Chapter Fifteen
MEREDITH
“Sonya, you’re going to love this,” I murmured on Tuesday morning, glancing at the printer. I was a little sleepy because someone kept me up late, but things at the office were crazy enough to give me an adrenaline boost.
The last quarter of the year always brought on more stress as everyone focused on filling sales quotas and making sure all our key performance indicators were on track.
I was keeping an eye on our point-of-sale promos.
I had to give kudos to my predecessor because she'd kept calm during these months. I felt like I was going to lose it every time someone emailed me that things weren't going according to plan. Sonya herself was also more operationally involved right now. She asked for updated sales reports twice a week. I went to her office as soon as the printer was done, as I couldn’t wait for her to see the latest numbers. I knocked on her door; even though it was open, I didn’t want to barge in.
"Meredith, come in," she said, massaging her temple. "What do you have for me?"
"The latest numbers. You'll like them." I put them on the desk in front of her.
She only threw them a cursory glance and then looked up at me. I could tell she was happy. "This looks good. You're crushing it."
"Thanks. By the way, where are we with the sale? Did Arthur talk to Cade’s CFO?"
Sonya shrugged, avoiding my eyes and looking back down at the report. "Don't stress over that. Cade’s CFO reached out to us but we haven't moved forward in that direction. You just concern yourself with bringing more extraordinary numbers like this."
"Okay." My mood instantly lifted. Does that mean she gave up on the idea of selling? Or maybe she's simply postponing everything until after the Christmas and New Year's rush are over. That was more than fine by me.
“By the way, I know it’s none of my business, but you and Cade are… more than friends?”
I blinked. My stomach lurched. “That’s a personal question.”
“It is. I’m not holding it against you or anything. I’m just curious. I saw you leaving Starbucks and getting in his car. You seemed more than friendly.”
What the hell? Why wasn't I more cautious?
“We are more than friends, and that’s all I’m going to say on that.” Mostly because that was all I knew myself. Like Cade had said, we were enjoying our time together.
“Fair enough. Your private life is your own.”
I couldn’t get a good read on her. But I had enough on my plate without worrying about Sonya.
Still, when I sat at my desk, I shot Cade a message.
Meredith: Sonya saw us together yesterday.
He answered a few minutes later.
Cade: Is she giving you trouble?
Meredith: Not sure.
Cade: We’ll deal with her if needed. I’ve got your back, Meredith. Can’t let anyone roast that perfect ass.
I grinned, shaking my head as I got to work. I couldn't make up my mind what the best way was to describe Cade. After our evening together, I'd been firmly convinced that "sexy as hell" was his main attribute. But then the week rolled on, and the man revealed a completely different side of himself.
On Tuesday evening, he showed up at my parents’ house, as promised.
It turned out there wasn’t that much to do because Derek took the day off work to help my parents assemble all the furniture.
On Wednesday, I was already looking forward to the evening, even though we hadn’t made any plans.
To my intense disappointment, he sent me a message bearing bad news later in the afternoon.
Cade: I had to go out of town for an emergency at a packaging factory in Jacksonville.
Meredith: Fingers crossed you solve it fast!
Cade: Sorry about the short notice.
Meredith: Don’t worry. I’m exhausted, so I wouldn’t be much fun.
Cade: I disagree. What time do you finish work?
Meredith: 5:30. Why?
Cade: I’m sending someone to pick you up.
Meredith: Cade, really! That’s not necessary.
Cade: Yes, it is. If I were there, I’d take you, but I'm not. So Cal will look after you.
Man, oh man! Why should I have disagreed with him? I didn’t mind in the least. At five thirty, I practically ran out of the building.
A guy named Cal stood in front and introduced himself to me. "I'm Mr. Jake's driver, but Mr. Cade also uses my services from time to time. He told me to take you wherever you want."
I needed to do some shopping for Saturday. I wanted a present for Abe and Jeannie Whitley—I didn't want to show up empty-handed—and I was also looking for an outfit to wear, so I asked Cal to take me to Copley Square before texting Cade.
Meredith: When are you coming back?
Cade: Looks like I'll only make it back on Saturday. There are more fires to put out than I anticipated. I even have a meeting on Saturday morning.
My heart plummeted. I couldn't even put into words the magnitude of the disappointment rolling through me. How could I even feel so down about this?
Meredith: You’re spending Thanksgiving there?
