Page 97 of Getting Over You

“So, what? You plan on putting on a little apron and doting by the stove until Cade gets back?” EJ asks as we walk up to the apartment an hour later.

“No,” I reply, bitter. “I’m going to do laundry, maybe vacuum, andthenstart dinner. There will be leftovers in the fridge for you—I bought Tupperware.”

“Gigi—”

“I’m helping, EJ,” I say, smiling gently. “That’s all.”

A few hours later, when Cade’s bed has fresh sheets, the laundry is tumbling in the dryer, and the kitchen is as clean as it will ever be, Cade and Rory walk in.

“I’m smoking a bowl in the window,” Rory announces, pushing past Cade. “It was a fucking day, let me tell you.”

I frown. “That bad?”

“Worse!” Rory exclaims, then EJ’s bedroom door slams.

I wince at the sound, turning my attention to Cade. “Belinda wasn’t the most pleasant,” he says. “She wasn’t happy about being responsible for tables.”

“She should have considered that when she stuck her tongue down your—”

Cade holds up a hand, winces. “I know. I’m just telling you.”

I blow out a breath. “I can’t believe she’s making this everyone else’s issue.” Cade gives me a look. “Well, I can. But oh my god. To actually do it.”

“I know,” Cade agrees. “Mega bitch.”

“Mega.”

Cade smirks. “The good news,” he hums, putting his hands in his pockets and rocking on his heels, “is that me and Ms. Rory Rose got most of your stuff.”

My lips part. “No way. You didn’t have to do that.”

Cade nods. “It’s all in the truck. Most of it. Everything except for the furniture. I figured leaving unannounced was better than potentially being charged with theft just to prove a point.”

I laugh. “Definitely.”

“You want to help unload? There might be a surprise.”

My eyes light up, a smile spreading as my heart ignites. “Ilove—I love surprises.” No way did my subconscious almost spit out I love you.

I’m saving that for Cade’s birthday.

“I know,” Cade says cheekily. “That’s why I did it. Come on.”

I finish up the spaghetti, then follow Cade to the parking lot.

“Ice cream and coffee,” he says as he opens the driver’s side door. “I figured since we won’t be working together anymore, I’d start bringing our places home to you.”

I look at Cade, studying his face as he smiles at me, holding coffee and ice cream. He may as well be holding a dozen roses and an engagement ring, because that’s what this moment feels like.

Knowing that he feels the same as me, knowing that his heart pulls at the thought of me the same way mine does every time I think of him, every time I’ve considered the moment when I’m certain Cade feels the same way.

“Thank you,” I say softly, then close the space between us and hug him as close as the coffee and ice cream will allow.

Chapter thirty-two

It’s less than a week until my birthday. I’m confident that Gigi heeded my advice and has opted out of any celebrations. Up until now, anyway. She’s the kind of girl that would celebrate every day of a guy’s birth week. Birth month, maybe, if he let her. I can’t be sure I’m safe simply because it’s days before my birthday and no bombs have gone off.

I’m beginning to think dealing with Gigi is a lot of work, never mind the fact that I have to be vigilant to everything she does.

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