"I didn't call because I knew that if I did, you would tell me to come home and that you miss me. I would have come home", she said.
"If you needed time, space, I would have understood. You should have just told me", he said.
"AJ, the only reason I came back was for my grandma. I wouldn't have come back otherwise", she replied, eyes looking out the window.
"I know what I do is unorthodox", he was cut off.
Casey had started laughing and shaking her head.
"That is putting it mildly", she replied.
He raised a brow, a small smile on his lips.
"You know what I do, Casey. If you want to divorce me, then do it. Just don't come back after you do", he said.
She looked at him. Now it was his turn to keep his eyes out the window.
"Quick and painful", he mumbled.
She had heard him. Is that what she really wanted? Some days, yes. Others, not so much.
"Lets see how I feel after dinner", she said.
He quickly looked at her. She shrugged.
"Don't disappoint, dear", she said with a smile.
He smirked.
"So, about you lying to me", she suddenly said.
He raised a brow.
"Lie? What lie?", he asked.
"About waiting three years before sleeping with someone else", she said.
He sighed.
"Grandma told you", he said.
She nodded.
"I was drunk and, missing you. I wish I could take it back, I really do.", he said.
She nodded.
"I know what you mean. I wish I could take it back too. I wasn't drunk, but I guess I just wanted to see if my body would react for another man", she said.
"Clearly it did", he mumbled.
"Not the way it did with you. I had to force it", she replied.
She reached for his hand and locked it with hers. It felt right.
"Who was he?", he asked, his eyes on their locked hands.
She smiled and shook her head.
"No way in hell am I telling you. Why? So you could put a hit on him? No way. Besides, he has a wife now and kids.", she said.
He nodded.
"Fine, as long as it was nothing more", he said.
She shook her head no.
"So what else did you lie about?", she asked.
He smirked.
"Its only been with that one woman. When I couldn't take the urges anymore", he replied, squeezing her hand tight.
She nodded.
"Forgiven", she said.
He met her eyes.
"Really? Just like that?", he asked.
She nodded.
"As long as you forgive me", she said.
He lifted their hands and kissed the back of hers.
"Forgiven, my love", he said softly.
Once they arrived at Jimmy and Jey's restaurant, Usos, they walked inside. The place was packed.
"Where are we sitting?", she asked.
He tugged on her hand, heading towards the back.
"Away from prying eyes.", he answered.
She blushed. Getting to the area, the room was covered in rose petals, scented candles, and wine chilling in a bucket.
"So far so good?", he asked, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke.
It sent shivers down her spine.
"So far we are between a C and a B", she said.
He laughed softly.
"Oh, I'm getting that A, baby", he whispered, before pulling her towards the only table in the room.
He helped her sit and pushed in her chair after she sat.
"Still such a gentleman", she said.
He sat across from her. The waiter walked over and asked for their order. Casey asked for her favorite and the waiter nodded.
"I'll have the same", AJ said, handing the menu.
A waitress lifted the bottle of wine and AJ nodded. She poured them both a glass and Casey lifted it. She took a small sip and nodded.
"Wow, still have great taste in wine. B+", she said, setting down her glass.
AJ laughed before talking a drink of his.
"So, this woman you slept with. Where is she now?", Casey asked.
AJ chuckled.
"She's a stripper. Her name is Mandy Rose", AJ replied.
"And now you went down to a D", she said.
AJ licked his lips.
"I thought it was all forgiven", he said.
"That was before I knew she worked for you", she replied.
"For us.", he corrected.
"Fine, she's fired", she said.
He nodded.
"Done", he said.
She raised a brow and crossed her arms over her chest.
"No push back?", she asked, with a tilt of her head.
He shook his head no.
"Do I get my B+ back?", he asked.
"Still debating", she replied.
He smiled. Oh how she had missed his smile.
"I was thinking, when you move back in, why not bring your grandma? The house is big enough. She will be well taken care of", he said.
"I haven't even decided if I still want to be with you", she replied.
"Baby, we both know you aren't going anywhere.", he said with a smirk.
She squeezed her legs closed tight.
"Killed anyone?", she asked.
He knew Jimmy and Jey checked their place for police bugs before opening daily. Especially since AJ wasn't the only Boss to eat here or handled business here.
"Lie?", he asked.
Her smile slipped.
"Truth", she replied.
"Six in the past fifteen years since you've been gone.", he answered.
"Who? Why?", she asked.
He leaned against the table.
"Loyals to DX. All were involved in yours and Trish's kidnapping and murder. Like I said, Karl was hurting", AJ said.
As much as she wanted to be mad at him for handling it this way. Apart of her was proud of him for doing it. Its what those men deserved.
"Thank you", she mumbled.
He met her eyes.
"I would do anything for you, Case", he said.
Before they could say anything more, their food arrived.
After the party was over, Casey was helping to clean up some of the mess. The more she got done now, the less Trish would freak out in the morning.
"Best friend duties never end, I see", his voice sent a shiver down her spine.
She turned to see AJ leaning against the door. She lifted the bag of paper plates and red cups.
"I've been here before, she freaks out and is left alone to try and clean this place up. Might as well start now and get some done", she said.
"Well, then you would be happy to know I washed the dirty dishes in the sink", he said, pushing himself off the wall.
Casey couldn't help her smile.
"Why would you do that?", she asked.
He shrugged and stepped closer to her.
"I might have seen you starting to clean up. Figured, why not help you", he said, taking the bag from her hands.
"Thanks", she said softly.
He winked at her.
"I'm not sleeping with you, if that's what this is", she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
He chuckled.
"You're cute. Don't get me wrong, I would do anything to slip between your legs, but not this way. You are different, Casey. I don't know what it is", he said.
She blushed.
"Now, this is where I ask you out and you say yes", he said, biting his lip.
She blushed more and nodded.
"Yes", she replied.
Casey was laughing so hard. She didn't know if it was the wine or if what AJ was saying was really funny.
"No lie, the runt actually dressed up in a stripper outfit and got on the pole. Shinsuke was not amused", AJ said, smiling.
"Is he still working with Sami?", she asked.
He nodded.
"Asked for you, even brought you a gift from Japan. Remind me to give it to you", AJ said.
Casey nodded. The waitress served the last of the wine.
"Want another bottle?", he asked.
She finished her glass and he did as well.
"Maybe another night", she replied.
He smirked. She giggled.
"Should we go home, or do I drop you off at your grandma's place?", he asked.
She knew what he wanted, because he had that look in his eyes.
"Grandma's house. For now", she smirked.
She heard him curse under his breath before licking his lips.
"For now", he nodded.
Once he paid and they both thanked Jimmy and Jey on their way out. She noticed three men huddled in a corner. One she thought she recognized. He met her eyes.
"Is that Rosey?", she asked.
AJ stopped and looked towards Roman, Dean, and Seth. He sent them a nod. They returned it.
"No", he replied.
"But he looks so much like him", she whispered, climbing into the car.
"He does", AJ mumbled.
She could tell AJ was hiding something, but the look on his face said not to ask now. She would bring it up later. He had them driven to her grandma's house. He walked her to the door and kissed her cheek.
"Goodnight, beautiful", he said, before stepping away and towards his car.
"Hey", she said, stopping him.
He turned.
"And you better leave Mandy on her damn pole or I will castrate you and kill her", she said.
He chuckled.
"I believe that, and don't worry. Haven't touched her in months. Besides, my wife is back", he said, winking.
He still gave her butterflies.