Page 3 of The Square Up

“Tell you what,” I hand the folder to her. “Let me be your date for your family reunion.”

“What?” she blinks.

“In fact, let’s kick it up a notch, shall we? Let’s go to your family reunion as an engaged couple. I won’t let anyone laugh at you.”

“You can’t do that…” she shakes her head. You don’t know my family. For crying out loud, they’ll take pictures of us and sell them to the media.”

“Let ‘em,” I sit across from her. “Didn’t you say I need to start working on cleaning up my image?”

“Yes, but…”

“No, buts. As long as you’ll have me, Abigail Roberts, I would like to be your fiancé. What d’ya say? Do you think you can take being associated with the likes of me?”

“Yes, but…I can’t let you do this, Kade. This is crazy. Even for you.”

“Please, I want to do this. No one should ever laugh at you, Abby, or make you cry.” I wipe away a stray tear. “You’ve done a lot for me. Let me do this for you.”

She holds her head up high. “All right,” she whispers. “Let’s do it.”

“Good,” I grin. “You won’t regret it.”

The only question is, will I?

Chapter Two

Abigail

I roll over, crack an eye open, and can’t believe I spent the night on Kade’s couch. I don’t know what came over me.

I sit up and see Kade Nash standing in the middle of his tricked-out kitchen, flipping bacon with a pair of silver tongs. It’s a sight to behold. I’ve never seen him as anything other than a client. However, now that we’re going to be an “item,” I slowly allow my eyes to roam over his six-foot-seven frame. He has broad shoulders that are lean and full of power. His legs are strong and sturdy, harnessing intense strength. He’s a force to be reckoned with on the court. And by his looks, I am one thousand percent certain the man is a powerhouse in bed.

Disturbed by my thoughts, I yank the blanket over my head. What has gotten into me? I’ve been dumped before. It’s not like it’s the first time. Not only that, I’ve been showing up to the Roberts’ Annual Family Reunion solo for as long as I can remember. What makes this year different?

I sigh as the answer to my question slaps me across the face.

I turned forty a month ago.

I’ve never been married or engaged, and I've only had two relationships that lasted six months.

I am an extremely successful professionally. I am rich. I am self-reliant. And yet I can’t hold a man to save my soul.

Maybe I’m broken.

I flip onto my back, releasing a heavy sigh.

“Abby, you’re awake,” Kade says, holding up a mug. Are you a coffee or tea person?”

“Coffee if you have it.”

“I have Jamaican Blue, Hawaiian Kona, and Valhalla Java. Which do you prefer?”

I sit up, pulling my hair back. “Coffee is coffee. You pick. And by the way, no one calls me Abby.”

“Your fiancé does,” he winks.

“About that,” I sigh. “I appreciate you for being so kind. But I’ll go to the reunion alone just like I do every year and endure the jokes and laughter. I’m used to it.”

“Not gonna happen,” Kade strides into the living room with a cup of steaming coffee. “Here, I added some fat-free vanilla creamer.”

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