“Don’t you dare talk about yourself like that. You deserve everything,” Cassian said seriously, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ana snuggled into his arms with a contented sigh. “I’m really happy right now.”

She’d always been someone who struggled with feeling secure. She needed more love and reassurance than most people, but Jasper used to tell her to be more independent, to stop being so clingy.

Eventually, she’d learned to hide behind a mask, keeping her sensitive thoughts to herself instead of sharing them with Jasper.

Maybe that’s why their relationship had always felt like there was this invisible barrier between them–they could never talk the way they used to.

Ana hadn’t known Cassian for very long, but somehow it felt like they’d known each other forever. With him, she could just be herself without any pretense.

The doorbell rang, and Ana started to get up. “I’ll get it.”

“I got it,” Cassian said, already moving.

Ana laughed. “I’m not an invalid, you know.”

“I like taking care of my wife,” he replied with a grin.

Ana felt her cheeks burn as blood rushed to her face.

When Cassian opened the door, he found Tamia Summer standing there with red-rimmed eyes.

Tamia looked surprised to see him. “Mr. Rhodes.”

Cassian nodded. “Just call me Cassian.”

Tamia thought to herself that there was no way she could be so casual with someone of his status.

“Is Ana here?”

Tamia wasn’t really focused on Cassian–she was looking past him into the apartment.

“Yeah, come on in,” Cassian said, stepping aside.

Ana got up to greet her friend.

The moment Tamia saw Ana, she rushed over and threw her arms around her, bursting into tears. “Ana…”

Cassian tactfully grabbed his tablet and headed into his study, closing the door behind him.

Without an audience, Tamia let herself really cry.

It took Ana a while to calm her down.

“Ana, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. You suffered because of me,” Tamia said, guilt written all over her face.

Ana patted her friend’s hand comfortingly. “This whole thing started because of me anyway. Even if I wasn’t the mastermind, I was definitely an accomplice. We’re both in this together.”

Tamia bit her lip and shook her head hard. “No, that’s not how it happened…”

Ana gave her hand another reassuring pat. “It’s over now. Let’s not dwell on it.”

“I know what you did,” Tamia said quietly. “You were protecting me, so you took all the blame yourself.”

“I’m not psychic, Tamia. How could I have predicted any of this?”

Tamia could tell Ana was just trying to make her feel better.

“Ana, you’re the best friend anyone could ask for,” Tamia said, hugging her tight.

Ana rubbed her friend’s back with a smile. “I’m your ride or die. If I don’t look out for you, who will?”

Something flickered across Tamia’s expression–a shadow of sadness. “You’re the only person in this world who’s ever really been good to me.

“You can count on me forever.”

“Oh, by the way, didn’t you mention wanting to try that new buffet at 11–Garden? Let’s go!”

“Wait, you mean the new one they just launched? The $188 per person king crab buffet at H–Garden?” Tamia’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning, practically drooling.

“That’s the one.”

“Bestie, I love you!”

Tamia spent pretty much the whole day with Ana. Eventually, Cassian started making increasingly frequent appearances in the living room.

It finally dawned on Tamia what was happening–he was dropping hints that she should probably head home.

Not wanting to be a third wheel, she quickly made up an excuse and took off.