Kassie wore a high necked mini dress her hair left loose in some natural curls. She took a sip of her drink as she smiled at the brown hair brown eye man across from the table. "Kassie, I have to say. I am so glad that I asked you on a second date."
"Aw thank you for asking me, Edi. You know with that app it is such a hit or miss who you find." She smiled and he reached over and ran his hand against her that was touching her glass. Her eyes looked down at her hand and she started to think of Mark. He was the last one to touch her so innocently but eager.
"I better get you back to your car it is getting late. I am sure you have to work tomorrow." Edi said and smiled.
"Oh yes, I do." She sighed and looked up at him.
"How about we get together on Friday night?"
"Um, yeah I think I am open for Friday. If something is already planned I will just send you a message." She laughed a little "So, for the third date you think we could exchange numbers?"
"Sure, Sorry I am just trying to be cautious. Just like you said there are so many different types of people on that site." He said and Kassie nodded and smiled. The two of them walked out to her car and Edi leaned in and gave her a hug "Thank you for an amazing night."
"Thank you. I can't wait till Friday." She smiled and turned around and opened the car door and got in. She got her set in the car and looked over to see Edi still standing there and she waved goodbye and headed home. Kassie was enjoying her conversation with Edi she could see her self going long term with him. Kassie headed into her condo as she walked in she continued to text the girls about her second date. She walked into her condo and put her phone down and took off her shoes. She got her bottle of water and headed into the bedroom to clean up and get ready for the next morning.
Kassie sat at the lunch table with girls and Mark walked into the cafeteria to get himself some coffee.
"Jennifer and I are going out Saturday." Amanda said and looked at Kassie "Kassie you should come with us."
"Ah, I am not sure" She filled her mouth with some salad as she continued to scroll through her phone.
"Are you two busy with all your dates?" Amanda said snarky and Kassie shot her a look.
"No my Saturday is open. I am just not sure if I am want to be drinking. I have been working out a lot and enjoying what my body is doing." Kassie said and Mark grabbed his cup of coffee and took a sip of it as he walked out of the room acting like he did not hear anything the girls were talking about. "Amanda!" Kassie got pissed and the other girls watched "I never throw you under the bus. How about you be my wing women for a bit, damn."
"He isn't making a move and knowing you are dating Edi. Someone needs to make a choice."
"Two dates is not considered dating," Kassie said and took a deep sigh. Amanda rolled her eyes and looked at Jennifer. The girls started to laugh and Kassie was getting tired of this picked up her lunch and threw it away, and left the cafeteria.
Kassie was quiet as Mark and Kassie pulled up to the gym. Tonight was cardio and Mark was not looking forward to this at all. Kassie walked into the gym first and Mark followed her in.
"Hi Roger" She smiled and waved as she signed in and looked back at Mark "I signed you in"
"Thank you" He said with a smile and ran his hand against her back.
"You two ready for punishment." He asked as she smiled and crossed his arms.
"OO, promise to say my name," Kassie said with a laugh and she turned around and looked at Mark who smiles and rolled his eyes. She bounced her way to the back and put her bag down against the wall. Roger pointed to the treadmills first. Kassie grabbed her headphone and her phone so she could listen to music.
"How long?" Mark asked and Roger smiled at him
"3 miles. I suggest that you get moving for a little jog." Roger looked over at Kassie who was already on a full out jog and ready to start running"I am taking it that Kassie had a bad day today?"
"Yeah, she has been quiet on the ride over here. I am just letting her get it out." Mark took a deep breath. Roger worked with Mark getting him nice and warmed up and then getting into the workout. Kassie was still running her lungs out. Roger started Mark in the rowing machine and walked over to Kassie and tapped the top of her machine. She pulled her earbuds out.
"Hey, how about we slow that down and move you to the workout. You did double the distance then Mark did."
"Okay," She said and started to slow it down. She finally got off the treadmill and stood on the ground.
"You had a really bad day huh?"
"You can tell that much?" She said as she took on deep breaths trying to calm her self.
"Oh yeah, let me give you some advice you don't have to take. Forever minute that you remain angry. You are giving up sixty seconds of happiness." Roger placed his hand on Kassie's back as she tried to calm her breathing. Kassie shook her head and tried to push away what happened with Amanda. "Come on Mark... teach the greenhorn here how to do some bumps," Roger said and got into the ring.
Roger leaned up against a corner and watch Mark teach Kassie and then watched both of them take a few. Soon Kassie was laughing and making Mark laugh. Roger smiled at the two of them, as they continued on their way and finished up the work out her had planned for the night.
