Chapter 31
31
CADENCE
I lean back in my chair, watching Molly move around the rescue with practiced efficiency. It's late afternoon, and the place is eerily quiet. No barking, no whining, no chaos. Just the soft pad of Molly's shoes on the concrete floor as she goes about her tasks. In the weeks since I hired her, this place has become a little bit of heaven.
"You need anything, Cadence?" Molly calls out, her arms full of freshly laundered towels.
She's running around here, doing all the things, and still asks me if I need more help. She's a fucking gem. "Nope, I'm good."
She nods and disappears into the storage room. I hear her humming as she organizes the shelves, probably color-coding the supplies again. She's got a system that puts my haphazard approach to shame. Though to be fair, I had been so busy I only organized what needed organizing, like the feeding schedule board. The rest of the stuff went on my "one day" pile.
My phone buzzes, and I fish it out of my pocket. It's a text from Maverick:
Hey beautiful. I’ve got a little something planned for us. I’ve been working on it for a while. I just need your yes. You in?
I bite my lip, a mix of excitement and nerves fluttering in my stomach. Before I can reply, Molly emerges from the storage room, a clipboard in hand.
"I've updated the inventory list," she says, handing it to me. "We're running low on flea medication for the bigger dogs. Want me to place an order?"
"Yeah, that'd be great," I nod, seriously impressed. I'd completely forgotten about that. Why didn’t I hire someone earlier?
Oh right. Because I was poor.
I’m not sure why she wanted to leave her job as an assistant at a vet’s office, but I’m not going to question it. She’s here, and I’m so grateful.
Molly grins and heads to the computer, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she places the order. I glance back at my phone, Maverick's text still waiting for a response.
The sound of a mop sloshing against the floor draws my attention. Molly's already started on the evening cleaning routine, humming softly as she works. She moves with an ease that speaks of years of experience, though I know she's only been here a short while.
"Hey Molly," I call out, "you've got this under control, right?"
She looks up, pushing a strand of hair from her face. "Absolutely. I'll finish mopping, then do a final check on all the kennels. The adoption paperwork for tomorrow is all set, and I've prepped the meet-and-greet room for the potential adopters coming in the morning."
I blink, momentarily stunned. "Wow, that's... that's everything. You're amazing, Molly."
She shrugs, a small smile on her face. "Just doing my job. You heading out?"
I look down at my phone again, Maverick's text glowing on the screen. "Yeah, I think I am."
As Molly returns to her mopping, I type out a response to Maverick:
Yes. Can’t wait. What time?
His reply comes almost instantly.
I'll pick you up at your door at 7. Wear something fancy.
I grin, my heart racing a little. All my things under my arm, I find myself unable to leave.
"You sure you don't need me for anything else?" I ask, hovering by the door.
Molly looks up, an amused expression on her face. "Go on, Cadence. Enjoy your night off. You deserve it."
I nod, still a little dazed by this new reality in which I can just…relax. Even now, nearly three weeks after I hired her, I’m still disoriented. "Thanks, Molly. I'll see you tomorrow."
As I step out into the fading afternoon light, I marvel at how different things are now. For the first time in years, I'm walking away from the rescue without a nagging worry in the back of my mind. No mental checklist of things I've forgotten, no guilt about leaving early.
Okay, so I'm feeling a little guilty, but it will pass I'm sure. Besides, I've got a date to get ready for, and thanks to Molly, I can focus on just that. It's a strange feeling, this freedom, but I think I'm going to like it.
Thank god I didn't put up a bigger fight. I was fully prepared to play along, humoring Janey as we interviewed candidates. It felt weird, still does, to take money, but that's the nature of the game. Rescues are not profitable. They just aren't. No one gets into it trying to become rich. It's a life of scraping by and making do.
Only now, it's not. Thanks to Brash. Thanks to Maverick. And it opens up a whole world of possibilities.
I push open the door to our apartment, the voices hitting me immediately. The scene before me is nothing short of comedic gold.
Nan's perched on the edge of the couch, her face a mask of forced patience as she watches Becca wrestle with a ball of yarn. Becca's tongue pokes out of the corner of her mouth, her brow furrowed in concentration as she yanks at the crochet hook.
"Come on you fucking piece of fucking annoying fucking yarn," Becca mutters, her fingers white-knuckled around the hook. "This is worse than trying to get a knot out of a gi belt after a tournament."
Nan sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Honey, you're strangling that poor yarn. Loosen up a bit, would ya?"
"I am loose," Becca grumbles, giving the hook another vicious tug. "This hook's just being a little bitch."
"Watch your language," Nan chides, then immediately contradicts herself. "And for fuck's sake, stop pulling so hard. You're gonna snap that hook clean in two."
Snickering, I settle onto the couch, earning a glare from Nan that might have worked on me when I was little, but now only makes me laugh.
Becca groans, shaking the hook and yarn. "This is impossible. I think only serial killers would do this for fun."
