His father shot Tim a sympathetic glance before pivoting on his sneakers and retreating around the side of the house.
“You and Jayne are perfect for each other. She’s a good person. While this Cassidy creature—”
“Not. One. More. Word.” The steel in Tim’s voice brought his mother up short. He didn’t want to be a hard-ass, but on this matter, he’d brook no argument. Up to this point, he’d tried to ignore his mother’s subtle digs against Cassidy, but he’d had enough. “Cassidy Kaye is a well-respected businesswoman in this community. I won’t allow you to disparage her character.”
Suzanne blinked. She opened her mouth but when her eyes met his steely ones, she appeared to reconsider and closed it without speaking.
Seizing the blessed moment of silence, Tim changed the subject. “Are you certain keeping the girls overnight isn’t a problem? I don’t anticipate being out late. I can easily swing by and pick them up.”
“No, no.” Suzanne waved a dismissive hand, regaining her composure. “They’ve been looking forward to a sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa.”
“Okay, then.” He thought about going inside to tell his daughters goodbye, but knew it wasn’t necessary. This was their second home. “Thanks again.”
Tim was almost to the car when his mother called his name. He turned, cocked a brow.
Suzanne hesitated, chewed on her lip. “I hope you have a wonderful evening.”
Tim accepted the olive branch she’d offered with a smile. “I’m sure I will.”
* * *
Cassidy took a bite of the Philly steak pizza and nearly groaned in ecstasy. “Oh-my-gosh.”
Across from her in the booth, Tim grinned and picked up a slice. “That good, huh?”
“Positively sinful. Take a bite. You’ll see.” She let the flavors linger on her tongue. Even as she savored, she watched Tim from beneath lowered lashes, eager for his reaction.
When she’d asked what kind of pizza he liked, he said anything that didn’t have anchovies, while admitting hamburger was a particular favorite.
She’d nearly grimaced, stopping herself in the nick of time. Hamburger pizza? Boring with a capital B.
Then she noticed that Perfect Pizza—a popular eatery in downtown Jackson—had added a Philly steak option. She’d immediately known that was the one she wanted them to share on this special night out. He’d been agreeable and it now sat on the table between them, a gooey mass of cheese and perfectly spiced meat.
“Wow.” Tim’s eyes met hers. “This is good.”
She shot him a wink. “Told you.”
As he chewed, he glanced around. Following the direction of his gaze, she took in the dining room area. Even though it was only a few minutes past four, the place was packed.
“I can’t believe all the people that are here in the middle of the day.” His voice reflected the surprise in his eyes.
Cassidy decided the man really needed to get out more. Anyone who ate out with any regularity knew Perfect Pizza was always busy. “In an hour it’ll be standing room only.”
“Good call on coming early.” He took a sip of soda. “Are you going to tell me now what’s on the agenda for the rest of the evening? Or is that still a secret?”
Cassidy picked up her slice of pizza, her lips slightly curving as she took a bite. Tim was a planner, a busy OB doctor who scheduled his personal life with the same precision he used in his medical practice.
When she’d told him she’d chosen the Saturday of Old West Days for their date, he’d fished for a detailed outline of the evening. She’d deliberately been vague, hoping the uncertainty would keep his thoughts on the evening...and on her.
Of course, she had no illusions anything would develop between them. They were from two different worlds. Even back in high school, she’d known her crush on him would go nowhere. Guys like him didn’t date girls like her.
The pizza caught for a moment in her throat before she determinedly swallowed it down. Only one thing mattered. Tonight, he was hers and they would have fun. She’d make sure of it.
“Cassidy.”
Startled, she blinked away thoughts of her past and looked up to find him staring. At her. More specifically, at her bright pink lips.
Her heart played hopscotch in her chest as Tim leaned forward, reaching out to her, carefully avoiding the pizza that sat between them.
Cassidy held her breath.
“You have a piece of—” the side of his finger brushed her mouth and sent heat shooting through her blood “—cheese.”
She gave a shaky laugh. “Guess you can’t take me anywhere.”
He smiled, but there was a strange heat in his eyes. Or perhaps she’d simply imagined it, because a second later it had vanished. “You look lovely tonight.”
“Thank you. I wanted to do something in honor of Old West Days.” Though Cassidy loved flashy dresses and short skirts, for today’s festivities she’d chosen a pair of jeggings that hugged her long, slender legs like a second skin. She’d topped the tight pants with a bandanna tee in lime green. A bright blue belt cinched the shirt tight around her waist. Cowboy boots completed the ensemble.
Though she’d momentarily considered pulling her hair up in a stylish tail, at the last second she’d decided to let it tumble loose around her shoulders, better to show off several thin streaks of lime near the front.
Cassidy knew she looked her best. She’d made sure of it. But she wasn’t the only hottie in the room. “Allow me to say, Dr. Duggan, that you look übersexy this evening.”
Her gaze lingered on his white polo and sun-bronzed, muscular arms.
Tim laughed a bit self-consciously.
“No lie. Jeans, white shirt and buff bod do it for me every time.”
He laughed. “Now it’s my turn to thank you. I can’t remember the last time anyone told me I was sexy.”
“You’ve obviously been hanging around the wrong women.”
He only grinned and moved the conversation to her business, something Cassidy could talk about for hours. In addition to her hair salon, Clippety Do Dah—that happened to be doing a rockin’ business—last year she’d expanded into hair, makeup and nails for special events.
“Is Hailey still helping you out?” Tim asked.
Speech therapist Hailey Ferris was a genius with makeup. For the past couple of years she’d been helping Cassidy with special events.
“Not anymore. Too much on her plate. Wife to Winn, mother to Cameron and now being pregnant...” Cassidy lifted her hands and let them drop. “That’s not even taking into account her speech therapy clients.”
“I forgot that she’s part of that multi-therapy clinic Meg Lassiter started,” he said, referring to another of their friends.
“Her plate totally runneth over.” Cassidy took another bite of pizza. She was happy for Hailey, truly she was, but Cassidy really needed the help. “She told me she’ll fill in when I’m desperate, but knowing her situation I won’t ask.”
“Do you have a replacement in mind?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been