Page 109 of Matchmaking the Rival

Everly: What happened?

I typed back quickly so she wouldn't have a chance to worry. I hadn't told her or my parents anything about Cade either.

Meredith: Nothing! Don't worry. Just tired.

That wasn’t a lie. Iwastired. But even so, instead of going to sleep, I opened the website of my favorite ornaments shop. They had next-day delivery. I’d braced myself for Everly to insist, but she didn’t. Knowing her, she was probably already asleep. Poor thing. She’d napped at my parents' too.

Some people were addicted to buying shoes. I was addicted to buying Christmas ornaments. I scoured the internet for a couple hours and was about to open yet another site when a message lit up the screen.

I bunched the covers to my chest when I saw a message from Cade.

Cade: Are you still up, beautiful?

I licked my lips, sitting up straighter in bed. My fingers tingled with excitement.

Meredith: Yes. Splurging my net worth on Christmas ornaments.

I swallowed hard.

Cade: I have a better idea. Meet me at Harvard Square at 10:00 tomorrow and I can indulge your addiction all you want.

My heart felt skittish, like it was jumping around in my chest.

Meredith: Game on.

I texted and deleted another reply before deciding on not sending anything else. We’d talk tomorrow. I was determined to keep things light. I wished I hadn’t told him all about the conversation with Alfred because I was certain it had been on his mind this evening. But I couldn’t come up with an excuse about why I left. I didn’t want to lie.

I wished I could’ve spent the night with Cade’s family at Jeannie’s and Abe’s, but I thought I did the right thing. I didn’t want to be a Debbie Downer, and I was afraid I might’ve done that based on the way I was feeling earlier this evening. After I spoke with Cade, I’d have to tell Jeannie I was sorry for not showing up. I knew she was excited about celebrating Cade’s win and wanted me to be there.

The next morning, I was out the door super early. I was sure he’d sent the wrong time—I knew for a fact that they opened at eleven o'clock because I'd been there for the last couple years almost religiously—but I was too anxious to see him to care.

When I arrived, I let out a sigh. This was where I first saw Cade. If I closed my eyes, I could still see my booth. A shiver went through me as I remembered how my entire body tightened up when I laid eyes on him the first time. God, I'd been so on edge.

I was even more on edge now when I saw him walking toward me just as I was getting out of my Uber. The nearest booth was open. He was smiling widely, hands in his pockets. I quickly glanced around. All the booths were already open, and there was no one here except Cade and me. I’d forgotten my beanie, so my ears were freezing. The air didn’t smell like mulled wine yet like it usually did.

"I feel like something's happening, but I don't know what," I explained, looking around again. “How is this even open?”

The nearest sales associate cleared her throat. "This gentleman here made a very convincing case for us all to open earlier—something about impressing his girlfriend. I was skeptical, but when he told me how much he cares about her, I fell hook, line, and sinker."

"And me," the elderly woman in the booth next to us added. She sold hand-knitted scarves and beanies. I knew that because I bought one scarf from her every year.

I looked back at Cade. "How did you manage that?"

"I told her this is one of your favorite Christmas markets, and it's also the place where we first met. I thought it was appropriate to bring you here to tell you everything I have on my mind."

I swallowed hard, clutching my purse to my chest. "When did you do this?”

“Last evening. I thought, 'What would make Meredith happiest?' A Christmas shopping spree without anyone crowding you. But first, Meredith, we need to set something straight."

"Oh, here it goes," someone murmured.

"I think everyone's listening," I whispered.

"Yeah, I haven't thought this through," Cade said, looking stern. "The one benefit of crowds is that the sound gets lost. Come on, let's step away."

We went farther away from the booths, under a huge tree.

"Meredith, last evening was a complete blur. I wanted you by my side the whole time. I didn’t tell Alfred anything he implied to you. You have to believe me."

---