Cade: Yes. Doesn’t make sense to fly back and forth. One of our packaging lines is malfunctioning. I’m exploring several options so we can fulfill all the deliveries for the Christmas season.
Meredith: :-( Wish you could come back sooner.
Cade: Do you miss me?
Should I tone down my reaction? Maybe put a playful edge on it so I don't seem too needy?
But it felt so much easier to reply via text.
Meredith: Yes.
I sent it quickly, putting a hand on my chest, playing with the long pendant at my neck. It was a nervous habit of mine.
Cade: I miss you too. I planned on seeing you as soon as I got back. I wanted to surprise you at your home.
My heart jumped in my chest. I crossed and uncrossed my legs as a huge smile took over my face.
Okay, this is definitely slipping into romantic territory.
"We’re here." Cal sat looking at me through the rearview mirror.
"Thanks so much. How much do I owe you?" I asked as I unhooked my seat belt.
"Nothing, of course. As I said, I work for Mr. Jake."
"Okay, well, thank you. Have a great evening, Cal."
"I’m not leaving. I'll park and wait for you."
"Oh! No, you don’t have to. I'll just call an Uber once I'm done. I have no clue how long this is going to take."
"I have instructions to wait for you. In fact, I can give you my number, and if you have too many bags, I'll come and help you with them."
What is this life?
"Wow. Thank you." I got out of the car, hurrying down the bustling street, texting Cade.
Meredith: Okay, I’ve got to go. I'm off to buy something for your grandmother and a little something for me.
Cade: I demand pictures.
A shudder ran through me. My nipples turned hard, pushing against my bra. My panties felt hot against the skin between my legs.
Meredith: We'll see.
Cindy, one of the shop owners, welcomed me inside The Fashion Corner.
I came here often. One of the things I loved most about the store was that it catered to all sizes and body shapes.
They brought bigger sizes for most of their collections.
I hated that most department stores only stocked up to size ten or twelve.
They looked at me like I was an elephant every time I asked for a 14W.
More often than not, they gave me a cold smile and said I should probably try my luck at plus-size stores.
I'd been through enough of those in my lifetime.
They usually didn't have what I liked. Most of the collections found in plus-size stores looked like huge tents or blankets.
They had no shape whatsoever. They were designed to hide.
In my opinion, they simply magnified anyone's size.
Cindy smiled at me. "Meredith, it's so good to see you again. What are you looking for today?"
"I'm going to a family dinner on Saturday, and I'd like a cute outfit."
"Are your parents celebrating something? Did your sister give birth?" I was a regular, and they knew everything that went on with my family.
"No, it's not my family."
“You've got a boyfriend?"
I cleared my throat, but my smile betrayed me. "I'm seeing someone. I wouldn't call him my boyfriend."
"But you're meeting his family. I'm sensing you're getting your wires crossed."
I laughed nervously. "It's complicated, but we’re having a good time together, and I'd like to wear something nice to the dinner.
But not fancy. It's just a dinner at home.
" Remembering the Whitleys, I knew they didn't make a fuss, although a lot of time had passed, and Cade seemed to live in suits.
I assumed his brothers did as well. Maybe they were more formal now. "On second thought, let me check."
I texted Cade quickly.
Meredith: What's the dress code? Do you guys wear a suit at dinner?
He replied right away.
Cade: I'll only exchange that information if you promise to send me pictures.
Heat pulsed between my thighs. He was a master at negotiations. I didn’t want to give in, but I had to know.
Meredith: You've got a deal.
Cade: We wear casual clothes. Jeans, polo shirts, sweaters. That kind of thing.
I looked up. "Casual. I'm thinking a dress that looks Christmassy? But no, it's too early for that."
"Girl, it's already Thanksgiving. As soon as pumpkin season's over, Santa Claus is here."
I laughed. It was one of the reasons I loved her. She liked Christmas as much as I did.
"I’d love to see some sweaterdresses.” They were my go-to in the cold weather season.
"You got it. Why don't you go to the changing room, and I'll bring you some outfits to choose from."
"Thank you."
I went inside a dressing room and took off my clothes, leaving on my tights.
I tried a few poses, but I looked ridiculous like this.
Nothing spelled unsexy more than wool tights, but it was the weather for them.
I couldn't go out wearing sheer ones or I'd freeze my legs off.
I made exceptions, like when I went on dates and wore sexy lingerie paired with sheer hose that reached to my upper thighs, but that was about it.