Mark looked at Kassie when they sat in the truck. "Hey, tomorrow night there is a ride for cancer for kids. I wanted to see if you wanted to go with me?"
"Really? I won't' have to track you down?"
"Yeah, we can drive over together. I will make sure to bring you things to wear" He said and Kassie started to laugh.
"So, I am taking it that cute little dress might not be the outfit you are looking for?" Kassie asked laughed as she looked over at Mark. She noticed his hand was on the center console. Kassie ran her hand against his and she could feel the sparks between them. She closed her eyes and took it in. Mark took a hold of her hand and her eyes snapped open and she smiled.
"I take it that you are saying yes?"
"Yes," She said as she tried to swallow.
"Great, I can not wait till Friday." He paused and looked over at her. She smiled the lights bouncing off her eyes as she looked over and nodded her head. Mark parked his truck and escorted Kassie up to her condo. Kassie leaned up against her door as Mark held on to her hand as the two of them chatted and laughed with each other "I can not wait till tomorrow night."
"Me either" She smiled at him her heart was in her throat as she tried to breathe.
"I will see you tomorrow at work then," Mark said as he slowly left her hand go.
"I will see you tomorrow," She said as she opened her door, and went into her condo. She leaned up against her back to the door. She sighed again and leaned up against the door. She wanted him to come in so much. She got her self together and got her self ready for the night. She grabbed her phone and went to the dating app and messaged Edi 'Hey Edi, Something came up Friday. I will make it up to you just pick another date.'
Kassie sat outside on the balcony. She wore skinny jeans and a black blank top. Her hair was French braid and she wore some night long cat eyes eyeliners with a smokey eye. She looked out into the ocean as she heard a motorcycle after motorcycle goes by the condo. She finally hears a knock on the door. She opened the door and Mark stood there with a package.
"Hi" She smiled
"Hey, This is for you." He said and handed her the box.
"Thank you," She said and opened the door more for Mark to come in. She walked over the kitchen counter and put the box down. She then closed the sliding door and locked it as she turned off the lights all over except for one in the living room. She grabbed the box and looked at Mark and then opened it.
She started to laugh as she pulled out the hoodie "I like this" she smiled it zipped up the front with his logo on the front and then had Undertaker written on the back.
"Oh good" He smiled "It was hard to figure out what you would like to wear. "Shall we go?"
"Yes," She grabbed a small backpack and put it on and then her new sweatshirt on top of that. They walked out of the condo. Mark put his arm around her and pulled her a bit closer.
"So, I have to ask. Have you been on a motorcycle before?"
"Yeah," She laughed a bit and Mark shook her a little next to him.
"You're getting a helmet. That is all I need on my mind is that I lose the most valuable person in the company."
"Oh my no way," She said and laughed as the two of them got to the motorcycle. Mark handed her the helmet and she put it on. He got on and started the bike. Kassie got on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Ready?"
"Yeah" She screamed over the motorcycle. Mark pulled out and off the way and the two of them were on there a way to the event. Kassie continued to hold onto Mark. Mark enjoyed having her arms wrapped around him. They slowly pulled up to the event. Staff started to point where he was supposed to park. Mark slowed down as he pulled into the lot. Kassie slowly began to loosen her grip and Mark made sure to give it a bit more gas and Kassie grabbed on to him and he could feel her laughing at him. Kassie looked around and seen miles and miles of motorcycles. People were all over the place. Mark stopped at another security area. He gave him his name and he handed him an envelope and Mark put in inside his vest. Kassie looked around as she could not see anyone that she even knew. Mark pulled his bike in and then back into a spot and turned off the bike. Kassie got off the bike first and then Mark got off.
He turned around and reached over to help take off the helmet. "You good?"
"Yeah" She laughed and handed over the helmet "Are you sneaking me into the party?"
"No no," He put the helmet on the bike and reached into his vest and opened the envelope. He looked at the one lanyard and put it on him and then took the other one and put it on Kassie. "Your my plus one" He chuckled and Kassie laughed with him. "Come let's get some food and drink." Kassie followed as the two of them walked and chatted. Mark pointed out special areas and Kassie skipped and jump to keep up with him. "So, what do you want?" He asked as they stood in line just like normal people.
"Um, can you read it to me?" She asked and smiled a bit and Mark realized that she couldn't see what they even had. Mark looked down at her and smiled and spouted off a few things that they had.
"I will take a cheeseburger and water" She looked up at him and he started to laugh
"Yeah, no Jack here" He laughed at her and she playfully punched him. Mark wrapped his arm around her and she leaned her head on his chest. He leaned his head down and took a deep breath of her perfume. She smelled sweet like cotton candy pure and simple the sweetest thing to mind. He smiled and could not imagine anyone else that he would want to be with.
