Emergency Session #2
“Um, he just sent a little greeting thing.” Our virtual plushies were a bit embarrassing to explain. They were a fun way for clients to show extra appreciation with a tip.
I must’ve made a good impression if Cade had downloaded the app to send me a plushie.
… Unless this was the fake Cade?
I tapped his name to pull up his profile, and it was mostly blank. No mention of unicorns or being shy. It wasn’t the same Cade Westbrook who’d booked me yesterday.
I typed a message to him while Sadie scooted closer to watch.
Ellie
Is this the real Cade?
It was a long, dramatic wait with me and Sadie staring at the screen before he replied.
Cade
It is.
My breath hitched. “It’s him.”
He’d actually downloaded the app. I wasn’t sure what to think.
“Are you kidding me?” Sadie elbowed me, scowling. “You can’t just take his word for it. Ask for proof. Have him send a selfie. I want to see what he looks like anyway.”
Okay, she had a point. If someone had already pretended to be Cade, then they could do it again.
Ellie
Prove it, please.
There was a longer pause this time. Long enough that I wondered if he was ignoring me—or maybe he was just struggling to get a good angle for a selfie.
Sadie and I enjoyed our gelato while waiting, until the soft ding of a new message came in.
Cade
This is the drool stain you left on my shirt yesterday.
A picture popped up below the words—a close-up of a shirt with a dark spot near the collar.
I immediately wanted to cease existing.
“What did he say?” Sadie asked, leaning closer.
“Nothing!” I smacked my hand over the screen to hide the evidence of my shame. “I mean, not nothing. Just… nothing pertinent to the situation. But I can confirm it’s definitely him.”
She squinted between my fingers before raising both brows. “You drooled on him?”
My face flamed as I groaned softly. “Not on purpose. I only drool when I’m completely wiped, and Whiskey had me up all night.”
Sadie slowly shook her head. “Well, it doesn’t sound like he was turned off by it.”
I frowned at the screen.
Ellie
Not cool. Did you download the app just to make fun of me, or did I convert you?
He didn’t respond. Not immediately. So we ate gelato and chatted for long enough that I thought he might not respond at all, until that little ding finally chimed minutes later.
My pulse skipped. “He messaged again.”
We both practically pushed our noses against the screen to read it, then gasped.
Cade
Neither. I have a business proposal for you. Need to schedule a session today to discuss it. ASAP.
I stared at the phone like it was an alien artifact. “He wants to hire me for an emergency session.”
“He totally wants to pay you for sex,” Sadie whispered. She eyed me speculatively. “Are you sure you didn’t sleep with him?”
“Sadie!”
“I’m just saying.” She shrugged, leaning back. “Exactly how good at cuddling are you?”
Heat rushed up my neck. “I’m a professional.”
“Well, maybe this is his weird way of asking you out, then,” she said. “If it is, then you should go for it. I’m tired of you not letting me set you up with any of the hot mafia men I live with.”
I pulled a face. “I don’t need your pity matchmaking. Save it for Winnie.”
Sadie snorted. “No thank you. Setting Winnie up has been a disaster. She went on a date with Hollis last Friday, and he came back with half his hair burnt off! It smelled horrible.”
I shook my head and refocused on the message, brow furrowing. There were more important things happening than Winnie’s unfortunate dating record. “What if Cade’s just luring me into a trap? The police could be there waiting to arrest me.”
“Arrest you for what? Cuddling? What you do isn’t illegal.”
“He could still charge me with trespassing yesterday.” I worried my lip. “He threatened to do that, and I could get kicked off the app.”
“Yesterday was an honest mistake,” she said, somehow managing to stay calm while my nerves only heightened. “Just tell him you’ll meet if you get to pick the location. I’m sure everything will be just fine.”
I mulled it over before sighing. “Has anyone ever told you that you trust too easily?”
Sadie laughed softly, eyes sparkling. “Maybe, but I’m happy with where it’s gotten me in life.”
True. Sadie was thriving in a mafia-compound-slash-dog-sanctuary with a gorgeous husband who was utterly obsessed with her, plus she had an adorable potato baby, while I was barely scraping by in a tiny attic apartment above a doomed cat café.
Some girls got all the luck.
Ellie
I’ll meet you, but I’m choosing the location.
A response came through instantly.
Cade
Send me the address.
“Okay. We’re meeting up.” A small bolt of panic hit, and my wide eyes darted to Sadie. “Where should I tell him to go?”
“How about here?” she suggested. “Davian or Vince can swing by in case he tries anything, and ice cream is a great peace offering.”
It wasn’t a bad idea, but something told me things would go a lot smoother without the mafia present.
“That’s a very kind offer,” I hedged while racking my brain for anywhere else we could go. When the perfect place popped into my head, I kicked myself for not thinking of it first. “Wait. I know exactly where to meet.”
I texted the address to Cade, and he said he’d be there in twenty minutes.
“Okay.” I set my phone down and let out a breath. “It’s happening.”
Sadie flashed a secret smile. “Will you change into date clothes first?”
“What? No.” I glanced down at my blue crocheted crop top. It looked fine. “Last time Cade saw me, I was dressed like a unicorn. I really doubt he has dating on his mind.”
Sadie’s blank stare spoke volumes. “… A unicorn?”
“Explaining it would just raise more questions.” I shook my head and hopped up from the chair. “I better go. Thanks for helping me with this. I’ll see you at the next PBA meeting!”
I carefully pulled Whiskey’s backpack on and headed for the exit.
“Ellie, wait!” Sadie called, pulling me to a stop. I looked over my shoulder to see her chewing on her lip. “If the opportunity arises to take the hot penthouse guy hostage, don’t immediately rule it out, okay? You never know what could happen.”
Well, I had an idea of what could happen. His bodyguard would probably flatten me like a pancake if Cade didn’t do it himself.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said instead, giving her a thumbs-up and heading out the door with a final call to the counter. “Thanks for the gelato, Bruno!”