Page 78 of Getting Over You

And that’s dangerous.

I’m connecting with Cade every time we sleep together, no matter how much I try to fight it off. And if he does what he’s doing to me with all of his flings, then I’m absolutely fucked. This is routine for a guy like Cade—I need to keep that in the forefront of my mind. I’m not special.

I’m fine with not being special.

As if he knows—and with his impeccable timing in the past week, I have a feeling he does—when I look up after taking down an order, Cade Deans is walking in, two coffees in hand.

“For you,” he says, holding a cup out to me. “The Cade Deans Special.”

I smile gratefully, taking the cup. “Thank you. How’d you know?”

Cade scratches the back of his neck, his gray eyes flashing. “I had a hunch. I might go stare longingly at the shop and pray until you get out of work.”

He’s been stressed about the shop ever since that night weeks ago, when he drunkenly told me about it. His jaw flexes every time it comes up, just like it does whenever he’s presented with something that annoys him or pisses him off. The thought of not getting his shop is certainly on that list.

I smile at him, touching his arm. “You’re stressed for nothing.”

“I’m not stressed.” He takes a sip from his coffee. “It would be nice if Eddy could call back soon. That’s all.”

He’s stressed. “Maybe go home,” I offer. “Rory can bring me to the apartment. You don’t need to come back for me.”

Another thing that has been a common occurrence ever since July fourth: Cade picking me up for work on the days we work the same shift and picking me up after my shift every night, regardless of whether we work together. Usually, it’s so we can get time alone in the apartment. I’ve gotten used to the lumpy guest bedroom mattress and Uber soft sheets. But Cade always takes me back home before I can get too comfortable.

And that’s fine. That’s what not-special, casual girls do. Go home without complaint.

“No,” Cade says. “I don’t mind.”

I wave a hand at him, dismissive. “Go home. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

His jaw pulses. “Fine. I’ll see you at home.”

When I’m done ogling, watching Cade saunter out of the diner, I’m met with Rory.

“And you say EJ and I are in love,” she exclaims. “Have you seen yourselves recently?”

“It’s nothing,” I say. “Really.”

“We know you guys are hooking up.”

I whip around to face her. “You do?”

“Duh. Cade doesn’t get coffee for just anyone, Gigi.” To emphasize, she motions with the coffeepot she’s holding to the to-go cup, still in my grip. “And he’s brought you coffee to work every day this week.”

I flush. “He’s just being nice.”

“EJ changes my tires and takes my car for an oil change every time it needs it,” Rory tells me. “You think he’s just being nice, too?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek in indecision, release it. She’s got a damn good point, but EJ and Cade aren’t exactly the same. “I see what you mean. But Cade and I are hooking up. That’s all. When the summer ends, we do, too.”

“And EJ does my mechanic work because he likes it,” Rory says, emotionless. “Give me a break.”

“He does it because he’s in love with you,” I say as she wanders away to greet a table. When I look at her again, she flips me off.

Chapter twenty-six

Go home, she said.I’ll be there soon.

Well, Gigi. See, the problem I’m having as of late is that I don’t feel at home unless I’m with you.

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