"About the time that you show up!" Kassie turned her head and Glen walked over with Crystal alongside him. Kassie and Mark were just finishing up their burgers. Mark wiped his hands and threw out the small plate and napkin in the basket near him.
Mark and Glen hugged "Sorry, got here a little late and just got some food."
"That's okay they didn't start yet. I am taking it that they will start around 8 pm."
"Sounds great." Mark said "Kassie you remember Crystal"
"Yes, How are you?" Kassie smiled at Crystal
"Good. I see you are ware the right gear this time." She laughed and so did everyone else. Kassie shook her head.
"Yeah, Mark had to bring me the hoodie" She smiled and Crystal wrapped her arm around her. "Come with me and I will introduce you to the other women."
"Thank you, Crys," Glen said and smiled at her and she smiled back at him. Kassie looked at Mark and he smiled.
Glen looked at Mark and waited until the girls were out of earshot. "So, please tell me you stopped the games with Kassie and this between you and her is you."
"Um," Mark leaned his head back "I am not into another heartache."
"But you think she is?" Glen asked as he took a drink. "Stop shape-shifting, and get the real emotions out. I am telling you Mark if you don't do it. She will find someone else." Mark shook his head a bit as he listened to him. "Let's go do the meet and greet while the girls are away."
The girls started to walk through the crowd has the DJ started to play music. "So, does this mean that Mark and you are a couple?" Crystal asked and looked over at Kassie.
"I am not sure what this is. I want to say we are in a relationship, but he is warm one minute and cold the next."
"That is just normal with guys like Mark and Glen." She chuckled a bit "You seem a lot more comfortable with Mark now."
"Yeah. I am at the point where I want to share everything and yet nothing all at once." Kassie laughed and Crystal smiled and the girls joined a group of women.
"Hello, ladies. I want to introduce Mark's plus one." Crystal started "This is Kassie. She works with Mark and Glen. Be nice and teach her the ropes." She shook Kassie a little bit and the girls said hello all at once.
Mark and Glen finished up with their meet and greets and took the photos that were needed with the groups and whatnot. Mark looked out in the sea of people and in the middle of the group, there were a bunch of girls dancing to the music that the DJ was playing. Mark started to laugh and pointed them out to Glen. " You know that Kassie started that!" Mark said very loudly to Glen
"Oh yeah, and there is Crystal dancing right alongside her" Glen laughed and smile. The guys stood there and watched the girls. They knew neither one of them were worried about the guys, they were sticking together and watching out for each other.
"Mark, listen, you know that feeling. You know that feeling when it is just right and you don't have to try to impress anyone. She accepts you." Glen said and Mark was quiet and listening "I just want to see you happy." Mark knew exactly what he meant and when he looked out over the people. He couldn't only see that one person and that was Kassie.
Mark and Glen walked over to the dancing group and Kassie looked over and noticed Mark. She tapped on Crystal and then ran over to Mark. "Are you going to join us?" She grabbed his hand and tried to start to pull him out to the group.
"We got to get ready for the ride. You ready for some night riding?" Mark asked as he placed his arm around her pulling her close to him.
"Sure" Kassie smiled and looked up at Mark. Crystal snuggled up against Glen who wrapped his arms around her.
"Okay guys, see you in line." He said and Mark guided Kassie back tot he bike as the two of them held hands.
"So?" Glen asked Crystal and she looked up at him as she placed her hand on his chest.
"I am so glad. I am married" She laughed
"I am glad you married too. Mark is still shape-shifting." Glen said to Crystal
"And you're still asking me to use my third sense. Mark will lose her if she figures it out. She is not a dumb girl."
"Yeah, well I am not getting an edge up on your power." Glen rolled his eyes and sighed as the two of them began to walk and continued to talk.
Mark handed Kassie the helmet. Kassie started to pout, and Mark didn't even say a word. He looked up at her and just fixed his gloves. Kassie pulled the strap as she made sure that the helmet was on tight enough. Mark smiled and reached over to double-check her, and then got on the bike and started it. Kassie got on behind him. She scooted up closer to him as she placed her hands under his vest and closer to his skin. Mark smiled and waited for a little noticing that she was ready and he slowly started to drive the bike.
