"Thanks again for convincing your parents' to let me me stay with you this summer," Katherine said as she finished packing.
Cassia smiled at her friend, " Girl, we're practically sisters by now. You would have done the same for me."
The two girls had grown closer after Christmas. Katherine officially moved out of her mother's house in Vegas. Between classes and working out, Cassia had helped her pair down her belongings. Some of it was in storage near the college, the girls deciding to move off campus next year.
Cassia had seen Rane more often than she thought she would. It was a sore point with her that she hadn't been to his house yet. Rane said he wanted a few days during the summer there rather than a quick weekend. They had done their best to make it work, each getting snappy if they had seen each other for too long.
"Quinn should be here soon, let's start bringing our stuff out," Cassia said.
It took them three trips to bring everything. They chatted a bit about Jax's break-up as they waited. Cassia knew how torn up her brother was, and she was equally furious for how Tara had broken things off. Finally, the roar of a motorcycle made both of them grab a suitcase.
Cassia giggle-grinned as Quinn came forward. He had to weave through the crowd a bit, getting some stares. When he reached her he grabbed her suitcase leaning down to give her a kiss. Pulling back he kissed her forehead sending a jolt of happiness through Cassia.
"Hey babe," she said.
"Sugar," he said kissing her forehead again. He turned to Katherine.
"Hey doll face, you alright?" The care Quinn showed Katherine made Cassia love him even more.
"Yeah, think you could help us load up?"
Cassia stole one more kiss before turning to get another bag. It only took them twenty minutes to load up between Cassia's pick-up and Katherine's Mercedes. The three pulled out, knowing they would be home in plenty of time for dinner.
Cassia only brought in her clothing suitcase when they pulled in. She noticed her roommate's nerves and gave her hand a squeeze.
"Hand over that suitcase sugar," Quinn said. Cassia did, knowing that being such a gentlemen was a love language for her old man.
"Clay and Jax are at T-M or on club business right now. It's just Gemma," Cassia soothed heading in.
"Mom! We're here!" Cassia shouted happy to be back in her childhood home.
"My baby is back!" Gemma half-teased pulling Cassia into a quick hug. "And this is Katherine, right?"
"Yes ma'am, thank you again for opening your home to me. Cass speaks highly of you."
Gemma gave a smile of approval before ushering Katherine to Thomas's old room. Cassia felt Quinn wrap his arms around her pulling her to his chest. She relished the feeling of being close to the man.
"Baby, I missed you," he murmured.
"You going soft on me?' She teased receiving a pinch to her side making her laugh.
"Careful sugar…" Quinn warned. Cassia just stuck her tongue out at him before dragging him to the could for some catch up time.