Page 70 of Getting Over You

“I’m convinced they attempted it,” I say with a nod of finality. “Then realized it was a failure and decided to keep the two entities separate.”

“Should have gone the ice cream pizza route,” Cade offers. “Hot fudge sauce, cookie crust.”

“Sprinkles instead of shredded cheese.”

Cade grins. When he’s really happy, he has a smile just like EJ’s—wide, all teeth, and it screamsI’m happy to be alive. I don’t see it from Cade often, but I see it from EJ constantly.

How can someone so stormy be related to walking sunshine?

“What’s going on in your head?” Cade asks.

I look up from the pepperoni slice I’m picking at, pulled from my analysis. “Huh?”

“Did you have another issue with Belinda? You looked bothered. Or something.”

I shake my head, the heat of embarrassment climbing up, up... “Nothing like that. Just Deans Brothers science.”

A divot forms between Cade’s eyebrows. “Explain. If I think it’s a stupid answer, I’m not buying ice cream this time.”

I roll my eyes. “Your brother is so happy-go-lucky all the time. And you’re the opposite. Why?”

Cade swallows, his lips thinning. “I’m extremely happy-go-lucky, Gigi.”

I shake my head. “Not even close. I know happy people. And you aren’t one.”

He scoffs. “Now you’re not getting ice cream, princess.”

I roll my eyes yet again. If I do it any more today, I’m afraid I’ll get dizzy. “I’m serious. How is your brother so happy, and how are you so dark and broody?”

“Dark and… broody?”

“Yes. Allnothing works out for me; I’m dark and twisty and mysterious and unlovable.”

Cade’s jaw does the thing. “Can’t deny reality.”

“Your reality is so different from everyone else’s,” I tell him. “I may not agree with your avoidance of serious relationships, but you deserve to be loved.”

“Alright.” Cade waves a hand, pinches the bridge of his nose. “That’s enough, Dr. Phil.”

I frown. “I’m not trying to sound like a psychologist. I’m just saying, you’re likable.”

Cade levels his gaze at me. “Depends on who you ask.”

“I like you,” I reply, tearing my eyes from his. “I hope that counts for something.”

“You show it in weird ways,” he says.

I look at him again and his eyes glisten, a smirk playing on his lips as he picks at his pizza slice. “So do you,” I tell him, returning the levity. “Doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate it, regardless.”

Cade looks down at his pizza, smiles like it just told him his lifelong dream is coming true. “Ditto,” he mumbles.

“So,” I begin weakly, “still in the mood for ice cream?” I’m hazy from the moment, and I blink, trying to center myself once more. My blood pressure is well above healthy limits right now, my heart hammering in my chest like a jackhammer.

Cade clears his throat. “Yeah,” he says dryly, not meeting my eyes. “I think so.”

He’s up and walking away before I can protest. He’s back before I can calm myself down, plopping a dish of ice cream in front of me. “Two scoops of strawberry today,” he says as he resumes his seat across from me. He grins the too-happy EJ grin. “A special occasion.”

I smile behind my spoon. I take the utensil away from my mouth with a theatricalpop!Cade narrows his eyes at me. “To special occasions,” I say as I raise the plastic spoon into the air between us.

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