The event started as they got everyone into position. Glen and Mark drove side by side and lead the second group of bikes. It was an event to see. Kassie took it all in as you could see nothing but bikes and everyone took their time and made their way with streets filled with people cheering them on. Kassie could not stop smiling. She was excited to see all the good that the guys were doing and all the smiles on the crowd's face. She also could not believe she was here in the middle of this all. The group finally stopped and Crystal and Glen pulled up alongside. Kassie looked over at Crystal wearing a helmet too. Kassie started to laugh and thought 'Maybe Crystal is right. The guys are always protecting us.' The sounds of the bikes were all you could hear. There was no music, no screaming, no talking, nothing just the motors of the bikes. It was soothing like the beach to Kassie. She could think and drown out all the messes up things of the week.
Mark pulled up to Kassie's condo and parked the bike. Kassie got off the bike and then Mark. Kassie pulled her helmet off as she tried to fix her hair and Mark took the helmet and put it on the bike. "Thank you for coming with me. I hope you had fun."
"Oh yeah, I did. That is something I can do again." She smiled "Do you guys do that often?"
"Here there. I am sure now with me being out the ring. There will be more opportunities to do things like that." He paused and lifted his arm and Kassie snuggled right into him. The two of them started to walk into the condo and into the elevator.
"Why not come in for a nightcap?" Kassie asked and Mark looked down at her.
"Sure, I will take you up on that offer." He smiled as they walked out of the elevator. Kassie unzipped her sweatshirt and took off her small pack. She pulled out her keys and opened up the door. Mark pushed the door open and held it for Kassie as she walked in.
"The good stuff is on top of the refrigerator. I will be right back" She said as she went into the bedroom and Mark closed the door. Mark took off his vest and placed it on the one bar stool. Mark heard the bathroom water turn on. He reached up and grabbed the Whiskey Speyburn bottle and opened several cabinets until he found the glasses. "You finding everything okay?" Kassie called out from the bedroom.
"Yeah, I am good," Mark said and Kassie came out shortly after wearing a relaxed pair of sweatpants and her Undertaker sweatshirt. She texted the girls that she was home and put the phone down on the charger. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, I am good." She smiled as Mark opened the freezer and put some ice in each glass. She leaned up against the counter a bit as she watched. "Let's sit outside. It's nice out" She smiled at Mark and he nodded his head and took both the glasses filled with Whiskey following Kassie out the door.
Kassie sat down closer to the edge of the balcony and Mark sat next to her. He handed her a glass and she smiled and cheered him the glass clinking 'I wish this was every night' She thought and took a sip as the two of them smiled. Kassie and Mark started to chat and the Whiskey was making warm bodies and loose lips. She leaned over at Mark and placed her head in his lap. Kassie started to laugh as she looked at Mark who gently ran his fingers over her forehead.
"What's so funny?" He asked continuing to rub her head.
"My heart... my mind. If you could hear this battle." She sighed and looked over at the dark sea "I am my worst enemy."
"Why do you believe that?"
"I will find something wrong to just find something wrong. I can't just relax and say things are fine."
"Maybe you just need to believe in what you tell everyone else."
"What is that?" she laughed a bit as she wiggled her head back and forth on his lap.
"The universe has your back," Mark said and Kassie sighed as she tried to sip the whiskey from the side of her mouth.
"Your right, " She said and unzipped her hoodie a bit. Mark couldn't tell is she was just hot or the golden liquid helping her out. Mark sighed as he ran his hand from her forehead to her cheek as he looked out to the sea.
"You know the darkness hides the real beauty of the beach."
"Yeah, but you are the light looking into the darkness and showing the beauty that is hidden," Kassie said her eyes getting heavy as she listens to the beach and taking in each touch that Mark was leaving on her skin. She took a few deep breaths and smiled a little as she wanted to be in this moment forever.
Mark noticed that Kassie was sleeping. He finished his Whiskey that was now watered down and put the glass down. He picked her up and gently carried her into her room. He shifted Kassie in his arms and pulled the covers down and laid Kassie into her bed. He moved the covers on top of her. He looked around the room as he tries to figure out where the light switch was at. He noticed his photo in the mirror. He smiled as he ran his hand against it and looked over at Kassie. He turned off the light and Kassie began to mumble "Mar-"
"Yeah?" He said softly as he looked at her talking with her eyes closed
"You have no idea," she said clearly and then continued to mumble.
Mark gave her a look like what was she talking about 'Oh, I am sure' Mark thought to himself as he left the doorway of her room. He looked down at her phone that was flashing "Fucking Cheater" popped up once again. Mark looked at his watch to see that it was on in the morning. There would be no reason for anyone to call at this time. Mark sighed and shook his head as he cleaned up putting the glasses in the sink and closing and locking the balcony and the front door before he left.
