Chapter 15
Olivia
I’m going to be honest, when I took this job, I thought I’d just be answering phones, replying to emails, and organizing the planner. I never imagined the mountain of paperwork and coordination that goes into wrapping up a project.
The last two weeks have been absolute chaos. I don’t think I’ve seen my desk once, without it being buried under piles of forms and files. The extra hours I’ve been putting in to keep everything on track are definitely starting to have an effect, but we are so close to the finish line.
After that delivery mix-up a few weeks ago and my emotional breakdown in front of Kade, things have been smoother.
Well, as smooth as they can be with a project this big…
and an emotionally damaged woman trying to keep it together.
Now that the private school renovation is finally nearing completion, Kade’s been spending more time with me, helping me learn the ropes and navigate all the details.
I glance down at the folder in front of me. “So, the final walkthrough is scheduled for Friday morning,” I say. “The fire marshal inspection went through, and we’re just waiting on the ADA sign-off.”
Kade nods, folding his arms with a confident grin. “That’s great. We’re almost there.”
I sigh, flipping through the stack of forms again. “I’m still getting the hang of all this. It’s a lot more detailed than I expected.”
He leans a little closer in his chair, lowering his voice. “You’re doing better than you think. I didn’t expect you to pick it up this fast.”
There’s a quiet pause between us, the kind that feels different from the usual office chatter.
“I’m glad you’ve been here to help,” I admit, feeling a little vulnerable.
Kade’s eyes meet mine, a hint of something warmer behind the usual teasing. “I’m not going anywhere.”
For a moment, the noise of the office fades, and all I can think about is how much I’m starting to trust him. Maybe even more than I realized.
It’s crazy because I never expected to connect with anyone when I moved to this town.
Of course, I’ve built a solid friendship with Aubrey, but the connection between me and Kade has completely caught me off guard.
From the moment we met, it’s like he saw straight through the version of myself I was trying so hard to keep hidden.
He’s seen me vulnerable—more than once—and every time, he’s met me with nothing but kindness.
I notice the way his eyes flick down to my lips and then back up to meet mine, and I swear my heart skips a beat. The idea of Kade wanting to kiss me? It’s enough to send my thoughts into a full spiral.
“You’re blushing,” he says, confident and sure.
“Am I?” I try to play it off, feigning innocence, even though I know full well he’s right. With the way he’s looking at me, how could I not be blushing?
His voice drops, low and teasing. “Do I make you nervous?”
“Sometimes,” I admit, the word slipping out before I can think twice.
“Same,” he says so casually, it knocks the breath out of me.
I let out a small laugh, unsure how else to react. “I find that hard to believe.”
He leans back in his chair, studying me like he’s trying to decide how honest to be. Then, quietly, almost too honestly, he says, “Why would it be so hard to believe that when I’m around you, I’m more nervous than I’ve ever been in my life?”
The words settle over me like a weight, soft but undeniable.
I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, stalling for time. “Because… you’re you. You’re good-looking and confident, and so sure of yourself. I’m none of those things. I spend most of my time just trying to be invisible.”
His expression softens, all traces of teasing gone. “You’re not invisible to me, Liv. I see you.”
“And Wh-what do you see?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, desperate to know and yet scared to find out.
Kade doesn’t look away.
“I see someone who’s stronger than she gives herself credit for,” he says quietly. “You’re smart. You care about people. You don’t just fill space—you change the way a room feels.”
I want to believe him. I want it more than anything, but after years of feeling like I’ve never been enough, that small, stubborn voice of doubt still whispers in the back of my mind.
“What if I’m not any of those things?” I whisper. “What if I’m just… pretending? What if the only reason I seem strong is because I don’t feel like I have any other choice?”
There’s a long pause. My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I’m sure he can hear it.
“You don’t have to pretend to be anything,” he says, voice low and steady. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”
I let out a short, disbelieving laugh, trying to deflect the weight of his words. “I’m a hot mess. And apparently, a great actress.”
Kade offers a soft smile, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Liv.”
Kade clears his throat, and for the first time since meeting him, he seems a little unsure of himself. “I didn’t mean for that to turn into some kind of therapy session. God knows I’m not qualified for that.”
“No, you’re fine,” I say quickly, maybe too quickly, because I have no idea how to handle… well, this.
He shifts in his chair, his fingers tapping once against the desk before he stills them. “I guess what I was trying to say is…” His voice softens. “Being exactly who you are—that’s enough.”
The butterflies in my stomach take flight at the sound of those words, wild and unstoppable.
“Thanks,” I manage, my voice quieter than I intended. “Being here, in Mayridge… it’s definitely helping me find myself again.”
Something in his expression warms at that, and for a second, the air between us feels too charged, too much. He must sense it too, because his lips twitch like he’s fighting a grin.
“Well,” he says, leaning back in his chair, “I’d like to take at least some credit for that.”
“Slightly arrogant of you, wouldn’t you say?” I smile, unable to help it.
“Arrogant would be saying I deserve all the credit,” he counters, his grin widening.
“Okay, so arrogant and delusional. Makes complete sense.”
He tilts his head, eyes sparkling with mischief. “I might be reading this wrong, but it kinda feels like you’re flirting with me.”
I scoff, heat creeping up my neck. “Flirting? Please. Your ego’s already big enough.”
Kade’s grin turns wicked, and he leans in just slightly, lowering his voice. “You have no idea.”
And then—he winks.
My brain short-circuits. Completely.
I open my mouth to fire back, but nothing comes out except an embarrassing little squeak of sound. “I—uh—you’re—” I clamp my mouth shut, staring very intently at the papers in front of me, because looking at him is absolutely not an option right now.
Kade, of course, notices. I can feel his grin without even looking.
“Cat got your tongue, Liv?” he teases, his tone infuriatingly smug.
I take a breath, trying for composure, but my voice comes out way too high-pitched to be convincing. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Unbelievably charming,” he corrects, leaning back in his chair like he didn’t just completely ruin my ability to form coherent thoughts.
“I thought you were meant to be helping me with this paperwork,” I say quickly, desperate to steer the conversation back to something safe.
“I’m here for whatever you need,” he says, his voice low and just raspy enough that my brain instantly supplies other meanings to his words.
I keep my eyes glued to the paperwork, but the corners of my mouth betray me, tugging into a smile I can’t hide.
I chance a quick look at Kade to find him already engrossed in some of the reports scattered across my desk, his brows slightly furrowed in concentration.
Everything about this man pulls me in—the easy way he talks to me, how he makes me laugh without even trying, the way he can take a heavy moment and somehow make it feel lighter.
For a moment, I just watch him, my pen stilled in my hand. There’s something steady about him, something that feels… safe. Which is dangerous in its own way, because I can feel myself wanting more of it. More of him.
Kade glances up suddenly, catching my gaze before I can look away. One corner of his mouth lifts in a knowing smirk. “You’re staring.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I quickly duck my head, pretending to jot something down. “No, I’m not.”
“Sure, you’re not,” he says, his tone amused but softer this time, less teasing.
I don’t look up again, but I can feel his eyes on me, and my stupid smile refuses to fade as we fall into a comfortable silence, both of us pretending to focus on work while something unspoken hums quietly between us.