Page 19 of The Rancher's Secret Relationship

She must be in shock, Eric thought.Poor Kady.He cleared his throat and reminded himself once again of his promise to break the news gently. "I know it may seem sudden and hasty, but it simply feels right." More silence, and Eric's remorse grew.Poor Kady.

"Congratulations," Kady said finally, seeing that Eric seemed to expect a response from her.

"I hope you mean that."

Kady blinked. "Of course I do."

"Because if you don't—-"

"I just said I do," Kady protested.

"What I have to say next is going to make things harder," Eric finished heavily.

"Oh." Kady was genuinely surprised this time. "There's more?"

"It's sort of last-minute..." Eric was once again back to speaking to her carefully, like she was a five year old that could only grasp two-syllable words. "But my application to work as a teacher's assistant was recently accepted, and I'll be working directly under a professor I've greatly admired—-"

"Julian Alexeyev," she guessed, having no problem recalling the Russian professor that Eric had practically worshipped.

A sullen expression flitted over his face, and Kady couldn't help comparing it to Slade, whom she couldn't even imaginecontemplatingbeing sullen for any reason.

"No, it's not him," Eric said rather shortly.

"Oh."

"But it's just as someone as good." His tone had turned slightly defensive.

"Of course," Kady agreed quickly, never mind if she distinctly recalled him telling her thatno onecould ever be as good as Julian Alexeyev in his field. "And, um, again congratulations—-"

"I hope you mean that, too," he interrupted.

Kady nearly had to bite her tongue.Whydid he keep saying that?

"Since Professor Whitman is actually a professor here."

"Here?" And when he nodded, she just had to clarify, asking, "Do you meanmyuniversity?"

Eric nodded. "I know it might hurt, seeing me often—-" The sudden ringing of Kady's phone cut him off, and he frowned disapprovingly when Kady didn't even look at him and simply murmured an excuse as she started rummaging through her bag.

Why was her phone ringing,Kady wondered. From the moment she had entered the diner, she actually had Slade listening from the other end. It had been his non-negotiable condition, with Slade telling her coolly that it was the only way he would restrain himself from tagging along.

"You should put that in silent."Like I used to tell you, and you used to do.

Kady heard Eric's implied words loud and clear, and resentment started to simmer inside of her. How could she have fallen in love—-

RING!

She finally found her phone and quickly answered the call. "Hello?"

"Say baby, little chick."

"What?" Kady could feel her cheeks immediately burning at the command.

"Just say it," Slade purred.

And somehow, she actually did end up saying it, albeit weakly."Baby."

"Good girl."

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