Page 105 of Matchmaking the Rival

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Cade

Ilooked for Mereditheverywhere, but as the event ended, I still couldn't find her. I'd kept an eye on Sonya's table, but Meredith had left a while ago and hadn't returned.

"I'll take you all out to dinner next week," I promised my team. I didn’t schedule anything for the evening because I didn't want to jinx the odds. They deserved the best for all the effort they put in this, but tonight I wanted to celebrate with my family, and with Meredith.

"Give your grandparents all our best," Rupert said.

"I will."

Instead of heading to the exit, though, I went to Sonya. She put her bag on her shoulder, smiling at me.

"Cade, congratulations. I’m so happy for you. Don't tell Alfred that.”

“Don't worry, he and I are done talking. Where is Meredith?"

“She left a while ago. Alfred cornered us again. I have to put up with him because I still want his money, but Meredith doesn't, so I told her she could go if she wanted to."

"She left?" I was shell-shocked. I wanted her next to me, to share this moment with her.

"Yes, a while ago. I thought she might have told you."

I’d checked and didn't have any messages from her.

"Anyway, congratulations again, Cade. I need to go. Alfred wants us to continue chatting."

I wasn't paying attention to Sonya anymore; I was fixated on what had happened to Meredith. She wouldn't have left without notifying me.

"Thank you," I said, stepping away. I took out my phone and called her a couple times, but she didn't answer. I wasn't going to wait around to find out what happened to her.

Outside the building, it was madness trying to get an Uber or a cab. Everyone else was trying to do the same. I walked a couple blocks before I could finally find a car. I gave the driver Meredith's address.

I didn't try calling her again on the way; in my experience, when people didn't answer their phone twice, they were unlikely to do so if you persisted. I practically jumped out of the car when I reached Meredith's building and went to the intercom, pressing it a couple times. There was no answer.Where is she?

I was worrying in earnest now. Maybe she was sick?

I took out my phone, intending to call her this time despite my previous conviction that it was of no use. I was surprised to see a message from her.

Meredith: Hey, sorry I left without telling you. Alfred told me about the conversation you had with him, and I didn't want to overshadow your win with any talk about that.

I stared at the phone.Talk about what? Overshadow what?I replied immediately.

Cade: Where are you? I'm at your place.

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