Chapter 12
twelve
“A ll right, what’s this going to cost me?” Miley cracked a bubble with her gum as she leaned forward from the backseat of Cade’s Audi. The cloudy afternoon transitioned into dusk as they sped down the highway toward Magnolia Bay.
“I told you we’d give you a ride for free. I can’t believe you were planning to take an Uber an hour each way.” Not to mention Cade would’ve gladly paid Miley to ride back with them and be a buffer between him and Rosalyn.
He wasn’t ready for more conversation yet.
He risked a look at the passenger seat where Rosalyn sat, gazing out the window. Her ponytail was up again, hoodie back on, makeup smudges wiped clean. She’d tried to put herself back together.
Currently, he possessed no such ability for himself.
And their kiss…his chest heated.
Miley was still talking. “An Uber is expensive, but my car broke down and this gig was worth it.” Crack . Another bubble. “But I meant what’s it going to cost to keep my secret?”
Cade glanced in the rearview. “We’re good at doing that, don’t worry.” He felt Rosalyn’s eyes boring into his profile. “Professionals, really.” Maybe a cheap shot, but his mood kept flipping from frustrated to sad and back.
But mostly frustrated at himself. What had he expected? Well—admittedly—not that . But he should’ve known better than to start to fall for Rosalyn Dupree. After two almost s now—the Lazy Spoon encounter and that kiss—he should take the hint.
Rosalyn Dupree was meant for the circus.
“I’m serious.” Miley’s voice took a panicked note. “I can’t let anyone in Magnolia Bay know I’m a stand-up comedian.”
“But you’re funny.” Rosalyn twisted in her seat, turning to face Miley. “You had that place cracking up. Why don’t you want anyone at home to know?”
Cade looked in the rearview at her. Good question. Everyone in town had noticed Miley’s better mood lately—this had to be the reason why.
Miley looked away. Crack . “It doesn’t exactly fit my vibe.”
“Vibes can change.” Rosalyn’s gaze drifted over to Cade. “A lot of things can change.”
What exactly about her situation did she think she could change that would matter right now? He clenched the steering wheel. “Change, huh? You mean, like people being friends one minute and kissing the next?”
Rosalyn sucked in a sharp breath.
“Weird example, but yeah, I guess.” Miley leaned forward again, bracing her arms on the middle console. “More like, I have a reputation I like and want to keep.”
“That’s fair.” Rosalyn’s voice grew quiet. “Reputations are hard to build and easy to lose.”
Cade let out his breath and sped up as he neared the exit for the causeway to Magnolia Bay. “Don’t worry, Miley, your secret is safe.”
Rosalyn stiffened beside him, and he gave her a sidelong glance before reluctantly mouthing the words yours too.
Her shoulders relaxed. But tension still creased her brows, probably the same tension that shot up his neck and into his temples.
How had they gotten here? Seemed like five minutes ago they were making out, the future bright, the concept of a “them” finally in reach, and now…Rosalyn was in the passenger seat but might as well be a million miles away.
Worst part was, he couldn’t even stay mad.
Because he already missed her.
“I can offer you both free coffee as a return favor for the secret.” Miley hesitated, rapidly spinning the black bracelets on her arm. “As long as my dad isn’t there, of course. He doesn’t like me giving discounts.”
“I don’t mind buying my own coffee. But do me a different favor?” Cade met Miley’s gaze in the mirror, taking in the smoky eye shadow, the shiny nose ring. “Think about the fact secrets cause more problems in the long run. It’s not worth it.”
She squinted. “How so?”
“Because secrets make you have to hide.” He held her gaze, fought the urge to look at Rosalyn. “Or worse, run away.”
Both women in the car fell silent.
They cleared the bridge and wound their way toward Village Lane. Cade cracked his neck to one side, but the tightness in his upper body remained.
He was such a fool, thinking Rosalyn had been into him. She didn’t need him. Oh sure, she—and apparently every other female in the Bay—needed him to keep their secrets. But something wasn’t adding up with her story, which led Cade to believe there were more secrets still.
Which meant whatever the other secrets were had to be worse than being secretly married.
Which meant Cade had been a distraction for Rosalyn, at best. A placeholder or rebound, at worst.
He glanced in the rearview, at his own flushed face and pinched expression.
At this point all he needed was a big red nose, and he’d be the perfect addition to his own circus.