Page 15 of Cade

“Really? I’m surprised at you leaving while others are still here. You’re usually last.” He sounded disappointed in her, and April had to remind herself that she didn’t care.

“I have dinner plans,” still making up her excuse, she tried to tidy her desk before leaving.

“Just the same, we prefer your full dedication,” he winked like it was a secret.

She didn’t gag, despite his best efforts at making her come close. He wasn’t hitting on her, so there was that. It was just that he really thought she wanted to work like this forever and she really didn’t.

“Understood,” April replied and gathered her purse, slipping past him. “I’ve really got to get going.”

“You aren’t going to take your computer?” He sounded shocked.

“I’ll be back here early in the morning, as always. At some point, I’ve got to get some rest.” She made her way to the elevator and pressed the down button, waiting for the doors to open as Mark followed.

“It’s a shame we have to sleep. It’d be so nice if those of us that were dedicated to our jobs would be able to get even more done. It’s definitely why we’re single, right?” He grinned again.

April shuddered but was saved from replying by the ding of the elevator arriving. “Have a good night,” she said as the doors closed behind her.

Did people really think she was dedicated to her job instead of dating? She wasn’t, intentionally. At some point, she’d just given up on trying to date and work had filled her time.

Shit, he was right. This wasn’t what she wanted for herself. It was the farthest thing it could be from what she’d imagined her life would be now.

The saddest part was that it was Cade that had sent her down this path. At one point, all her future dreams had included Cade, and she’d just never bothered to come up with new ones when he left.

It wasn’t lost on her how lame that sounded. As she stepped out onto the ground floor, she checked her phone, wondering who was calling her earlier. Kayla was her only missed call and April pressed send on her contact as she climbed into the back of a cab.

Driving around the city wasn’t worth the headache of parking, so she’d sold her car several years ago, opting to have someone else drop her off.

“You’re still at work, aren’t you?” Kayla said as she answered the phone.

“I’m not,” April defended herself.

“I hear traffic. You just left, didn’t you?” Kayla asked.

“Maybe,” April answered sheepishly.

“I’d fuss at you, but I don’t think it’s doing any good. I called for another thing, though,”

“Oh?” April waited for her friend to get to the point.

“I want to know what happened with your date. And before you give me anymore of that nonsense, I want the actual truth. I know it was something more than you’ve been telling me because neither of you will talk about it or give it a second try.”

“Kayla—”

“No,” she interrupted. “Business aside, I want to be your friend again, April. We never get to talk anymore and I know something is going on. I just wish you’d talk to me.” Kayla’s sad voice was quieter than usual. “I miss you.”

April missed her, too. She wanted to talk to someone about all the things that were going on in her life and have them listen and give a damn.

“Drinks?” April asked.

“Working,” Kayla answered.

“Ironic,” April couldn’t help pointing out.

“Come here. I’ll order some food and you can talk to me,” Kayla offered.

“You’re working. I don’t want to interrupt.”

“I’m the owner. I can do what I want. Come on by. I’ll order food now and see you soon.” Kayla ended the call before April could argue again.

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