Page 98 of No Place Like Home
Amber twirled the stem between her fingers. “You probably thought you had a chance with her, didn’t you?”
Gabby elbowed her friend in the side. “Amber.”
Amber ignored her, her gaze shooting fire. “Daddy might have gotten you the grades and the popularity, but I guess he can’t get youeverythingyou want, huh?”
“Okay, that’s it. We’re leaving.” Gabby tugged at Amber’s arm. “You’re not in high school anymore.”
She shook Gabby off. “Rosalyn’s husband looks like he’s loaded too.”
Cade tightened his jaw. Ironically, Blainewasloaded—just not with his own money.
“Did I strike a nerve?TheCade Landry, finally taken down by a woman?” Satisfaction gleamed in Amber’s face. “Imagine how you made so many of us feel back then.”
Us? He narrowed his eyes. “You have no idea what you’re talking about, Amber.”
She scoffed. “Or maybe I do. Maybeyoudon’t want to admit that, for once, being a Landry isn’t enough.”
“Comeon.” Gabby shoved Amber in front of her, pushing her down the walkway. They nearly collided with a teenager on a skateboard, but Amber barely seemed to notice.
She turned, walking backward, tripping over Gabby. “The Landry name wasn’t enough to pass the bar either, was it?”
Her parting words hit their mark. How did she even know that? Cade’s eye twitched and he pressed his lips together to avoid causing a scene as Gabby propelled her friend forward, turning around to mouthI’m sorryat Cade.
He waited until they were out of sight, then leaned his head against the library booth and closed his eyes. Amber’s words ricocheted in his mind. He didn’t really care what she thought, did he? Man, but they’d hit a target.
Because being a Landrywasn’tenough. Or maybe, he wasn’t enough to be a Landry.
Was the entire town about to find out when he tried to become mayor? Would he be the laughingstock, falling short of his family name? Maybe Rosalyn and Blaine were laughing together about his attempts to save the day right now.
What a night. “Cade, come quick!”
Are you kidding me?
He opened his eyes as Miley rushed up to him, the hem of her flannel shirt hanging long against frayed shorts. “What now?”
“The porta-potties are full.”
That wasn’t an emergency. He scrubbed his hand down his cheek. “I’m sure people are used to lines, Miley. It’ll be fine.”
“No, everyone issick.” Her eyes grew wide in her flushed face and she tugged at his sleeve. “Come on.”
Okay,thatmight be an emergency. He started to follow her, matching her quick stride toward the line of food trucks. “What do you meaneveryone?”
“Everyone who ate at Backwater Bruno’s.”
Of course. How else would he expect this night to end?
twenty-three
Interior lights glowed from the front window of Bayou Beignet, a welcome haven in Rosalyn’s tumultuous night.
She parked in front of the shop, her stomach knotted as she fumbled for her keys and bag. Her phone had charged on the short drive there—enough to show Cade hadn’t tried calling or texting since he’d seen her with Blaine. Maybe he wouldn’t be there, but she wasn’t sure where else to try, and he hadn’t even read the text she’d pounded out at the last stop sign.
She’d figured he would know that kiss was not her doing. After everything they’d shared the past few weeks,surelyhe’d know.
But her quiet phone suggested otherwise.
She slid out of the car, hesitating before walking toward the fleur-de-lis painted front door. The moon shone in full force, bright enough to light the street. Shadows lurked under shop awnings and she once again was overcome with the urge to look over her shoulder. Hopefully Blaine had taken her suggestion, gone to his hotel, and would give her space until tomorrow.
