By the time I got off the bus, it was already darker. The air was cooler now, and the streetlights were glowing softly along the sidewalk. I dragged my tired legs down the road toward the apartment. The familiar warm lights from Mama C's Café lit up the ground floor like a little beacon. It looked cozy, even at this hour.
As I stepped in, the smell of fresh coffee and baked pastries wrapped around me like a warm hug. There were still a few customers sitting around—two girls giggling over dessert, and a man typing away on a laptop near the corner. The bell above the door jingled.
"Hey, Cassie," Jane smiled at me from behind the counter.
"Hey," I smiled back weakly.
Jane's been working with Mom for about a year now. She's only nineteen, a little shy, but she's a good girl. Always polite and helps keep the place running when Mom's upstairs or tired. She wore a brown apron with the café's logo—Mama C's—stitched in yellow thread across her chest.
"Rough day?" she asked as I walked past the counter.
"You have no idea," I muttered with a sigh.
Mom was wiping a table close to the door. "Cassie, baby, welcome back," she said, standing up straight and giving me a quick once-over. "How was work?"
"Not good," I said, already kicking off my shoes as I reached the stairs. "Thanks to Mr. Thompson."
Mom scoffed. "Ugh. That fat, ugly, lazy son of a—" she caught herself when she noticed the two girls glancing over. She lowered her voice. "I should come to that office one day and yank that man's tie off with a tray."
I snorted. "Please don't." While climbing the stairs.
"I'm just saying!" she called as I made my way up the stairs. "He's lucky I'm changed now. I would have given him a piece of me."
My room was the first door on the right. I went in, dropped my bag, and groaned as I flopped onto my bed. My whole body ached. After a few seconds of just lying there, I pulled myself up and headed for the shower.
A hot shower helped ease some of the tension from the day. I changed into my favorite grey pajamas—soft and loose, with tiny coffee mugs printed all over them. I towel-dried my hair and climbed back into bed, just in time to hear a knock on the door.
"Come in," I said.
Mom peeked in. "I'm making beef casserole for dinner. You want some?"
"Definitely," I said. "Thanks, mama."
She nodded. "Jane will close up once the customers leave. I told her to lock up before ten."
I hummed in response, already lying back on my pillow.
Dinner came about twenty minutes later. We ate in the kitchen upstairs. It was quiet except for the clinking of forks and the soft sound of the radio playing old R&B songs in the background. Mom sat across from me, spooning casserole onto her plate.
"So…" she said, dragging the word like she had been dying to bring something up. "Sophie called today."
I looked up. "Sophie? As in, Jason's mom Sophie?"
She nodded with a slight smirk.
"Okay…" I mumbled, chewing slower.
"She said Jason is in town. Apparently, he's taking over the family business."
I swallowed and took a sip of water. "Good for him," I said flatly. "At least his life is settled."
Mom gave me a look. "You guys still hate each other?"
"Hate is a strong word," I said, stabbing a piece of beef with my fork. "I just… don't like him. And he doesn't like me either. We just can't stand each other."
"You two used to bicker like old married couples," she said with a small chuckle. "One day, maybe you'll—"
"Don't say it," I cut in, pointing my fork at her. "That's disgusting."
She laughed. "I'm just saying!"
"Thank God it's not possible. Jason and I hate each other. And he's not even single, remember Jessica?"
Her face soured instantly. "Ugh. That one. That rude, obnoxious little—" she shook her head. "I don't like her. Never will."
I raised a brow. "Well, I guess they're a match made in hell. They're both rude and full of themselves."
"Cassandra!" Mom said, shaking her head slowly.
After dinner, I helped put the plates in the sink and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks for dinner, Mama."
"Get some rest, baby," she said, patting my back. "You look tired."
I returned to my room and flopped on the bed again. I was just about to close my eyes when my phone buzzed.
Julie Calling…
I smiled a little before answering.
"Hey, girl."
"Cassie!" Julie's excited voice filled my ear. "You better not forget about the reunion tomorrow!"
"I didn't. I already set a reminder on my phone," I replied, rolling onto my back.
"Good. I had to call because you always forget stuff."
"I do not—"
"You do," she laughed. "Anyway, do you know if he might be coming?"
"Who?"
"Jason."
I rolled my eyes. "And how would I know if Mr. Perfect is coming or not? Am I his person assistant?"
Julie burst out laughing. "There it is. Same old Cassie."
I grinned. "Don't start."
"I mean, come on, wouldn't it be so nice if he shows up? You two could finally—"
"Nope. We are not doing that storyline."
Julie was still laughing. "Alright, alright. See you tomorrow, babe. Wear something hot, okay?"
"I'll try."
After the call ended, I placed my phone on the nightstand and turned off the bedside lamp. My mind drifted for a moment, but I pushed away any thought of Jason before it could go too far.
I had more important things to think about. Like what I'd wear tomorrow to the reunion.