Page 15 of Cade

I sucked down another pull of my iced coffee as I headed into work, only to see my boss, Diane, flustered at the main desk. The ever-present cacophony of meows and barks was like music to my ears, and the caffeine was doing a bit to lift my spirits. I didn’t feel a hundred percent better, but I did feel functional.

That had to count for something, right?

“Afternoon, Diane,” I said in my best, chipper, customer service voice. Somewhere in the distance, a cockatoo cawed loudly.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re here, Cade,” she exclaimed with exasperation as she looked at the clock. ‘And you’re early! Bless you!” she said, rounding to the front of the desk, appraising me with a look that made my blood chill.

Oh no, I know that look.

“Ricardo had to leave early this morning, with a stomach bug,” she said, batting her eyelashes at me.

No, no, no...

“Oh, that sucks,” I deadpanned, even though my mind was screaming, “back away from the boss... slowly... find something to stock... fast.”

“I need you to head down to Charlestown Street and work the booth.” She clasped her fists together, doing her best impression of a puppy dog from those awful Sarah McLachlan commercials.

“Diane, you know I don’t do events...” I started to say, but she pouted.

Of course she knew that, but the use of puppy dog eyes meant she was screwed and had no other option.

Fuck.

“Please, Cade, I don’t have anyone else. Terri’s worked six days this week and it’s her daughter’s school play today,” Diane said, laying on the whining real thick.

I hated to say no, especially when my five foot two frazzled gremlin boss looked at me like I was her damn knight in shining armor.

Maybe the fresh air will do me good...

I sighed, admitting defeat.

“Fine.” I huffed regrettably. “But I’m going to need to go home first and get my car. Dawson dropped me off,” I touted. Diane didn’t miss a beat.

“Oh! You are the best Cade! Thank you so much!” she said with so much appreciation I almost felt bad for wanting to decline. Almost.

I nodded, forcing a smile as I pulled out my phone and texted Dawson once more, telling him everything that had transpired in the ten minutes since he dropped me off.

He’s going to kill me.

Like the best wingman he was though, Dawson tapped back a reply within seconds.

Lucky for you, I didn’t make it very far. I ran into Lois at the post office and she talked my fucking head off for five minutes straight. I just walked out the door. Coming to get you.”

For the second time in an hour, Dawson had saved my ass, and so I sent another thumbs up.

It was going to be a long day.

CHAPTER 10

Weston

I sighed as the door closed with a resounding echo. This was the part I loathed the most, the thing that I couldn’t seem to change about my life.

The lonely morning when everyone walked away.

I’d been single for far too long, grown accustomed to the way of life of a bachelor, and on most days with enough alcohol and enough money, I could pretend it was all fine, that I was content with the way things were. But as I watched Cade’s delicious ass leave the hotel room, I felt the petulant void inside of me grow.

Can’t even keep them for breakfast anymore.

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