Page 24 of Cade

Weston

I could not stop thinking about that damn fundraiser. Or more accurately, the adorable puppy-dog-eyed vet technician who caused my blood to rush just from his proximity.

I ran a hand over my face, sighing before taking a long drink of my Oban, remembering Cade’s sweet, somehow endearing flirtations.

Oban-Wan Kenobi is pretty catchy.

Though I had to admit, the fundraiser was far from my element. When I’d agreed to show up, play the part my parents wished, I’d thought I would have endless time to waltz around, smile and kick back for a change.

But it seemed that was the furthest thing from my parent’s agenda. Once my mother had discovered me, again, she’d sunk her perfectly manicured claws into my arm for the remainder of the event, buffalo fries be damned.

Time had droned on as I was shuffled from associate to associate, and before I knew it, I was both hungry and disappointed.

When I’d finally been dismissed from my duties, the Jasper Springs Pet Hospital booth was gone, as was the firefighter’s booth.

I’d been too late, and I silently cursed my parents for once again throwing a monkey wrench in my plans.

Into my entire life, if we’re counting.

I’d thought perhaps maybe I just needed to get out of the damned sleepy little town. Maybe getting away from Jasper Springs would dispel the thoughts of Cade from my mind. Outside of his radius, maybe I could think straight, and so I took off to the famed Sedona, without a second thought.

The restaurant itself lay between the city and Jasper Springs and somehow blended sweet, southern home cooking and upscale gastropub meets French cuisine; a combination that should not have worked at all, but together was absolutely magical.

But not even a full-bodied Scotch and filet could fill the void I felt in my heart, my soul.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Just as I aimed to sip the remains of my second glass, my phone chirped a familiar chime.

Jamie.

“Hello?” I answered, leaning back in my chair, waiting for the onslaught that I knew was about to come.

Jamie did not disappoint as she launched off into a tirade about one of our former coworkers, who happened to be the on again, off again man in her life.

“I told you, he is an asshole, darling. I tried to warn you,” I said. At this point, I felt like a broken record sometimes.

“Save it, Wes. We both know we prefer our men emotionally damaged and unavailable.”

Ah, so it’s off again.

“I do not prefer emotionally damaged men or unavailable men. I just seem to attract them like a damn magnet. It’s not my fault I am who I am.”

Jamie hummed on the other end of the phone. “ And who are you lusting after right now? Some small town hottie who’s ‘never done this before’.” She snickered.

Naturally, I guffawed at her insinuations.

One time, Jamie... one time.

“I’ll have you know, Cade is not—”

“So there is someone,” Jamie sing-songed.

Damn it.

Weston you are smarter than this. You walked right into that!

I rolled my eyes, chastising myself for falling into Jamie’s trap. I stared at the ornate venetian glass chandelier, contemplating lying or coming clean to my former coworker slash closest thing I had to a best friend.

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