Page 7 of Cayden

You have been gone for almost three weeks now and I would demand that you get your sexy ass on the plane and come back, but you would only refuse. I have a job to do, and it has to be done.”

“I miss you too,” she told him softly. “The bed is too big, and the suite is empty. I am sleeping in one of your t-shirts. It smells like you.”

There was a pause, and she had to smile as she imagined what he was doing. She had managed to diffuse his anger; she was certain of it.

“Blair, I hate this distance between us,” he said, his voice softer now, tinged with regret. “But I promise, once this project is over, we will have time for just us. No interruptions.”

She sighed, feeling the weight of their separation lift slightly with his words. “I am holding you to that promise, Cayden. We need this time together.”

“I know,” he replied. “I will make it up to you. Candlelit dinners, long walks on the beach - everything you love.”

Blair smiled, picturing the two of them reunited, their lives less chaotic. “I’ll be waiting.”

“Till then, keep wearing my t-shirt and remember how much I love you.”

“I will,” she whispered, feeling a pang of loneliness but also a glimmer of hope. “Take care, Cayden.”

“You too, darling. Talk soon.”

As she hung up the phone, she took a deep breath, determined to stay strong. The door opened, and Glenna reappeared, her arms filled with meticulously organized letters.

“Everything alright?” Glenna asked, sensing the emotional turbulence.

Blair nodded, straightening her shoulders. “Yeah, just missing my husband. But I will manage.”

Glenna gave her a sympathetic smile. “You always do.” She placed the letters on the desk. “Ready for your luncheon?”

Blair glanced at the clock and stood up, smoothing her skirt. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

With renewed determination, she walked out of the office, ready to face the challenges ahead.

*****

If someone had told her she would be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Leesa Wellington and Kelly Takahashi, two former international models who had married powerful men, she would have laughed them out of the room.

She and Monique Romano had become fast friends because of the similarities in their backgrounds. Monique had also been a schoolteacher who had met her husband while vacationing in Italy. It had been her story that had helped Blair to adjust to her now lifestyle.

The restaurant was one that was owned by Kelly, and was elegant and understated, the food delicious and the service one of the best because Kelly demanded nothing less. She and her husband owned restaurants all over the world and somehow they were never in competition with each other.

The couple were still very much in love as they had been from the beginning. It amused and fascinated Blair to see the usually taciturn Kane gazing at his wife as if she were the only woman in the world.

The three women had become her friends as well as the long line of ‘wives’ who had somehow formed a clique.

But as much as she loved these women, she could not tell them yet, what she was doing. Their husbands as well as hers belonged to the same exclusive club and even if she swore them to secrecy, it would somehow slip that she was going through the procedure.

She had already told her dad what she was about and was feeling guilty about telling him over her husband. She did not want to think about his response when he found out what she was up to, and she refused to put it on her mind.

“There you are.” Kelly exclaimed as she escorted to their table by the Maître D.”

“I am so sorry I am late. Cayden called just as I was leaving.”

“Pierre, we will have the lobster bisque and instruct Anthony to see me as soon as I am finished here.”

“Yes Ms. Kelly.” The man bowed respectfully, before hurrying away.

Kelly turned her full attention to Blair, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "How's everything going with the new project?" She asked.

Blair managed a smile, her mind briefly flitting to the secret she was keeping. "It's coming along," she replied, keeping her tone light. "Lots of moving parts, but I think it's going to be great."

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