White Space Season 2

up Emma from school. Cassidy had hoped for a chance to tell Jon before then. Otherwise, the news would be too last minute, and would damper their date in the city, which Jon planned to follow the dinner.
    Jon spent most of the morning on the phone, calling everyone from Chief Brady to his lawyer to his father. Judging from Jon’s conversation with Houser, someone must’ve done something. It sounded like Houser had been let go.
    “OK, see you tonight,” Jon said as he hung up.
    “Well?” she asked. “How is he? Does he need a ride?”
    “No,” Jon said. “They dropped him off here, and he left.”
    “What? Why didn’t he come inside?”
    “I don’t know,” Jon said. “He said he had work to finish. He didn’t say what, but he sounded hurried.”
    “So, why the hell did they storm in here?”
    “I don’t know,” Jon said. “He said something about it all being a big mistake.”
    “A mistake? What the fuck?”
    “I don’t know. It all sounds weird. I’m sure he’ll fill us in when he gets home.”
    “I think we should cancel tonight,” Cassidy said. “My mom’s still bitching about her back, and I’m not leaving Emma with her.”
    “No, that’s not necessary. Houser said everything was fine. He’s still planning to watch Emma.”
    “I dunno,” Cassidy said. “I mean, you just had armed officers burst down your door. I don’t think I like the idea of leaving her here.”
    “What? Are you worried about Houser?” Jon asked.
    “No, not him. Just, I don’t know, it feels like the house is less safe now.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Jon said. “They wouldn’t have let Houser go if something was wrong. Come on, it’ll be fine. I’ll talk to Father tonight and add Paladin to my litany of gripes.”
    “I don’t know,” Cassidy said. She was looking forward to their romantic night at The Hillside, and desperately needed the time away, even if she still felt awkward with her growing closeness to Jon. A night away from Hamilton, from Shipwrecked, from her mom, and, as loathe as she was to think it, Emma, was just what she needed. Just what they needed: a night away from the island, and further from Sarah’s ghosts.
    Jon sat beside Cassidy on the couch and pulled her closer. “OK, I’ve got an idea, then.”
    “OK.” Their eyes met.
    “We bring Houser and Emma with us.”
    “With us? To a romantic hotel?”
    “Well not with us, with us. I mean I’ll check them into a room, at the end of the hall or on another floor. That way Paladin couldn’t come breaking down the door even if they wanted. They have zero jurisdiction off the island.”
    “I dunno,” Cassidy said. “That’s a bit weird, don’t you think?”
    “If it means you’re less nervous, I don’t care how weird it sounds.”
    “OK,” she said. “You think you can get a room this late?”
    Jon smiled, “Come on. It’s me, The Jon Conway, movie star!”
    She smacked him playfully, “Ah, yes, I should’ve recognized you by your world renowned humility.”
    “Oh, I’m the humblest man ever,” Jon said leaning closer and kissing her. It was weird how quickly Cassidy felt familiar with his kiss, how comfortable — like a longtime lover. With most men she’d dated, especially ones with such different kissing styles from her prior lovers, it took a while for new lips to feel like an old home.
    Jon’s hands moved up her shirt, then his fingers brushed her nipples. She shivered. The good kind. Cassidy loved the electricity in his touch. Loved how they felt so right together. Loved everything about him, actually.
    I love …
    And there it was — a thought she’d dared not consider, dare not ask, bubbling up to the surface.
    Do I love him?
    She shook the thought from her mind, then from her body. It was best not to consider such things, not to think too far ahead, or plan anything like love. If life had taught her one thing, it was that God, fate, or whatever, the universe didn’t care for your plans. All the better to keep from tempting destiny by living day to day, never counting on anyone or anything.
    Jon reached down and slid his hand between her legs. She was wet, and ready, but as she closed her eyes, Cassidy felt suddenly short of breath, and anxious. She had to break the news now, even if it murdered their mood.
    She pulled herself from Jon. “I don’t want to go to dinner at your father’s tonight.”
    “What?”
    “I’m sorry. I should’ve said something sooner, but I don’t want to