Emily finally had the courage to ask the dreaded question as Cassie pushed the key into her apartment door. Cassie had been quiet the entire subway ride back to Brookline. “We really don’t need to go tonight. I feel like I pressured you to say yes.” Cassie’s lips curved into a rueful smile. “No, I really want to go out tonight. It’s just….” Cassie couldn’t finish the sentence, feeling as if she was going to burst into tears. “It’s just that he acted like he barely knew you.” Emily threw her bag onto a side chair. Turning, her eyes took in the studio apartment. It was elegant in a subtle way. The soft white silk curtains cascaded from the ceiling to the floor, which made the windows seem larger than they were. A large lounger sat in one corner of the room. Behind it was a floor-to-ceiling bookcase that not only held books but boxes strategically placed and a grouping of perfumes on a silver tray. Emily loved the display and walked closer to check it out.
