Page 69 of Matchmaking the Rival

“I mean it. I’ve got to go now. I still have a call with overseas partners.”

“Good luck. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

We had an unspoken rule: we never asked for too many work details. It was easier to keep things completely separate.

As soon as the call disconnected, I savored my sweet treats. And despite my very best intentions of keeping the rest for my morning coffee tomorrow—I ended up eating all of them.

***

The next afternoon, I arrived at Jeannie and Abe’s house at six o’clock on the dot. Cade was coming directly from the airport and offered to send Cal to pick me up. I declined once again. I appreciated being chauffeured around, but that wasn't who I was, and I felt a bit guilty to have someone who worked for Jake fuss over me.

I arrived at the same time as Cade, who stepped out of a cab.

"I was sure you'd come with Cal," I said as I walked up to him.

"No, he works for Jake."

"So you only make him work overtime for me?"

"Everything for my lady.”

I was waiting for him to add a wink, but no, the man completely meant every word. Guess who was going to get all the naked pics he wanted later? Yep, I'd decided he deserved the reward.

“Is that a dress shirt? You said casual.” He also wore a suit jacket and Oxford shoes. I had my UGG boots on and my thick winter jacket.

“I had a meeting this morning. Besides, jeans are casual.”

“Is the packaging line functional again?”

“No. But we found a subcontractor willing to take us on. We’ll have a delay of two weeks, but we should be able to deliver most of the merchandise to stores.”

“I’m glad.”

“What’s that?" he asked, pointing to my bag.

"Isn't it obvious?" The wordChristmaswas written in classic gold lettering on the bag. "I brought a gift. I remember your grandmother liked to decorate the house when we were kids."

"She still does. I'm going to have to convince her to call a decoration company. Last year, she gave us a scare. She almost fell from the ladder she'd used to put garland over a bookshelf."

"I can totally help her.” I bit my lip.Oh man, Christmas is a month away. Why am I inviting myself to his grandmother's home?

"You truly love Christmas, don't you?"

"Heck yes," I said.

I realized he’d avoided answering my question in a very elegant way. My stomach lurched.Don't be silly, Meredith. Who knows what might happen by then?

We both went to the front door. I hadn’t been here too often—mostly we’d studied at my home, or the one where Cade grew up. But this place looked like I remembered it. The gorgeous porch and green siding were intact, and the gray slate roof looked idyllic.

"You think your brothers are here already?" I asked.

"A couple of them are. I saw their cars along the street."

We rang the doorbell, and the door opened almost immediately, as if someone was waiting behind it. Jeannie Whitley had changed tremendously since Cade and I were in high school. I had been too embarrassed in Cade’s office to pay too much attention to her, but now I saw her up close. Her hair was now completely white. It used to be pitch-black, though I always thought she colored it. The lines on her cheeks and neck were deeper than they were twelve years ago.

She was a beautiful woman at ninety, regardless.

"I'm so glad to see you again, Jeannie," I said.

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