Page 18 of Cade

One more meeting to get through and he’d be free from work obligations for the night. Taking the chance now, he read April’s message.

Cade let out a loud laugh as he read it. She’d told Kayla that they knew each other. It was almost too good. Everyone would be slightly less surprised by what he was about to ask her then.

He sent off a quick message to her before his next meeting showed up.

Cade: Meet me tonight.

No sooner than it sent, bubbles appeared from April. He didn’t get to see the response as Lauren interrupted to let him know his last meeting was here.

“Send him in,” Cade replied, setting his phone face down and getting down to business.

The meeting ran longer than expected, partly due to the fact that Cade wasn’t focused. He had to remind himself more than once to take his eyes off his phone. This was an important contract he needed to stay on top of.

“Cade, is there something going on?” the older man across from him finally asked.

Taking a deep breath, Cade decided it was now or never. “Actually, you can be the first to congratulate me on my impending nuptials.” He pushed a smile across his face.

The man stood and took Cade’s hand, giving it a firm shake. “Congratulations, son. I know you’ll make some lady very happy.”

“I hope to, sir,” Cade replied.

“You should have rescheduled this meeting. When is the big day?” the man started towards the door.

“I’m trying to set it as soon as possible. We don’t want anything big or showy.” Well, he didn’t, anyway.

“That’s a sign of a good woman when they don’t need to show you off. Happiness is about so much more than other people’s opinions on your relationship.” He grabbed the door handle. “Let me know when you’re back to work after the happy day. We can meet then. You might be less distracted,” he laughed at his own words. “Or more. Time will tell.”

Cade walked to the door with him and saw the man out before telling Lauren she could take off for the day. She looked at him questioningly, but didn’t voice any of her thoughts.

He waited until Lauren left before closing the door to his office and picking up his phone to see if April had written him back. It was well into dinnertime now and he’d take her out somewhere nice if she was willing.

April: You can come by my place. I’m tired and not in the mood to fake nice to other people tonight.

Cade snorted. If she only knew what he was about to ask her, she’d probably prefer the public instead.

Cade: I’ll bring dinner so you don’t have to cook. What’s the address?

He knew it already, but there was no reason she needed to know that.

April: I’m already cooking. Feel free to stop by and I’ll feed you too.

She sent her address and Cade didn’t fight the genuine smile that was creeping across his lips. April was surprisingly agreeable tonight, and he could only hope that the trend continued.

Cade told her he was on his way and quickly headed out. He had a feeling time was of the essence, and he needed to get to her before she changed her mind.

Chapter Nine

April

April stood in her kitchen cooking dinner and obsessively checking her phone. She kept waiting for Cade to change his mind and say he wasn’t coming, but he hadn’t.

Honestly, she’d invited him over to her place, expecting him to say no. Now she was cooking dinner for two and still dressed after a long day at work, when she wanted nothing more than to slide into comfy pajamas. The cooking she’d be doing either way, but with fewer ingredients.

He kept surprising her, just not in good ways. Now she was terrified of what he wanted if he was willing to come over to have the conversation. Then again, the man was something to look at it.

No. She shook her head. She did not need to go there at all, she reminded herself. Cade was trouble, and it always ended that way. No matter how her body responded to him, she needed to hold her resolve.

Curiosity was definitely getting the better of her. She should have told him no when he asked to meet. She absolutely shouldn’t have invited him to her place.

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