Page 5 of No Place Like Home
Cade nodded. “I saw you were on a European tour earlier this year.”
And Saudi Arabia. She fought the shudder that crept up her back, fought the urge to look over her shoulder despite the fact the only person behind her was a sixty-something-year-old woman playing solitaire.
Definitely not a mob boss.
“But hey, you’re here now.” Cade slid his own hands into his pockets, mirroring her. “You have no idea how relieved I am.”
He might not be as relieved if he realized she hadn’t committed to the circus. She was just here to get info. Get her mother off her back. Get…something. “About that. I’m not in town for too long.”
“Long enough for the circus, hopefully. Name your terms.” He held up both hands, that same charismatic smile tugging his lips. “If they’re not within our budget, I’ll make it happen.”
“It’s not about the money.” Well, that was a partial lie. The fact she desperately needed money in the first place was still foreign. Rosalyn hesitated. So much she could tell him, and so much she shouldn’t. She took the easy way out again and extended her leg. “I’m still on light duty.”
His gaze dropped to her knee, to the flesh tone bandage that he clearly hadn’t noticed before that moment. “Oh. Are you okay?”
She nodded. “It’s healing. I just haven’t performed since I fell.”
“Youfell?” His eyes bugged from his head, his mouth open. “From your…fabric thingies?”
“Silks.” She pressed her fingers to her lips to hide her laugh but was too late.
“Sorry. I’m a Muggle.” He matched her grin, and more of the tension she’d worn for the last several months lifted off her weary shoulders. “You’ll have to teach me the terminology.”
Therewas that charm that had landed him two prom dates. Though she hadn’t been either of them. “I might.” The words left her lips and hovered between them, seemingly surprising him as much as her.
“I mean, at this point, you have to stay for a while, right?” Cade rocked back on his heels. “Teach me about this aerial thing. It’s not often you know something I don’t, Ace.”
His old nickname for her lit a spark in her chest she hadn’t felt in ages. “Ace. Nowthat’sbeen a while. When did you first call me that?”
He looked up at the tiled ceiling, lips twisted. “Probably fifth grade, when I read more books than you for that class Reading Railroad Train.”
“You most certainly did not.” She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Months. Her knee didn’t even throb. “I read thirty-one.”
He nodded seriously. “I read thirty-two.”
“Liar!” It was hard to pretend to be mad when you were smiling.
He harrumphed, eyes sparkling. “Prove it.”
“Find me a yearbook.”
Pearl’s stapler smacked against a stack of paper. “He’s got one in his office.” She pointed down the hall.
“Now Pearl, that is not helpful.” Cade took Rosalyn’s elbow, steered her away from the receptionist and closer to a potted fern. “What do you say, Ace? Want to go talk terms?” He tilted his head. “Notin my office, near the yearbook that absolutely doesn’t prove anything?”
Rosalyn hesitated, his touch warm on her bare arm.Ding. The elevator doors finally slid open, beckoning her back to her car. To her childhood home.
To the distressing memories of the past few months and the new urge to watch her back, even tucked away in Magnolia Bay. Could she risk the circus? Though honestly, how much media attention could it really get nationwide? It should be safe in that regard.
Not in others. Was she ready to try again?
“We could start with a post-hurricane tour of town. Show you why we’re doing the circus in the first place.” Cade let go, took a short step back—clearly giving her space to make the decision.
Huh. That was new. High school Cade barreled ahead, expecting whatever he wanted to be handed to him if he couldn’t nab it for himself.
She sort of wanted to know a little more about this Cade.
“I’ll throw in a latte.” He gestured toward her with one finger. “Or a vegan matcha almond foam tea, or whatever it is you probably drink now.”
