Engaging (Alluring Book 2) by Sarah Curtis

look.  He gave her his cocky smile.  They would definitely have words later.
    Gage said good-bye to the teenagers while Cassie wet a napkin to wash Logan's face and hands.  He had pizza sauce everywhere.
    "I'll take him to the bathroom to wash up," Gage said, sliding from the booth.
    "Oh, okay.  I guess that would be easier."  Cassie watched Gage and Logan walk hand-in-hand to the bathroom.  They looked so cute together.  She knew Gage wanted to be a part of his life, but he also wanted to be a part of hers, and she wasn't sure what to do about that. 
    Did she trust that he really wanted her, had wanted her this whole time?  Did she give him a second chance or would that be giving him a second chance at breaking her heart?  She had loved Gage once, and if she were completely honest with herself, she knew deep down, she loved him still.  And that was why they could only remain friends.  With no expectations, there could be no heartache.
    Well, friends who had sex.  She smiled to herself.  She had forgotten how much she enjoyed it.  She wasn't one to have one-night stands so having someone that she already knew intimately who was also a friend to have sex with would be great.  That way no one would get hurt.  And when they each found that special someone, they would still be friends because no one expected anything more.  And staying friendly was good for Logan's sake.
    She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the boys return.  "You ready?"  Gage stood by the booth.
    "Sure."  Cassie nodded and slid out. 
    Gage pulled the wad of money out of his front pocket again, this time peeling off a hundred and left it on the table.
    "Remind me, if I ever become a waitress, I want you for a customer."
    Gage wrapped his arm around her shoulders.  "You won't ever be a waitress, Sunshine."
    "I was, once."
    "I remember.  Sam's Pizzeria."
    Cassie laughed.  "How do you remember that?"
    "I remember everything about you, Sunshine."
    Logan piped in.  "Pizza?"
    Cassie looked down at him.  "Yeah, your mommy used to work at a pizza place."
    Logan looked in awe.  "Cool."  Four-year-olds, Cassie decided, were easily impressed.
    "Come on," Gage said, taking Logan's hand, his arm still wrapped around her shoulders.  "Who's in the mood for ice cream?" 
     
    Cassie sat nervously in the waiting room of her OB/GYN.  She was nervous for two reasons.  First, Gage sat beside her in what was clearly her domain that he should be no part of, and second, every woman in the waiting room stared at them.
    When Gage had called her that morning and casually asked if she had made an appointment, she had thought nothing of sharing the information that, yes she had an appointment that afternoon, never thinking he would show up at her house to take her to said appointment. 
    She did another sly glance around.  All the women still stared, not hiding their fascination with Gage.  Gage sat, oblivious, reading a magazine. 
    A few minutes later, Gage leaned over and whispered in her ear.  "Stop fidgeting."  He lightly kissed her on the cheek, taking the sting out of his reprimand.  Cassie thought she heard a few sighs.  OMG, Gage, please go wait in the car, she screamed, inside her head.
    "Cassandra Wagner?"  A nurse popped her head through the door separating the waiting room from the inner exam rooms.
    Cassie stood.  Then so did Gage.  She turned to him and whispered, "What are you doing?"
    "Coming with you," he said, casually as if he wasn't about to follow her into a room she would have to get naked in.
    "You are not,"  she whisper-hissed.
    Cassie looked around.  They were getting curious stares.
    "Cassandra?"  The nurse inquired.
    "Yes, coming."  She elbowed Gage in the stomach, hoping to get a head start and therefore, lock him out of the exam area.  No such luck.  He was right on her heels.
    The nurse led them to an exam room and handed Cassie a paper gown and a plastic cup.  "We need a urine sample, then everything