the weight.
“Thanks,” Luke replied, wheezing. Chase helped him lift the table in place, straining at the effort.
“Jesus, this thing weighs a ton.”
“Original railroad steel,” Luke replied, wiping his brow. “Wes wanted a statement piece for the back patio.”
“You mean, Cassie wanted it,” Chase said with a grin.
Luke chuckled. “No doubt. Want to come help unload it on the other end?”
“Sure, I have some time.”
Chase climbed in the truck, and they drove the short distance out of town. Their buddy Wes had recently finished restoration of a grand estate by the ocean, and Cassie had just moved in. “I still can’t believe she’s all settled down,” Chase said, as they passed through the wrought iron gates, and drove the winding driveway towards the house.
“Tell me about it,” Luke agreed. “We had dinner with them the other night, and I thought it was a practical joke, seeing Cassie serving salad, and helping clean up like a perfect hostess.”
“What? She did the dishes?” Chase asked in disbelief.
“I mean, she loaded the dishwasher,” Luke admitted with a grin, “But still… Baby sister’s all grown up.”
Chase wasn’t so sure about that. When they pulled up outside the house, the front door was wide open, and he could hear Cassie’s shrieks from inside.
“Archie! Archie, put that down!”
The dog came tearing out front, something pink and plastic clutched between his jaws. A moment later, Cassie followed, barefoot and dressed in cut-offs and a cropped tank. “Archie!” she yelled frantically, as he dropped his toy, and set upon Luke and Chase instead.
“Woah, boy!” Chase laughed, as Archie nearly sent him flying with enthusiastic licks and barking. “When did he get so big?”
“I know, he’s having a growth spurt,” Cassie sighed. “Which makes it even harder to carry him around.”
Chase fished the toy from where the dog had left it. Then he stopped. It was long and slim, and—“Do I even want to know?” he asked Cassie, who rolled her eyes.
“It’s a wireless speaker!” she said, snatching it away.
“What you and Wes do in the privacy of your bedroom—“ he began teasing, before Cassie thumped his arm.
“Gross! You stay out of our bedroom.”
“Gladly.” Chase agreed. “Now, where do you want the world’s heaviest coffee table?”
Cassie turned to the truck, her eyes lighting up. “Finally! I’ve been waiting for this forever!”
“That’s it?” Luke folded his arms. “No, ‘Thanks for moving your schedule around, Luke.’? And working over-time, and putting up with all your ‘helpful’ suggestions’—”
“OK, OK.” Cassie laughed, giving him a hug. “You are an artist, and a genius. I appreciate every late night and grueling sacrifice that it took to bring my amazing design—”
“Whose design?” Luke interrupted.
“—Our amazing design to life,” Cassie finished. “There, happy now?”
“Ecstatic,” Luke cracked, dead-pan. “Now where’s your better half? We could use some help moving it inside.”
“He’s on a very important call,” Cassie replied. “But I’m sure two big, strong men like you can manage?”
She fluttered her eyelashes. Chase snorted. “Nice try.”
In the end, it took all three of them to carry it around the house, out to the backyard by the patio… and then by back doors… and finally, by the pool. “No, I think it should go little to the left,” Cassie said, assessing the latest position.
“Feel free,” Luke replied, sinking into one of the loungers, and kicking off his boots. “Move it anywhere you like. But I’m done.”
Cassie paused. “Or maybe it’s great just where it is.”
“Atta girl.”
Chase took a seat, too, and gave a yawn. His brother saw, and gave a smirk. “It wasn’t that heavy,” Luke said, looking amused.
Chase shook his head. “Long day,” he replied, and immediately regretted it.
“With who?” Cassie demanded, her eyebrows shooting up.
“No one special,” he lied. “Now, how about a cold drink for your poor, weary brothers? Since we’ve been busting our asses on your decorating.”
Cassie gave him a look like she knew exactly what he was doing, changing the subject, but she didn’t argue. “You’re perfectly capable of fetching your own beers,” she told him instead. “But since I was heading inside anyway, I might just help you out. If you ask nicely.”
“Thanks, Cassie!”
“Thank you, Cas,” he and Luke chorused obediently.
Work done, his brother sprawled back in the sun, and Chase tried to do the same, but every time he let his mind wander, it drifted back to one thing.
Letitia.
He could picture her now, diving into the ocean and slicing effortlessly through the water. Every motion had been smooth and fluid; every stroke as precise and thoughtful as she was… In another universe,