Page 89 of You're All I Need

“Adrienne? Are you okay?”

Caden.

“Adrienne?”

I look through the peephole to confirm it’s Caden, even though I’d know his voice anywhere.

“Can I come in?”

I stare at him through the little hole in the door. He doesn’t look intoxicated, which, honestly, was my first thought. He’s staring down at his feet, but there’s something so vulnerable about him at this moment. It’s in the way his shoulders sag and he waits patiently to see if I’ll open up or not.

Reaching for the deadbolt, it makes a loud click as I release the lock. When the knob is also unlocked, I slowly give it a twist and pull open the door. My eyes meet his, and I’m also taken aback by what I see. He looks…miserable.

“Hey,” he says quietly, noting I haven’t opened the door very wide. In fact, I use it as a protective shield between myselfand whatever hurtful words he’s going to hurl at me. “I know it’s late, but…” He runs his hands through his hair, looking around before meeting my gaze head-on once more. “Can I come in for a minute? I promise I won’t stay long. I just, well, I have something to say. And to give you.” He swallows hard. “If you want me to go, I will.”

It's the first time I see the bag in his hand. I almost laugh at the Happy Birthday printed on the side in bright, bold colors, especially since my birthday isn’t until September. But I can’t seem to find the strength to laugh. Or even smile.

“Please, Adrienne?”

I take in his slightly disheveled appearance once more. He’s no longer in his work clothes and he’s clearly showered, but his hair is wild, and his clothes are wrinkled. Did he pick them up from his closet floor before putting them on? He’s also wearing a pair of flip-flops, which I’ve never seen him wear before, and even though feet are, well, weird, he looks so casual. So sexy.

Dammit.

I find myself stepping back, letting him enter my space. I told myself he was never allowed here again, not after earlier when he made those horrible accusations, yet here we are. I can tell myself it’s simply because I want to hear what he has to say before I kick him out again, but I don’t know.

My heartwantshim here.

I cross my arms over my chest, as if to create a stronger barrier to my heart.

“Sorry for coming over so late. Did I wake you?” he asks, standing in the middle of the room, leaving plenty of space between us.

“Does it matter? If I wasn’t awake, I would be now, right?”

He gives me a sheepish grin. “Yeah, I guess. Still, I’m sorry.”

When he doesn’t say anymore, I ask, “What do you want, Caden?”

“I, uh, well…” He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “I have so much to say, but now, I don’t know where to start.”

I exhale. “It’s late. I need to get to sleep.”

Lies. There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep now, especially after he showed up after midnight out of the blue.

“I know,” he replies, his gaze dropping to my abdomen. It makes my skin feel warm and tingly, as if his eyes are somehow physically touching me.

“Okay, I’m going to start by saying I’m sorry. I never, and I do mean never, wanted to hurt you.”

“Why did you?” I ask in a small voice that doesn’t sound like mine.

He holds my eyes as he confesses, “I was scared.”

“Of?”

“My feelings for you.”

I glance around, trying to wrap my head around what he’s saying. “What are your feelings for me?”

“I’m in love with you.” His words are so simple, so pointed, so full of emotion, I almost take a step back.

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