Page 49 of The Rancher's Secret Relationship

But she went on as if his words were the very opposite of wisdom. "It's the fact that you've read too many books on finance and coffee but not enoughromance."

"For fuck's sake—-"

"Let me just ask you two questions," Anah offered calmly, "and if answering them doesn't make you realize itwaslove between the two of you, I'll happily order humble pie at your cafe for the entire week."

Slade wanted to tell her this whole fucking thing was stupid and pointless, but considering how much of a notorious cheapskate Anah was, the billionaire knew she wasn't just saying those words for nothing.

"If you could make up the rules that would determine what true love was, what would be the one non-negotiable thing you'd demand from all couples?"

Time.

You had to know each other for a long time.

But he remembered how Ethan and Guilia had been dating for a decade, and he realized that time wasn't enough.

So what was left?

He kept waiting for thoughts of Kady to come into his mind, but instead he found himself thinking of someone else.

Penny.

Slade inhaled sharply, but the memories kept coming.

Penny crying...hurting...begging...

Every memory of her was a burden, and even the good times they shared left a bitter taste on his tongue.

And that was when he heard himself say, "They have to make each other happy. Even with all the ups and downs, just the sight of the other person would be enough. You wouldn't even have to say you weren't alright, wouldn't have to teach the other person how to make you smile—-"

A hazy image started forming in his mind.

"Just being there is enough."

And he remembered Kady hugging him at the university parking lot,justhugging him.

Anah tried not to cry as she saw the truth slowly dawn on the billionaire's face. "I think you already know what my next question is," she said shakily, "but I'll ask it anyway."

Slade's handsome gaze was ashen now.

"The person who's all those things...you've met her already, haven't you?"

You Were Meant For Me

"You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life. " ~ Steve Jobs

KADY HEARD THE KNOCKon the door and forced herself to stir, pushing herself up to a sitting position on the couch. "That must be room service."

"Just stay there," Catherine said. "I'll get it."

"I should get dumped more often," Kady managed to joke, "if it means having you spoil me rotten."

Catherine's nose went up in the air. "I won't even dignify that with an answer." Horrible child, to suggest that she was only nice in such occasions! Didn't Kady know such truths were never to be spoken out loud?

After taking a couple of twenty-dollar bills from her purse, she made her way to the door, thinking once again how it was just like her daughter to base her food order on some cultish thing likeshufflemancy,which apparently was a form of musical divination that Kady's other boss had unconsciously practiced.

And since earlier, they had heard the music video of Jewel'sYou Were Meant For Meplaying on the TV, Kady had asked for eggs, pancakes, and maple syrup.

Catherine's lips pursed disapprovingly.Whoever heard of eating breakfast at night?

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