Her Fear Of Falling Again

It was finally Saturday — the day Cassie had been anticipating for the last 24 hours.
She'd triple-checked her outfit, then changed twice more before Sebastian arrived. Her hair looked fine, her makeup was soft and safe, but her stomach was in knots. Meeting a man's family wasn't new territory, but this one felt different. More real.

Sebastian's black SUV pulled up right on time. Cassie smoothed the front of her dress and took a deep breath before stepping out of her building. Sebastian immediately got out of the driver's seat, circling the front of the car to open the passenger door for her. "You look beautiful," he said simply, his voice calm but sincere as he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Cassie smiled shyly as she climbed in, touched by the small gesture.

Once he closed the door and settled back behind the wheel, he glanced at her with that familiar half-smile that always managed to ease her nerves. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, one hand still on the steering wheel.

Before she could answer, he reached across, took her hand, and pressed a light kiss to the back of it — then placed it over his chest. His heart was beating steady under her palm. The gesture was small but disarming, and she knew he meant it — he wanted her calm.

"I'm fine, just nervous. The last time I met a boyfriend's family, I was a senior in high school," she admitted, trying to sound casual.

Sebastian's eyebrows lifted, his lips twitching. "Oh, I'm your boyfriend now?" he teased, glancing between her and the road.

Cassie froze. Crap. She felt the heat rush up her neck as she snatched her hand back. "I meant like... you know... arrrghh—" She couldn't even finish the sentence. Her brain scrambled for a save that didn't exist.

He laughed, genuinely entertained, reaching over again to pull her hands from her face. "Relax," he said softly, stealing another quick kiss on her knuckles. He didn't press the subject. For once, he was content just being in the same space with her — no chase, no games.

He'd spent months pursuing her. But now, seeing her nervous like this, showing up and trying — it felt different. She wasn't running anymore.

Lisa's house was everything Cassie imagined Sebastian's sister's home would be — warm, modern, lived-in. The kind of place that smelled faintly of garlic bread and laundry detergent. Dinner was already set when they arrived: a long oak table, fairy lights twinkling near the patio, two teenagers whispering and giggling at one end.

"Cassie can sit here with me! I have so many questions to ask her," said Ally, Sebastian's fifteen-year-old niece, as she dragged out the chair next to her.

Cassie smiled, taking the seat beside her while Sebastian sat across, flashing her a quick wink. The gesture sent a ripple of comfort through her — like a quiet you've got this.

"So, what questions do you have for me?" Cassie asked lightly, taking a sip of her wine.

"I've watched a few of your movies," Ally said, eyes wide. "I told Mum I know you when I heard your name, and she didn't believe me!"

Cassie froze mid-sip. Her pulse picked up instantly. Oh God. Please tell me they haven't seen it.

"I had no idea you were an actress, Cassie! Sebastian never told us," Lisa said, pleasantly surprised.

"Well..." Cassie began, fumbling for words. The conversation had turned too quickly, too sharply. She could feel the old anxiety creeping in — the one that reminded her she'd once been a public disaster.

"What made you get into law? Was Hollywood too much drama?" Lisa asked with an easy laugh.

"Heh, you could say that," Cassie said, forcing a smile, her fingers tightening around the stem of her glass.