Page 25 of Caden's Situationship

CORDELIA

“That dress will look socute on you,” Katrina said the moment we walked into our fifth clothing store today. We had Houston drop us off at the mall while the guys got something to eat, and I had to say, I was the most relaxed I’d felt all week.

Shopping was the best therapy, and in my case, I not only needed some appropriate clothes for the ranch, but I also wanted to show off my figure more to Caden and my current wardrobe didn’t do that.

In choosing my new clothing, I kept my girly floral and lace style, but I traded out some of the poufy dresses for skirts, maxis, and jeans amongst other things. The jeans almost hadn’t made it, but I wasn’t trying to scratch my legs on anymore hay.

“That’s very country chic,” she said, when I picked up a floral jumper. “You should try it on.”

I laughed because Katrina had been calling me country chic since we arrived. And I had to admit, I liked the new name for my wardrobe. After I’d gathered a considerable amount of clothing, and Katrina picked out a few things to try on as well, we went to the dressing room.

Although, back home I didn’t get to shop with girlfriends much, I was really enjoying my time with Katrina. Especially when it gave me a chance to get the inside scoop on Caden Madden.

“So how long have you known Caden?” I asked as casually as possible.

“Since his family moved to Cranberry Heights,” she said over her dressing room wall. “I guess you could say I’ve always just been one of the guys.”

“You all seem really close,” I told her, concluding that I was definitely purchasing the rose-colored romper I just tried on. “Is Caden dating anyone right now?” My heart was beating out of my chest when I asked her that because if she said yes, I would have to wonder why he passionately kissed me on his couch the night before. Although, I’m not sure how much it mattered since I wouldn’t be around long enough for anything serious anyway.

As a matter of fact, I was the last person who should even be entertaining something temporary. It wasn’t in my DNA to think about such things. At least, I’d been raised to believe it was wrong to think such things.

“He’s not dating anyone serious,” she confirmed, interrupting my thoughts. “I honestly haven’t even seen Caden with a woman he’s shown genuine interest in for so long. Women in our hometown have all tried setting him up with their daughters or nieces, but Caden friendzones them really quickly. And those who have known him for years don’t even try anymore.”

“Good to know,” I told her, not even trying to hide my interest. I honestly wasn’t even sure who this bold new me was.

After we finished changing, checked out of the store, and made our way to our next stop, I decided to see if I could get some more info out of Katrina. “So exactly where are we going later? You convinced me to buy an outfit for tonight, but you were all being pretty tight-lipped in the car.”

“I promised Caden I wouldn’t tell you where we were going until absolutely necessary,” she said. “The guys are probably on their way now, and I told them we would take an Uber to the hotel and head to the location.”

“They are on their way where? Where are we going?”

She wiggled her eyebrows. “You’ll see. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. Sometimes, there’s a lot more to someone than we originally think. And even though I know you care for Caden on some level, he’s a pretty private person, so you being here speaks wonders.”

“I understand. He may make me as confused as a bagel in a bucket of grits. However, I’ve always felt like there was more to Caden than what everyone else saw. He’s a good man, but there’s another side to him that I can’t quite put my finger on.”

I glanced at Katrina, a smirk on her face when she let me know, “I’m a little shocked that you’re being so open about the fact that you like him.”

“I’m surprised at myself, too,” I admitted. “Back home, I’m never this bold. And even though you didn’t go to college with, you probably recall that I wasn’t daring then either.”

“Oh I know,” Katrina said. “Do you remember when you had me reading some journal you had on the proper ways of a southern belle?”

My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh my goodness, I forgot about that! I used to take that journal with me everywhere. Would you believe I turned that journal into a complete handbook?”

She nodded. “Of course I can believe it. You lived by that code, and in a way, a part of you still seems to follow it. But I also remember when I tried to ask you if you had a thing for Caden, you’d always avoid the question or spit some nonsense about a true lady never disposes the likeness in her heart if inappropriate or unsuitable.” She said the last part with an uppity accent I didn’t find funny. “Yet, here you are practically admitting you have a thing for Caden.”

“If I recall, you also used to have a thing for someone,” I told her. “I believe his name begins with an H and he’s one of your best friends?”

“I never had a thing for Houston when y’all where in college,” she claimed. “You just always assumed I did since I told you I had a crush on him when we were younger.”

I listened as she continued to tell me all the reasons she didn’t like Houston like that. After a couple minutes, I was sure she was trying to convince herself and not me. “Well, you did admit one day that you had a crush on a friend. Was it Caden then?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Linc?” I asked.

She gagged. “Never.”

“Ahh.” I snapped my fingers. “So I got the wrong brother. It’s Wade, right? He’s the one you think about.”

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