Chapter 56 - Rendezvous

The cafe where Tom and I decide to meet has a warm, inviting scent of freshly brewed coffee. The aroma of breakfast sandwiches and pastries wafts through the cafe, along with hints of baked goods and spices in the air.

Tom waves at me from his seat and calls, “Cassie!”

I smile at him and walk towards him. “Hi, Tom,” I greet.

“I thought you wouldn’t come.”

I sit in front of him and look into his eyes. His gaze quickly flits away as if ashamed. “I like you, Tom. I know you are aware of it already.”

A blush creeps into his cheeks. “I like you too. Very much so.” He gulps before asking, “Which is why I’d like to ask why you didn’t meet me last night. I thought you changed your mind about us?”

The smile fades from my face. “I couldn’t,” I answer.

Tom reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just don’t understand.”

I sigh. “I still have a husband, even if we are not really in love with each other.”

He looks down, his hold on