The Art of Knowing [Completed]

27. • unknown •

[to all who have encountered special people in your life, the ones that ultimately become all that's ever needed.]

                                    •  •  •  •
"Jeez, Cass. I made you go to New York to promote your talent. Business and no pleasure. This trip wasn't so you could find yourself a man. Much less, one you didn't consult me about."

The artist couldn't help but chuckle as her lips recoiled from her coffee cup, nearly choking as she covered her lips with restricted laughter. She coughed a bit while the growing grin remained- a swift glare added with it.

"Excuse me, I never said I would get myself a man."

Jason hummed with a suggestive lift of his brows. He couldn't help but tease the young brunette relentlessly. After all, it was nothing compared to her constant remarks about him and Victoria. So he would relish in the opportunity as much as he could, all while undoubtably showing the immense happiness he felt towards her new relationship.

"I'm like your brother, though. I'm suppose to give that older brother talk, you know?"

"The 'if you hurt her, I'll hurt you' speech?" Cassandra probed with a chuckle once again. The laughter was impossible to contain as she watched Jason crack his knuckles in response, merely glancing at Ryan as he stood feet away near the front door of the shop during his phone call.

"I may look like I can't do much damage but believe me, boiling hot coffee can blind you."

"Relax, Jason. I promise this one's a keeper," she declared wholeheartedly with a coy smile.

Her chestnut locks swayed as she glanced back at Ryan, only to lock eyes with him as he talked on the phone. He continued with his dreadful explanation to his parents about the impromptu trip, which now included Shay, unlike other times. Despite the annoyance, an upward tug on his lips remained as he spoke. A simple glance towards Cassandra seemed to do the trick in terms of reminding him to smile.

"Okay, I know he's great or whatever but don't do that smitten glance across the room," Jason remarked humorously, snapping Cassandra out of her trance. "It's pretty cheesy."

"Shouldn't you be working?" the artist fired back with blushed cheeks. "I don't think anyone pays you to analyze my glances."

"Wow, you're really smitten now!" Jason teased. "Did you mistake the sugar in your coffee for salt, Ms. Amherst?" The statement was reciprocated with yet another glare from her, all while the heat wave over her face seemed to increase.

"Shut up."

"Oh, I'm sorry. You're right. Mrs. Eckhardt," the blonde murmured with a smirk. It wasn't long before he flinched back as a response to the swift lunge over the counter from the artist.

"You might not be able to give the big brother speech if I kill you first," Cassandra hissed.

Unlike anyone else, Jason Badal was the only person with the gift of teasing her to the point of irritation. It was all fun and games, she knew, and it was even more fun for Jason once he got the response he waited for. Truth be told, Cassandra did feel as if the blonde haired man was the brother she never had- teasing and arguing, all included. And that was secretly a relationship Cassandra couldn't live without. Luckily for Jason, the sudden realization of Ryan's presence inching closer to them seemed to relax the brunette as she wore a teasing grin towards him- a grin he gladly reciprocated.