Page 63 of Matchmaking the Rival

I blinked. My stomach lurched. “That’s a personal question.”

“It is. I’m not holding it against you or anything. I’m just curious. I saw you leaving Starbucks and getting in his car. You seemed more than friendly.”

What the hell? Why wasn't I more cautious?

“We are more than friends, and that’s all I’m going to say on that.” Mostly because that was all I knew myself. Like Cade had said, we were enjoying our time together.

“Fair enough. Your private life is your own.”

I couldn’t get a good read on her. But I had enough on my plate without worrying about Sonya.

Still, when I sat at my desk, I shot Cade a message.

Meredith: Sonya saw us together yesterday.

He answered a few minutes later.

Cade: Is she giving you trouble?

Meredith: Not sure.

Cade: We’ll deal with her if needed. I’ve got your back, Meredith. Can’t let anyone roast that perfect ass.

I grinned, shaking my head as I got to work. I couldn't make up my mind what the best way was to describe Cade. After our evening together, I'd been firmly convinced that "sexy as hell" was his main attribute. But then the week rolled on, and the man revealed a completely different side of himself.

On Tuesday evening, he showed up at my parents’ house, as promised. It turned out there wasn’t that much to do because Derek took the day off work to help my parents assemble all the furniture. On Wednesday, I was already looking forward to the evening, even though we hadn’t made any plans. To my intense disappointment, he sent me a message bearing bad news later in the afternoon.

Cade: I had to go out of town for an emergency at a packaging factory in Jacksonville.

Meredith: Fingers crossed you solve it fast!

Cade: Sorry about the short notice.

Meredith: Don’t worry. I’m exhausted, so I wouldn’t be much fun.

Cade: I disagree. What time do you finish work?

Meredith: 5:30. Why?

Cade: I’m sending someone to pick you up.

Meredith: Cade, really! That’s not necessary.

Cade: Yes, it is.If I were there, I’d take you, but I'm not. So Cal will look after you.

Man, oh man!Why should I have disagreed with him? I didn’t mind in the least. At five thirty, I practically ran out of the building.

A guy named Cal stood in front and introduced himself to me. "I'm Mr. Jake's driver, but Mr. Cade also uses my services from time to time. He told me to take you wherever you want."

I needed to do some shopping for Saturday. I wanted a present for Abe and Jeannie Whitley—I didn't want to show up empty-handed—and I was also looking for an outfit to wear, so I asked Cal to take me to Copley Square before texting Cade.

Meredith: When are you coming back?

Cade: Looks like I'll only make it back on Saturday. There are more fires to put out than I anticipated. I even have a meeting on Saturday morning.

My heart plummeted. I couldn't even put into words the magnitude of the disappointment rolling through me. How could I even feel so down about this?

Meredith: You’re spending Thanksgiving there?

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