Page 30 of If The Shoe Fits

Yours,

Helene Franklin

PS: I am right.

She sent the reply before overthinking it, glad she'd managed to sound like herself.

Deciding to walk to Cassie’s, rather than waste money on a cab or wait for Carter, who likely wouldn't be done until six or so, she took a shortcut through Central Park. All right, it wasn't much of a shortcut. It added over ten minutes to her half-hour walk, but she liked the park. She kept her phone in her hand, checking if she'd received a new email way too often for her liking.

Crossing a bridge, eyes on the water, Helene smiled without any reason, other than the fact that the sun was shining in October, and they had a day without rain. Things were looking up for the rest of the day, now that she was out of the office.

"Helene?"

She turned, frowning. That couldn't be right. It couldn't be him calling her name. The world didn't work that way.

And yet, Cade Lawson was standing right there, on the other side of the bridge, just as delectable as she remembered. Part of her had thought—hoped—she’d built him up in her mind. He couldn't have been that gorgeous, right? But he was.

He was also standing next to the most beautiful brunette Helene had ever seen. Long, dark silky hair, and green eyes with endless lashes. She was tall, slim, with a perfect manicure and shoes so expensive Helene wouldn't even think to drool over them.

Cade's eyes went to the brunette, and back to Helene. Then he grinned. Oh, he knew she was green with jealousy, and the dick liked it.

"Helene, meet my sister, Richelle. Richelle, Helene."

Helene could feel her cheeks heat. Dammit. She'd been all ready to hate the stranger, Cade, and herself, imagining their time last weekend had been some sort of sordid affair. Although what man would cheat on a stunner like that?

She crossed the space between them, hand extended.

Richelle beamed and shook hers. "My, aren't you a vision? We were just talking about you, Helene."

They had been?

Cade sent his sister a look that held a warning. Richelle laughed, and moved to take the bags Cade had been carrying in his hands. "I'll find my way home, Cadence. Catch you later."

Cade rolled his eyes, but didn't stop her.

They watched the model-worthy beauty cross the bridge, turning heads with each step.

Then, Helene turned back to Cade, lifting a brow. "Cadence?"

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