Page 10 of No Place Like Home
“Which I’m sure taste amazing.” His eyes danced now, despite the faux resentment in his tone.
She planted her hands on her hips, noting how he’d inched a little closer to her. Or maybe she’d moved closer to him. “Do I have to invite you over for dinner and burn something to hush you up?”
“Sounds fun.” He was definitely standing closer, holding her gaze. The sunlight bathed his profile in gold, adding to the boy-next-door looks he had now fully grown into.
Her mouth went dry. Goodness, but he made her feel like an awkward freshman again. The gangly, not-quite-grown-into-her-height nerd in awe oftheCade Landry, trying to hide her crush on Mr. Popular by shoving her nose in yet another book. Trying to impress him with yet another A or with pushing the tabletop buzzer in debate first.
Funny how she always had all the answers until he was around.
He leaned in, so close the smell of cedar drifted lazily into her senses. Someone needed to tell his cologne’s marketing team they had a winner. In fact, they could put Cade himself on the ad and sell out.
His voice dipped an octave, husky and warm. “Do you want to know a secret?”
She had a doozy of her own. But yes. Anything he wanted to tell her. “What?” The word caught on her lips, finally escaping to hover in the ever-decreasing space between them. Her skin flushed on high alert.
His face drew down to hers. She swallowed, waiting for the inevitable whisper. Cade Landry, tellinghersecrets?
His words tickled her ear. “I really did read more books than you in fifth grade.”
She recoiled as if drenched in cold water, adrenaline soaking her veins. “Cade Landry!”
He offered a cheeky grin as he backed up a step, dodging her playful slap and looking more like the schoolboy she’d easily recognize. “I’m just saying.”
“Well,I’m just sayingyou should learn to count.” Her heart raced and she straightened her shoulders. “I beat you fair and square.”
“Why you so worked up, Ace?” His teasing gaze arrested hers. “You don’t have to compete with me anymore, you know.”
“I know.” She crossed her arms, hoping it hid the way her hands still shook. “No point anyway—you already think you won everything.”
A shadow flickered across his face, dimming his smile. He paused a heartbeat. “Not everything.”
Her shaking stilled. He didn’t mean…her? No. This small-town nostalgia had gone to her head, that was all. She was home for the first time in years, and vulnerable, and?—
A door banged open. “Rosalyn, darling!” Madame Paulette’s deep, raspy voice echoed through the studio. “I thought that was you.” She swept toward Rosalyn in a tidal wave of patchouli oil and earth-toned scarves.
Rosalyn returned her hug, losing sight of Cade as her face was buried in the woman’s bottle-red hair. “Yep, it’s me, Lettie.” She fought the urge to cough against the hint of cigarette smoke hidden behind the essential oils and smiled. Some things never changed. The woman could stop a train on its tracks, but she also knew the world of dance—and show business in general.
“Back to save the day, are we?” Madame pulled free, turning her attention toward Cade. “I’ve heard about this circus fundraiser. The show must go on!” She pumped one plump fist into the air. Gold bracelets jangled down her arm.
“Something like that.” His easy smile was back now, no evidence of that passing regret. Cade had had his entire life to ask Rosalyn out and never tried—why would he now? She’d never been good enough for him. Too nerdy compared to the cheerleaders he usually ran around with, too invested in aerial to waste time trying to befriend the jock circles. Plus, Amber would’ve killed her if she’d ever tried.
“I don’t believe we’ve formerly met.” Cade extended his palm to Madame Paulette, who clamped it eagerly in both hands. “Cade Landry.”
“Oh I know who you are, honey. Charmed, I’m sure.” She shot him a wink. “I tried to get your mother to put you in my dance classes when you were younger. She humored me a little but your father never would go for it.”
Cade shot Rosalyn a wide-eyed look. She hid a smile behind her hand, then realized Cade’s were still clamped in Madame Paulette’s.
She tugged on Madame’s arm, redirecting her attention. “Since I’m going to be in the Cajun Circus, could I possibly hang a rig in here to practice? For old times’ sake.”
“I’m only as old as I feel, honey—which is roughly thirty-two these days.” She winked at Cade, who had subtly maneuvered a safe distance away. “But yes, of course.” She raised one ring-filled hand and patted Rosalyn’s cheek. “My little insurance nightmare.”
Rosalyn concealed her smile. “Thanks, Lettie.”
With a dramatic swirl of her scarf, Madame Paulette drifted toward Cade. “I let her hang her silks in here back in those days, despite not being insured for it.” Her smoky eyes widened. “Oh, I probably shouldn’t tell the mayor’s son that.” She let out a deep belly-laugh.
Cade dipped his head. “Your secret’s safe with me, ma’am.”
“Call me Lettie, Cade.” Madame jerked one thumb toward Rosalyn, missing Cade’s triumphant grin. “I always wished the dancing bug had bitten this one a little harder. That potential! Thoselegs!”
