Page 42 of Confusing Cade
He nodded. “Right now. Do you have any other plans?”
I shook my head.
“I can get us in at Alden’s. I have a standing reservation.”
“You do?” I didn’t know anyone who had that kind of pull at any restaurant, much less at one of the most sought-after dining spots on Worth Avenue. Everyone in Palm Beach knew about that place, even me, although I could barely afford to order a glass of house wine there. “I thought their waiting list was months-long.”
“Not for me.” He stepped backward and regarded the simple black sundress I’d thrown on before leaving my apartment to come to this meeting. “You look beautiful. We can go now if you’d like.”
“Are you sure?” I asked with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "You seemed pretty upset with me just a few minutes ago."
“Can’t think of anything else I’d rather do,” he replied with a reassuring nod. “I'm sorry about the way I acted. Please come with me and let me make it up to you.”
I smiled, heat spreading through me. “All right, then. Let’s go.”
As we walked out of the office, he took my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Ready for a night to remember?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I nodded, a sense of adventure bubbling up inside me. “Absolutely.”
With the promise to collect my car after dinner, we were soon side by side in his car, speeding across the bridge to the restaurant. The city buildings reflected off the water, creating a mesmerizing view of the estates lining Lake Trail and the yachts docked at the waterfront marina. French house music played softly on the car stereo system, adding to the alluring ambiance.I glanced over at him, feeling grateful for this moment and excited for what the night had in store.
“Everything is good at Alden’s,” he commented as we made a sharp turn. From here, we only had a few more blocks to go.
“I’ve heard the cheese soufflé is to die for,” I replied, making a reference to the dining review I remembered reading online fromThe Palm Beach Postback when the chef revamped the menu.
“It’s spectacular. We can order it if you like.”
He pulled the car to the valet stand, and an eager attendant hurried to the passenger side to open my door and help me out. I startled at the gesture, not used to being treated with such chivalry, and once I got out of the car, Cade rushed to my side and offered me his elbow.
I grinned. “You’re such a gentleman.”
“Nobody would call me that.”
“I would.”
His eyes darkened, a slow smirk tugging at his lips as he leaned forward, voice low. “That’s because you don’t know me very well, Bella.”Considering that breath-stealing kiss, I had a feeling he was right.That had not been “gentlemanly” by any stretch. My lips were still tingling, and my heart rate had only recently slowed to normal. If that was how he kissed, imagine if we did more? Cade guided me to the sidewalk and then the entrance to the restaurant. It occurred to me as we stepped across the threshold that there was no doubt things had shifted between us in the last few hours. The kiss wasn’t the only sign; there was so much more. The way he looked at me. How he seemed so spatially aware of every movement I made. And it felt like there was nobody else around even though we were in a crowd.
Alden’s was one of the best restaurants in Palm Beach for many reasons. Even before the tuxedoed hostess led us to acorner booth, I knew this was the kind of place where every aspect of the meal was meant to be remembered, even the parts that didn’t include food. And by the time we took our seats, I almost couldn’t believe that we were about to have dinner in a place like this.
“You look excited,” Cade said once our napkins were in our laps and a bottle of champagne was on order.
“I am. This restaurant is overwhelming.”
Cade regarded the rest of the crowded dining room. “The people are too. And I know half of them.”
“This island is unique. Growing up here, I didn’t really understand it. But now that my circumstances have changed, it totally makes sense.”
“Your life is probably better in some ways. Less pressure. Less... commitment. And less bullshit.”
“Oh, trust me, as you’re well aware, my life has some major bullshit.”
“Nothing we haven’t been able to fix.”
I didn’t know how his security group were able to do it, but I hadn’t received any more text messages during the week.Thank God.That invasion had shaken me, and I’d struggled with work as a result. I was no longer @marie0505, which was fine. But I had to once again find another job.
What had been strange was how much I’d...missedCade. We’d barely been friends last weekend, but he’d shown me his protective side at the fundraiser, and I hadn’t realized until then how much I’d missed having someone in my corner.
And that kiss just showed me how much I’d missed sex too, which was not a good thought at this fine-dining restaurant.