Kassie woke up the next morning late. She slowly stretched out in the bed feeling the ties of the sweatshirt. She then sat up wondering what happen to Mark. She walked out of the bedroom no Mark to be found. She frowns a bit and then picked up her phone swiping away the messages and texted Mark 'Secret, I promise I am not normally such a horrible partner. It must have been all the fresh air and stars.'
Kassie sat outside as the day just continued. She then came up with this great idea and texted the girls 'I am going to surprise Edi for lunch. After all, I did blow him off for Mark.'
'That sounds like a good idea.' Amanda said 'Then maybe you can get his number too.'
'I know right, that is so weird' Jennifer wrote back.
Kassie got dressed in a cute little sundress and headed out. She picked up two salads and fresh fruit. She was proud of her self since it would be such a surprise and also give her a chance to see him without him expecting it. She pulled up to the factory which he said he worked. She got out of the car and walk into the office.
"Hi, can I help you?" The secretary asked looking up from the computer screen.
"Hi, I am looking for Edi Smith." Kassie paused "He told me that he works here in accounting."
"Um, I don't know that name, but let me look him up. Edi Smith correct?"
"Yes"
"I don't have an employee with that name."
"Um, how about just Edi?"
"No one under the name Edi or Edward." The secretary said to Kassie who then just gave up.
"Well, here are two salads and fruit." She smiles "Enjoy them" placed the bag on the counter and walked right out of the factory. She had enough to know what has happened. She walked out to her car and messaged Edi on the app 'You lied to me! I stopped at your work and no one knows you! Your the type of people that should not be on this app! Fucking liar!' She pushed send. She placed her phone in the passenger seat. She drove back home the music blaring and the anger building up inside of her. She lowers the music and picked up her phone. She checks to see if Edi read the message. He did and that just made her blood boil even more. She started to delete all her photos off the app, and one final message her inactivated it.
'Amanda and Jennifer- You two still going out tonight?' Kassie texted
'Yea, pick you up?' Amanda asked with her goody emoji
'Fuck yeah!' Kassie said and started to gather her things and headed back into the condo.
'What happened with Edi?' Jessica asked
'I went to his job. He doesn't work there. No one by any form of Edi works there. I cussed him out in a message. He read it. He didn't even speak back. I deleted my photos and I deleted that app.' she texted and everyone in the group knew that old revenge Kassie was back.
'Woohoo, lets hit the town tonight!' Amanda texted
'Let's get you laid!' Jennifer said 'Best thing to do to get over an asshole like him.'
'Yeah, why not. There is no man out there for me to be with forever. Only users and players.' Kassie texted as she walked into her condo.
'What about Mark?" Ashley asked sort of hoping that Kassie would get her head on straight.
'Mark? I can't even tell what I am to him.' Kassie stopped for a moment looked out at the beach. Her memory flashing all the images from the last night. She put her phone down and tears started to stream in her eyes. 'Why could she not understand what she meant to him.' she thought and then repeated what he wrote on his photo ' You mean more to me than I'll ever let you know.'
Jessica paced the floor back and forth. She wanted to call Mark but had no idea if she should be putting her nose into this. She tapped her cell phone in her hand and unable to make a decision. Jessica looked at her husband sitting on the couch and was playing on his phone.
"You're not going to feel better until you do it." He said to her knowing her better than anyone else.
"But he is one of my bosses. I am not sure if I should be giving him advice."
"It's not advice, Jess." He paused "You are doing this for Kass, not for Mark." He stopped playing his game on his phone and looked up at her as she continued to pass the floor. "You know Kass is going to go down that dark path as she has in the past."
Hours have passed and Jessica could not stop walking around and looked at her husband knowing he was right. He unlocked her phone and started to dial Mark's number. The phone rang and rang... Jessica began to think about what happens if he does not answer, and then there a rough voice on the other side "Hello?"
"Hi Mark, its Jessica."
"Hi, Jessica. What can I do for you?" He asked his voice a bit confused about why she would be calling.
"Well, I know you and Kassie have been seeing each other...I am not sure if it super serious..." She paused and Mark cleared his throat "But she has been in burnt in a bad way and" Jessica tried to get out as nice as possible "Kassie you know is still on the prowl. Well, something went wrong, and she was burnt again."
"Is she okay?" Mark asked concern in his voice
"Um, yeah right now she is. When things like this happen she normally drinks her self into the black hole." Jessica paused "She is planning on going out tonight with Amanda and Jennifer."
"Where are they going?" Mark knew that he had to stop her from making a bigger mistake then what has already happened. Mark got up from the couch and rubbed his head as he waited for Jessica to tell him.
"The Colosseum" Her voice trembling a bit.