Chapter 45

Cassie

"Are you sure this is right?" Unsure I stared down at the mess of broken egg shells that littered the kitchen island.

Hovering at my shoulder I could feel her mutter something but I couldn't make out what she was saying.

Pursing my lips I blew out a breath. "Why is this so hard?" I groaned. I was a surgeon. I literally held people's lives in my hands on a daily basis and yet I couldn't poach an egg.

"You will get it Cassie." She patted me on the shoulder and I felt her move away. "Try again."

"I'm wasting so much food." I whined. Clenching my fists as yet another egg came out of the pan mangled. Why couldn't I do this? Why was I so inept at doing even the most mundane of tasks. "And the sauce is."

"The hollandaise is perfect." Cathy moved around the kitchen to put the coffee machine on. "I would even go so far as to say it's better than mine."

"Really?" In my shock I dropped another egg and cursed loudly.

"You need to calm down." She busied herself. "Or step back and I'll do it for you."

"No." I snapped. "I mean thank you but I would like to cook him his favourite breakfast."

Cathy paused and stared at me. A look of curiosity making her face slack. "I respect that and I love that you are trying to make an effort in this relationship because he's far too stubborn to but you were up with the sun this morning. And now you are trying to make him his favourite breakfast."

I didn't say a word and concentrated on the last egg in the basket. I knew it was confusing to her but I needed to do this. Last night and the exchange we'd had in the car an idea had started to form. I didn't quite know what Julian wanted from me but I knew what I needed from him and to get it I needed to start playing nice.

Plus we couldn't keep living in the same house and fighting the way we were. It was just making us both miserable. We couldn't get out of this situation so we had to make the best of it.

"I just want us to be happy." I muttered and then a cry of happiness screeched its way out of my lips. Quickly using the slotted spoon I took the egg from the rolling water.

"You did it."

"I did it." I nodded my head but pride was making my chest puff out. "Shall I start dishing up?"

"Yes. The young prince will be down in a few minutes. You do that and I'll tidy up. He isn't the best fan of messy counters or clutter."

Smiling my apology I began to ensemble Julian's favourite breakfast.

"Good morning Cathy-" Julian's voice stopped mid sentence and I could feel his eyes on the back of my head. "And good morning Cassie."

Glancing over my shoulder I smiled at him. "Good morning Julian. Breakfast is ready."

"You cooked-"

I slid the plate across the table to him.

"Breakfast?"

"Yes. I'll grab you a coffee why don't you start. I don't want it to get cold." Not waiting to see if he did what I asked I headed towards the coffee pot.

"Cathy." Julian said quietly. "Can you give us a few minutes please?"

"Of course alpha." She scuttled away and I scuttled towards him with a mug and the coffee pot.

"You don't have cream or sugar do you?" I asked sweetly as I began to pour.

He caught my wrist and stopped me. "What are you playing at Cassie?"

"I don't know what you are talking about?" I smiled. I knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Sit down." He barked.

"Just let me -"

The fingers around my wrist flexed stopping me on the spot. "Sit down and tell me what new game you are playing."

Reluctantly I did what he asked and he went back to eating. It looked like he was enjoying it but you could never really know with Julian.

"How is it?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Did you cook this?" He asked with his mouth full. I nodded. "It's good just not as good as Cathy's."

I couldn't help it, I bristled. He was trying to get a rise out of me again but today I wasn't going to bite.

"I'll try and do better."

The sound of his knife and fork was loud as he dropped them onto his empty plate. "Stop with the games Cassie." His eyes bored into mine and the look was so intense I automatically dropped my eyes to the table top.

"Can't I make my husband breakfast?"

"Of course but you wouldn't. So tell me or I get up and walk away."

I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth and chewed on it.

"And stop doing that to your lip. It's distracting as hell-" he muttered. "Cassie."

"I was going to ask," I trailed off.

"Then ask."

"If you would drive me to work today." I finally managed.

For several long minutes he didn't say anything but I could feel his eyes on me. "You want me to drive you into work?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Pausing, I finally lifted my eyes to him. He knew why I was asking and I could see it on his face.

"I see." Steepling his hands under his chin he continued to stare at me and say nothing and my heart sank. He wasn't going to do it. He was going to make me face Megan and the other staff at the hospital without back up.

"Don't worry about it. I'll take my car." Scraping back my chair I stood up. "Excuse me Julian. I'm going to go and get ready."

Defeated I moved around the table towards the door. I wanted a long hot bath before my shift later and maybe a little lay down just to prepare myself for work which now a days felt like a battle.

He caught me around my waist and pulled me into him so my hip was against his shoulder.

"I can drive you." Julian's voice was a soft whisper.

"Thank you Julian."

"Which car shall we take?"

I risked a glance down at his smiling face. He knew what I was asking and was agreeing to it.

"Your most expensive one."