Did he just call her… dear?
Cassie barely had time to process the word before a faint knock sounded at the door, pulling her attention away from the thought spiraling in her mind. "Celeste is here."
Franklin said calmly. "We'll talk later."
"Oh, okay. I'll wait for you and we'll go pick up Tristan together," Cassie replied instinctively.
She almost told him to just pick Tristan up and go home, but the reminder came quickly. They had arrived in the same car. He had dropped her off.
"Alright," Franklin agreed, then added casually, "I won't be around much next week."
The words landed heavier than they should have. A hollow sensation settled in Cassie's chest, unexpected and unwelcome, but she masked it with a soft smile. "I understand."
Celeste entered moments later and
