Page 102 of Finding Forever

“Neutral is my natural state. We can’t all be messy, chaotic bundles of emotion, Fern. If that’s what you’re expecting from me then you’re shit out of luck. I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve or my fucking mood on my face.”

Fern lifted a hand to her mouth to hide her smile. Cade wasn’t as emotionless as he liked to think he was. He was currently outraged, confused, and more than a little offendedand it was all there for her to see. Clearly telegraphed on his face and in his eyes.

There was so much more to Cade. Buried beneath layers of frigid austerity and determined stoicism, was a man more complex than even he realized.

“I’d just like to point out,” she murmured, her voice dripping with syrup. “Thatyouwere the messy, chaotic bundle of emotion last night, Cade.”

“I’m not the one who wandered off into the cold English rain.”

“I didn’t wander, I’ll have you know,” she corrected tartly. “I walked. With purpose and determination.”

His eyes flickered with laughter.

“In the rain.”

“It was quite bracing. You should try it sometime.”

“Promise me you’ll never do that again, Fern,” he murmured, serious now and she pressed her lips together to prevent them from quivering. “I don’t think I’d survive if you did that to me again.”

“I was upset, not thinking clearly.”

“I know and it was my fault. For that, I’m truly sorry.” His voice was brimming with sincerity and there was no doubt that he meant it. But there was still so much unresolved after last night, and Fern wasn’t sure she could trust him not to lose his cool like that again. Not where the baby was concerned.

She nodded, the only acknowledgment of his apology that she was ready to give. She was gratified that he’d said the words, but they needed to have a real conversation about the baby.

Verysoon.

“Fine, Cade,” she acquiesced, returning to his previous point. At least this was one issue they could resolve right now. “We’ll go home. Together. I’ve got to say, I’m relieved. I may notdo well in direct sunlight, but I’m not a huge fan of all this rain and cold.”

His eyes lit with confusion at her easy assent and his broad shoulders gradually relaxed as he sat back in his chair and took a sip from the midnight dark brew in his mug.

It must have been cold because he grimaced and angled a glare down at the offending drink.

Fern fought back another grin. So much for neutral being his natural state. The man was a jumble of emotion this morning.

And Fern loved it.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

“Ihave something for you,” Cade stated one evening a week later. Fern was curled up on the sofa, exchanging texts with Iris, who was rapidly becoming a really good friend. The woman had been disappointed when Fern had left before they could meet for lunch, but they’d been sending each other hilarious—sometimes off-color—texts and voice notes every day since they’d met. Once her awe of having a bestselling author as a friend had worn off—Fern had found herself excited and grateful about the blossoming friendship. The last friend she’d had such an instant connection with had been Margot.

She peered up from her phone to find Cade looming above her, hands in his pockets as he watched her intently.

“You’re home,” she said with a surprised blink. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I gathered as much,” he said. “You were too busy sending giggling voice notes to your friend. And what exactlyisa penis fly trap?”

Fern’s eyes widened and she squeaked in horror and dropped her phone to cover her face with her hands.

“Youheardthat?”

“I did.” She felt the seat depress next to her as he sat down and she lifted her face from her hands, cheeks flaming, to meet his eyes.

“What else did you hear?”

“Enough to intrigue me. I didn’t take you for a gossip, Fern. Who are you even gossiping about? I didn’t think you and Iris had any friends or acquaintances in common.”

---