46. 46
An older woman lets me in, showing me to the kitchen where a tired-looking Cady sits at the counter, finishing a bowl of soup.
It’s such a normal picture that my chest squeezes from want at the sight.
Cady picks up her bowl as I stand awkwardly in the middle of the huge kitchen, stocked with every appliance known to man. I watch as she puts it in the sink. “That was Tana,” she says unnecessarily. “I assume she won’t be back while you’re here. Unless there’s shouting.”
“I hope there’s no shouting. Nick slept through everything at the condo.”
She winces. “That wasn’t my finest moment.”
The way she says that gives me a shred of hope. The fact I was allowed inside the house, was the first sign all is not lost, and I want to gather every little bit of hope I can find.
“I did tell my father that you were interested in the island,” I tell her steadily. “He knew the company name, but not that you were personally involved. And I’m sure I said something as a way of trying to gain his favour.”
Cady nods and keeps nodding. “I’m not sure how I feel about it.”
“It was wrong of me and I’m truly sorry. I should have kept your confidence.”
“I remember when I found out it was Sandflower involved,” Cady muses. “I was so excited. I thought that gave me the inside track, but the reality was that it didn’t do anything. I think it’s time for me to apologize to you.”
I catch my breath. Apologize to me? I didn’t really think about that. “If we go back and forth with apologies, we’ll be here all day.”
“I’m sure you have somewhere to go,” she says stiffly.
“Actually, I don’t.” I take a deep breath. “My father is headed up to meet with Patel. I didn’t go with him.” I pause. “I told him I was finished with him.”
“Finished?”
“I quit,” I clarify. “I’m climbing the fire escape. This is my grand gesture. I’m doing something I’m afraid of—for me, it’s breaking ties with my father. I’ll figure out a way to help support my mother…” I swallow. I haven’t given this enough thought. I may have paid off my debts to him, but my father provides thousands of dollars for my mother’s care. If I have to take over that—
“And since I’m currently unemployed, I thought I’d see if you had any openings.” I spread my hands. “I’m not sure what my qualifications are, but I’m fairly persuasive and I can talk a good game.”
“And you’re very good at satisfying women,” Cady says in a low voice. “Not that it’s going to be any part of your job description.”
Another flare of hope. “There’s a job description?”
“You are very good at what you do.”
“I am.”
We stand in her kitchen, gazes locked. “Maximus,” she begins.
“Only call me that if you mean it.”
“I don’t know what I mean.”
“I’m not asking for much—”
“I’ll give you a job,” she says with a tired smile.
“I want you, not a just a job. I think we’ve got something special, Cady.” I take a tentative step toward her and feel gratified that she doesn’t move away. Another step, and another, and I’m close enough to cup her elbows. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”
“You don’t know me,” she scoffs, but her fire has dimmed.
“I know you like to watch Pretty Woman, and like your feet to feel pretty. I know you’re an amazing dancer, fully clothed, and managed to win over my friends in record time. And Nick didn’t even come on to you. Not much anyway.”
“I didn’t know if I should be offended or not.”
I rub her arms, wishing her arms weren’t crossed. Wishing they were winding around my waist so I could pull her close. “This may be quick, Cady, but it doesn’t mean it’s not real. I’ve never felt like this about anyone, and I’m not scared.”
“You’re not?”
“Well, maybe a little. Okay, a lot.”
“How do you feel?” she asks. “How am I supposed to feel about you?”
“Well, for me, I feel the big ones for you. Happy to be around you. Excited to get to know you. Permanent state of arousal.”
She laughs at that and my heart swells, because maybe… “But the other ones are important too. I want you to be happy. That’s as important as being happy myself. I care about what you think, feel, want. I admire you. I respect you, regardless of what dickhead me said.” I pause as I inch my hands around her waist. “I care, Cady.”
“So do I,” she whispers.
“If it’s too fast for you, we can slow down. Be friends for a while, although I might find that a little difficult with the permanent state of arousal.”
She actually looks down at the front of my pants. “See anything you like there?” I ask and Cady smiles. “I know you’re scared, that this is out of your comfort zone, but do you really want to walk away and throw away the chance that this is the real thing?”
The way she looks at me with her amber eyes makes my heart give a thump.
“I want to be finished running,” Cady says, and it’s like there’s a celebration march going on in my chest. “I want to be with you, Maximus.”
“Good,” I sigh. “Now, is your Tana going to burst in here when it’s quiet? Should I clear it with her before I kiss you?”
Cady pressed herself against me and raises on her tiptoes. “I’m done waiting for you, Maximus Steele.”
She kisses me.
She kisses me for a long time, and no one interrupts us, except for a cat who winds around my ankles.
I’m okay with cats.
I’m okay with it all, because I got the girl and she’s right here in my arms.
Maximus found love with Cady, but what about Dexter and Nick?