to help her out a bit here. "So, I was in a really long relationship 2 years ago and it did not end well. The girls got me through it." She looked down at her Jack and Coke and took another deep drink. She pushed her lips together "After a year of working on me. I decided I was not going to date my normal type, and now I get to be on these random dates that mostly disasters." The two started to laugh at the story. The waitress came back with their food and placed it down. "How about you?"
"I am on my second divorce and just enjoying the single life," Mark said as he cut a part of his meal.
"Wow, so you have a lot of experience," Kassie said chuckled a bit.
"I learned a lot about myself and about what I want and don't want in the next one."
"That is great you need to learn that," Kassie said as she started to eat her dinner. "Oh, my this is so good. You need to try this" Kassie said and without a second thought, she grabbed a fork full and went to feed Mark. Mark took it off her fork.
"You are not kidding. I am surprised because that is a new item on the menu." His eyes widen as he swallowed the food in his mouth.
"I am sorry. I should have used your fork."
"Ew, Cuties" Mark said and made a funny face. Kassie laughed at him and the two continued to talk and enjoy each other company. Mark enjoyed hearing her laugh and she smile that just warmed him all over. She looked beautiful and he could not take his eyes off of her.
The waitress put the bill down in the middle of them and Mark grabbed it quickly. "Dutch?" Kassie asked trying not to impose on him.
"Sure, I am man enough for that." He laughed and figured out the math. Kassie pulled the cash out of her clutch and handed it to Mark. He smiled and put the money together making sure that there is enough and placed it down.
Kassie grabbed her phone out and could see there were a lot of texts from the girls. She smiled a wiped them away. "So, I don't mean to be rude. I just want to get my Uber back so I can go home."
"Don't do that. I drove here. I can take you home." Mark said and Kassie looked up from her phone as she pushed her hair aside.
"You sure that it is not out of your way?"
"Yeah, the night is still early." He chuckled "You're not going to turn into a pumpkin in a truck are you?"
"A pumpkin?" She questioned and laughed a she looked at the time "No, not that I am aware of"
The two of them got up from the table once the waitress took the bill. Mark stood and allowed Kassie to walk in front of him as he placed his hand in the middle of her back being as polite as possible to guide her. Kassie smiled and blushed a bit as she pushed her lips together walked out of the restaurant. Mark pointed down the street at his truck and the two chatted as the walked towards it. Mark loved looking at Kassie she was so put together really had a hold of herself. He took a few quick steps to get to the passenger side of the truck and open the door for her. "Here," He said offering his hand even tho there was a nerf bar for her to use to get into the truck.
"Oh thank you "She smiled and was grateful that he offered sometimes it was an event to look good. She took his hand and got up into the truck being very mindful that her dress was short and she would need to place her hands in spots to hold it down. Mark closed the door and walked around the front of the truck and got in. The two continued to chat and laugh all the way back to Kassie's place.
"Here is my place. I am on the 6th floor." She paused and looked over at Mark.
"Well, let me at least make sure that you make it to your condo safety," Mark said and a smile formed on her lips.
"Sure," She said and Mark got out of the truck to help her down and the two-headed in. Mark looked around it was a very nice and clean place. He could hear the ocean in the background.
"Does your balcony face the ocean?" Mark asked as he looked around the building.
"Yes, It is really nice at night you can hear the ocean, but not see it. It is eerie but yet not scary."
"That is really awesome. I live out in the country away from all the crowds." He said as he places his hand to hold the elevator door open and she walked in.
"Aw, now that would be something nice. Country life with a fire-pit and a drink in hand." She laughed
"Yeah and some music." Mark laughed as the door opened up and the two stepped out. Kassie walked over to her door her head down a little bit as she was pondering if she should invite him in.
"Well, here I am" She paused and looked up at Mark "Thank you for making a horrible night better."
"Not a problem. I would have just been alone anyway. So, you made my night better" He said and Kassie giggled a bit.
"Do you want to come in?" Kassie just went for it and looked at his eyes.
"Um, I would love to, but I have to read the paper yet and get my thoughts on it for you tomorrow," He said with a smile and Kassie blushed a bit.
"Oh yeah, I totally forgot" She just blew off the question like it did not mean much.
"It is not that I don't want to," He said over talking her a bit
"Oh yeah. I didn't..." She paused and bit her lower lip. Mark watched as the disappointment was starting to set it. The neighbor door opens up. "Hi Mrs. Jones," She said to the older lady as she waved at the two of them. Mark waved politely.
"Well, I better let you go before you get too cold out here," He said as he rubbed her arms the cool night breeze kissing her arm and Mark enjoyed the softness of her skin under his fingertips. "So, I will see you tomorrow."
"Yeah" She looked up at him and smile her eyes brightly as his whole world it up again. "see you tomorrow," She said and she turned around and put her key in the door. She opened the door and slowly walked in. "Goodnight" she smiled and closed the door.