Page 23 of Cade

“I wanted to talk to you about your employee, April.”

The man on the other line took a sharp breath.

“It’s nothing bad,” Cade soothed. “I just wanted to make sure she remembered to put in her time off request.”

“Umm, I’m sorry. I can’t discuss that with you, sir,” Mark said sternly. “That is a private matter and we do respect our employee’s privacy.”

“I’d imagine that she has more than enough time banked for our honeymoon, but I was worried she’d be too concerned about her career to take the time off, you see? I was hoping that you could help me with making sure she has the dates off?”

There was a pause on the other line. The man knew he was talking to Cade. His secretary would have announced it to him.

“I know she really didn’t want our marriage to weigh on her potential move to partner. You know how she is, always wanting to make sure she gets through on her own hard work. Which I’m sure she has, but I really want to make sure we can enjoy our honeymoon.”

Cade had him against a wall. They did so much business with the firm that the man wouldn’t be able to refuse the request. He chose his words carefully, mentioning the promotion to let the other man know that he knew what influence he had.

“Sorry. I was just surprised. April hasn’t told me much about her private life, usually keeping everything separate. I am surprised that you two are engaged. When’s the big day?”

“Next week,” Cade said, leaving no room for change in his tone.

“I think we can find someone to cover her for two weeks. I’ll have to clear this with her, of course.”

“Of course. I would expect nothing less. I’m sure she won’t be happy that I interfered, but I want to make sure we get a little time to ourselves after the wedding. We are doing a very small ceremony because neither of us wanted it to turn into a spectacle.”

“I can only imagine what it would be like,” he assured Cade.

“I trust you to keep this between us until April is ready to make her announcement?”

“Of course.”

They said their goodbyes and Cade ended the call, leaning back in his chair and waiting for the drama to unfold. April was going to be mad, but hopefully she’d not want to back out. He was manipulating her a bit, but they’d make up eventually and it would all be worth it.

Chapter Eleven

April

Two days later, and April was still fuming about her conversation with Cade and his proposal. She hadn’t discussed it with anyone, which was probably why she couldn’t move forward, but she wouldn’t betray his trust in giving her the reason for his ask. She knew who she was and if she told part of the story, she’d tell it all.

Stewing was an understatement. Her frustration with him and herself was simmering below the surface of everything that she did and it was starting to show. Yesterday she had left work on time, which might as well be early, all because of the fact that one more stupid question was going to send her over the edge.

“What is wrong with me?” she muttered to herself.

“Everything okay?” Mark asked, poking his head into her office.

April nodded. “Just having a moment. I think I might be catching a cold, but I’m trying to keep it at bay,” she answered.

Mark took a step back, as though he might get sick from being too close. “Yes, well. I wanted to stop by and say that I think you’re making a good move with your engagement, and it will certainly help you grow your clients. If you need to, take the day off but make sure that you still complete your work this weekend, but I know you’ll get it done.”

April frowned, not liking where this was going. “What are you talking about?” She clenched her fists below her desk as she waited for the answer.

“I spoke with Cade this morning. I must say that I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t hear it from you, but I’m happy for you either way. This will be an advantageous marriage for you and the firm.” He grinned as though she had done it at his request.

She had done nothing, actually. “I do believe I’ll take the day.” April made a show of fake coughing and covering her mouth with her open palm.

Mark, as expected, took another step back. “Yes, umm, you do that.” He scurried off, likely going to grab his aerosol disinfectant to chase her out of the office with.

Shocked, yet not at the same time, she put her laptop away in her bag and headed out. It was time to confront Cade and have him fix whatever the hell he had done here. She rushed out of the office, ignoring the sound of the disinfectant following behind her.

Safely inside the elevator, she pulled her phone out, dialing Cade. Of course, it went straight to voicemail.

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