Page 26 of Cade

Oh...

I closed my eyes as understanding befell me. I silently ran a hand over my face. This did not bode well for me.

I’d fucked up.

“Food and sex are not mutually exclusive...” I sighed defensively.

“You like him, don’t you?” she said calmly.

How was it she always knew exactly what I didn’t want to hear?

Her words made me feel strange. Vulnerable even.

Or maybe it’s just the drinks I’ve had...

“I like what I know... of him.” It was the truth. I didn’t know him, not really. Not like I knew his favorite color or his shoe size, or who his parents were... but I knew he preferred Sam Adams, had an apparent love of Star Wars, and that he had a good heart. The man took care of animals, for God’s sake. You can’t love animals and be an asshole, it’s just science.

“Beyond the spicy stuff?” Jamie asked hesitantly.

“He works for a veterinary hospital, and he’s terrible at karaoke,” I practically whispered in defeat.

Lord, take me now.

“Well, that doesn’t sound like your type at all,” she teased. Before I could speak, she cut in once more.

“If you really like this guy Weston, try... getting to know him. I know this might come as a shock to you, but some of us like it when a guy puts in some effort and doesn’t just treat us like we’re something that can be bought.”

Effort.

I had certainly put in effort. I’d bought him a drink, offered to buy him lunch—which I’d come up short on thanks to my parents meddling as usual—and suddenly the image Cade must have formed of me hit me square in the head like a brick as Jamie’s words settled in the air.

Perhaps, my current efforts had not been the brightest.

“Right. I could say the same to you, Jamie,” I rebutted softly.

“I got to go, Wes. Dante is waiting for me inside,” she said quietly before hanging up.

Just as we finished our call, the waiter stopped by with the check. The man smiled slyly at me, sliding the leather book toward me with a wink.

It was harrowing as I watched the man leave slowly, noticing the way in which he moved like a gazelle.

On any other given day, I would have let my gaze linger, but my conversation with Jamie had left me feeling a bit sour.

When I opened the book to glance at my check, I’d noticed the phone number scrawled at the bottom, and my heart sank.

Because for the first time in my too long single life, I felt different.

I ran my fingers over the ink, noting a bit smudged on my fingertips. It was fresh.

It would have been far too easy to leave a large tip, to catch this shimmering fish that was desperate to be hooked. It would have been no effort at all.

Make an effort.

Jamie’s voice reverberated in my head.

I decided at that moment to leave a reasonable tip, sign the check, and get the hell out of Sedona.

What I wanted wasn’t here, no.

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