"It's supposed to be relaxing," Nan says, her tone suggesting it's anything but at the moment. "Though right now, I'd rather be waxing my upper lip with duct tape."
Becca looks up, a slow grin spreading across her face. "You're my kind of lady, Nan." Her gaze sharpens. "You know, you should come to the dojo and take my self-defense class. It's never too late to learn how to protect yourself."
"I don't know honey. From what I can tell, your patience could use a little work. Are there any other, more patient instructors to learn from?"
Becca's mouth drops open, then she throws back her head, laughing. "You are so mean." Her face flattens, turning a bit scary. "I like it." She is so weird.
I like it.
Nan's expression turns sweet. "So, Becca, tell me more about this class. When is it? What should we wear?"
I hold up my hands defensively as Nan's gaze swings to me. "We?"
"Of course, dear. Every woman needs to know how to protect herself."
Becca beams, launching into an explanation of her class schedule and what to expect. Nan nods along, asking questions with genuine interest. And I just stare at them, really confused. Protect myself? Like all the weapons training, martial arts and Krav Maga Grandpa put us through isn't enough? She knows damn well I can protect myself. Growing up with a cop means paranoia, and training. Lucky for Grandpa, I enjoyed every minute of it.
"Well, we'd love to come," Nan says finally. "I'll make sure to drag Cadence along too."
Becca's face lights up. "Awesome! I'll see you both there." She stands, dumping the tangled mess of yarn on the coffee table. "I should head out. Thanks for trying to teach me, Nan, but I think I'll stick to punching things."
"Sounds good, honey. It's okay to stay in your lane."
As the door closes behind Becca, I turn to Nan, eyebrow raised. "Okay, spill. Why are we really going?"
Nan shrugs, a small smile playing on her lips. "Because Becca's a nice young woman, if a little strange. It would be nice to spend more time with her."
I snort. "But we don't need a self-defense class. We're way beyond that. Gramps made sure of it."
"She doesn't need to know that," Nan says, patting my knee. "It's okay to just let her feel helpful."
"Whatever, Nan," I say, my mind already shifting to tonight. "I'm going to shower and get ready for my date. What are you up to tonight?"
"Nick is playing matchmaker. He's got some lady in the building that he wants me to meet. Apparently, she has great cookies and he thinks we should be friends. I figured, what the hell. I like meeting new people, and while I love hanging around all you young ones, you're all a lot of work. It might be nice to have a friend who can just sit in fucking peace once in a while."
I'd worry she's actually overwhelmed by it all, but other than some grumbling, she's been glowing. "Hopefully your old lady date goes well."
Nan snorts and busies herself putting away her crochet supplies. "Get on with you. Wear something that'll knock his socks off."
I smooth down the front of my dress, my fingers trailing over the soft, crimson fabric. The neckline dips low, accentuating my curves in a way that makes me feel both daring and a little self-conscious. I look hot, that's for damn sure, but I'm going to have to remember not to bend forward, or Maverick's going to get an eyeful of the girls, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that step in our relationship.
The soft knock at my bedroom door startles me. I swing the door open, finding Maverick in a suit, looking so good my breath catches. It's not his usual business attire; this one's different. Still hot, but different. The fabric on this one is a deep, rich black with a subtle sheen that catches the light. It looks impossibly soft, and I find myself wanting to reach out and touch it.
Maverick's eyes widen as he takes me in, and for a moment, he seems to forget how to speak. His mouth opens and closes a few times, and I can't help but feel a little thrill at rendering him speechless.
"You... I... Wow," he finally manages, then closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. When he opens them again, his gaze is intense, filled with admiration that makes my skin tingle. "Cadence, you look absolutely stunning."
I feel a blush creeping up my neck, but I manage a smile. "Thank you," I say softly, reaching out to touch his arm. The fabric of his suit is even softer than it looks, like brushed velvet under my fingertips. "You look pretty amazing yourself."
Maverick grins, pulling my fingers to his lips for a quick kiss, then offering me his arm. "Shall we?"
As we walk to the elevator, my curiosity gets the better of me. "Where are we going?" Maverick's grin is enigmatic as he presses the button, and I'm surprised when he selects the thirty-fourth floor.
"What are we doing?" I ask, confused as we approach a door next to Bree's apartment.
Maverick's smile softens. "I really wanted some one-on-one time with you. No interruptions, no distractions. Just you and me." He opens the door, and I gasp.
The apartment is mostly bare, save for a large table set for two in the center of the room and a basic black leather couch. Candles flicker everywhere, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. The table is adorned with two elegant place settings, the china and crystal gleaming in the soft light.
But what takes my breath away are the flowers. Vases of every shape and size are scattered around the room, filled with an array of blooms. Roses in deep reds and soft pinks, sunny yellow tulips, and elegant white lilies. The scent is intoxicating, a heady mix of floral perfumes that fills the air.
