Chapter 2
Olivia had always been uncharacteristically open with Casey. Throughout the friendship that developed out of their working relationship, she’d always found herself telling Casey things she’d never even told her closest lovers or oldest friends, all the while ignoring any warning bells from her subconscious.
When she put in a good word for Casey with her building’s board, a warning went off in a corner of her mind insisting that she might regret opening up yet another line of familiarity with the redhead. She ignored it yet again. And in the ensuing weeks, as she witnessed Casey relax right before her eyes, she couldn’t help being happy about it. She could see the stress leave the set of her shoulders, and even see her begin to smile again.
This new proximity brought a whole other form of awareness of the woman. Before, Casey was intrinsically tied to the job. So, while she had considered her a friend, and even confidante, there was an invisible line not to be crossed.
Now though, the woman Olivia kept running into wasn’t her ADA anymore. She was just Casey. And the pull that she always put off on a side effect of friendship was now free of any professional restraints.
Without even realizing it, she had whole new inventory of information about the woman.
Casey was a runner. Every morning she ran up to the building checking her watch, frowning or beaming at her times, all teeth and dimples, flushed cheeks and tight running gear. Her quick, self-depreciating wit now came with a pulse quickening lack of personal space. The slight swagger, that she didn’t even seem to be aware of, would show up when she was confident or happy. She was chivalrous in an everyday manner; she always shouldered her bike up the stairs rather than bring it into the elevator, she held open doors and offer to carry bags, and she would carry up Olivia’s laundry or mail for her since Olivia’s hands were often full with a toddler. She kneeled to get at eye level with Noah, whether she was in a suit or jeans, and had the same look of accomplishment when she got a high five from him as when she was satisfied with her running times. ‘Just Casey’ had an easy and affectionate nature. Raising up the boy above her head and spinning him until he laughed. Ruffling his hair. Bumping her shoulder, her hip, against Olivia’s.
And now here was Casey, the very much charming and attractive friend-slash-neighbor, who was watching her child to help her out during the holiday season for no other reason than to be nice.