Page 22 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
She must be outside, he thought, and opened the back door. Sure enough, there she was on the porch, sitting with her book.
She looked up. “Hey, sleepyhead.”
He closed the door behind him. “Tell that to the cats. They’re half-dead in there.”
“Shocker!”
Cayden propped himself on the railing. “I fell asleep sending some emails. Katharina texted, too.”
“Your Los Angeles people missing you?”
“Something like that.” He looked at the ground. “There are some things I need to take care of back there. I’m thinking it’ll take a few weeks to get everything done.”
Lillian’s face fell. “You’re going to be gone for that long?”
“No, I don’t think so. Probably just a few days at a time. It depends on what I’m handling on which week, but I won’t be gone for most of the time. Not like last time.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Just think of it like a few small business trips until I’m home full time.”
“That sounds better.” She bit her lip. “I hate this distance thing.”
“I agree.”
“When are you heading back?”
“They want me day after tomorrow. It’s short notice, but when they’re offering to pay for the flight my schedule is completely open.” He winked. “This one won’t be a long trip, I think. I’ll definitely be back by the weekend.”
“Okay. Are you taking a lot back there?”
“Just a couple of changes of clothes. I’ll start bringing stuff back.”
“Staying in your little place by Janine’s?”
“Of course.” He chuckled. “Janine is still in denial that I’m leaving.”
“Even though she’s working with the new trainer?”
Cayden smiled. “Yeah. Can’t help but leave such a big impression on some people.”
“Your ego is showing.”
“I’m fully aware of that,” Cayden replied lightly. He straightened and looked over at his house. “I need to go straighten up my place and find a bigger bag to take back.”
“I have some bags.”
“It’s okay. I’ve got one in there somewhere. It might be in the attic. I might need to hire you to help me organize my storage.”
“I’ll help you for free under one condition.”
Cayden raised his eyebrow at her, and her mischievous expression got his blood pumping. “Stop tempting me,” he said, standing up. “We can discuss this later.”
“Preferably non-verbally,” she purred. “Walk away now, I want to look at your butt.”
“You’re insatiable!” he called, heading over to his place. “By the way, Andrew wants to see you.” He put his hands on his hips and shook his derrière exaggeratedly from side to side as he walked.
Lillian laughed. “I want to see that again later. Might try to record it, too.
“Good luck,” he called as he disappeared between the hedges.
Chapter 04