In the candlelight, everything seems softer, more magical. Shadows dance on the walls, and the polished surfaces of the table and vases reflect the flickering flames, creating a mesmerizing play of light and dark.
I turn to Maverick, overwhelmed by the effort he's put into this. "This is... incredible," I breathe, taking in the romantic scene before me.
Maverick's hand finds the small of my back, warm even through the fabric of my dress. "I'm glad you like it," he says, his voice low and intimate in the quiet of the room. "I wanted tonight to be special, and there have been too many interruptions on our other dates. So I’ve been working on this. I wanted to do it sooner, but you were sick, then training Molly. And I had a few cases to wrap up. But it doesn’t matter. We’re here now."
A little niggling worry pokes at the back of my mind. One I won't ignore. "I’m so glad you did this, but I can't turn off my phone. If Nan needs me…".
"Of course you should leave it on,” he says immediately. “Though I think Nan's with Connie and Nick tonight, so if anything's wrong, they'll come and get us. Everyone knows where we are, I just threatened each and every one of them to make damn sure they don't interrupt us," Maverick reassures me, his tone a mix of humor and determination.
"I'm glad. I've wanted more time with you. Our last few dates have been…" I trail off, not wanting to sound ungrateful for the moments we've shared.
"Short," he admits with a wince, his expression sheepish.
"But sweet," I quickly add, because it's absolutely true. Our simple dates, a walk through the park, and sitting in a quiet corner of a coffee shop have been better than any date I've been on before. Every moment with him, a moment where his attention is solely on me, is special. He makes me feel special.
"I'm sorry. I'm working on setting boundaries. But the side work I take on is really important to me. But so are you, and I'm afraid I haven't done a good job showing you that."
"I didn't take it personally. I know you have a lot going on."
"Maybe, but you deserve to have a man that puts you first."
"That sounds romantic. It does. And maybe you deserve a woman that can put you first. But I don't think that's me."
His brow furrows, and he smooths a hand over the tablecloth. "I see."
"I don't think you do. You're everything I've ever wanted in a man. Everything and more. Honestly, if I dreamed you up, I still would have fallen short of the reality of you. But if something happened, and Nan needed me, I would drop you like a hot potato and run to be at her side."
Maverick's brow relaxes and that little grin comes back. "That's fair, but just saying, I'd push you out of the way to get to her if she needed me too."
It's my turn to be shocked. "Just…knock me over?"
"In a heartbeat. I love her. If she needs me, I'm there. No questions asked. That woman could ask me to help her cover up a crime, and I would do it."
I press my fingers against my trembling lips. "You would really do that?"
"Do I swear I'll put Nan above you if necessary? Yeah, I do."
There's no stopping them. I try, but fail fast. I burst into tears, overwhelmed by Maverick's words. The emotions I've been holding back for so long come crashing down, and I can't stop the sobs wracking my body. Maverick reacts instantly, his chair clattering to the floor as he rushes to my side. He kneels next to me, trying to console me, but I'm too far gone. I lay my head on his shoulder and continue to cry.
With a frustrated sound, Maverick scoops me up in his arms. He carries me to the bedroom, gently laying me on the bed before crawling on. He pulls me close, wrapping his strong arms around me. His hand moves in soothing circles on my back as I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
As my tears slowly subside, I find comfort in Maverick's embrace. The warmth of his body and the strength of his arms around me make me feel safe in a way I haven't in a long time. The sound of his heartbeat grounds me, reminding me that I'm not alone anymore.
"I've been so alone," I whisper, my voice still shaky. "Every test, every doctor's appointment, I've had to be the strong one. I've had to do all the worrying. And the idea that you're on her side too? I got a little overwhelmed. I'm so sorry."
Maverick's arms tighten around me, chest rumbling under my cheek as he speaks. "You don't ever have to apologize to me for feeling. Ever, you hear me? I can't imagine everything you went through with her. All the stress and worry. But you're done carrying that burden by yourself."
I couldn't feel better than this. It's not possible. Jason Momoa could drop to one knee and tell me I'm the love of his life, and I wouldn't feel a thing. Because Maverick Walker is looking at me like I'm the best thing since gummy bears.
"It's been so tough," I admit. "Nan's all I have, and I've been terrified of losing her. Every time she has a bad day or complains about feeling tired, my mind goes to the worst-case scenario. I've had to be strong for her, to reassure her that everything will be okay, even when I'm not sure myself."
I take a deep breath, inhaling Maverick's comforting scent. "And it's not just the medical stuff. It's everything. Making sure we have enough money for bills, for food, for her medications. Worrying about the rescue and how to keep it running. It's been overwhelming, and I've felt so alone in all of it."
Maverick's hand continues its soothing motion on my back. "You're not alone anymore, Cadence. I'm here, and I want to help. Not just with Nan, but with everything. You don't have to carry this weight by yourself anymore."