No Strings Attached

Chapter 52

lan understood Casey’s meaning, and with a respectful dip of his head, he said, “Mr. Casey, every word we spoke was the truth. Take care of yourself. There’s a whole lot more for you to do out there.”

Casey gazed into his eyes and gave a faint nod of acknowledgment.

A week later, Casey was discharged from the hospital.

To celebrate her father’s recovery and to dispel the shadow of his recent imprisonment, Clara threw a welcome home party at their place, inviting only their closest friends.

Sasha was the life of the party, going so far as to bring a fire pit for Casey to step over–a quirky symbol of luck.

Chase, who was standing right behind her, nearly burst out laughing.

With a huff, Sasha delivered a playful kick to Chase’s shin before dashing back to Casey, taking his arm tenderly, “Mr. Casey, welcome home. Are you pleased with our little shindig?”

around at the carefully decorated home, and patted Sasha’s hand with a smile,

these past few

earned it. Clara, hang out with them for a bit, will you? I’m going upstairs to freshen up

with a smile, “Sure thing, I’ll have the

lan’s been practically living at the hospital, like a model boyfriend. How are

smile was light, “Not a chance. Once the three months are up and my Dad’s in the clear,

at Clara’s gaunt, face, hesitating before voicing her concern, “Have you considered why lan’s being so accommodating this time? He couldn’t possibly be thinking of

as long as I’m by his side,

either. Remember when you had that