Chapter Twenty Six
CADE
Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to find my woman because Harley, the committee head, walked up onstage and spoke into the microphone. "Welcome, everyone. Please take a seat at your respective tables. We’re going to announce the winners soon."
I looked at my table and noticed that half my team was already here. Meredith was still not at her table. I called her again as I walked to my seat, but she didn't pick up. Damn it, I wanted to talk to her. She needed to know I would fix this, that I’d never let anything happen to her.
As I sat down, John addressed me. "Sorry we're late, boss. There was a long line at drop-off, and the cab refused to let us get out until we reached the entrance."
Harley walked onstage again.
"Okay, I think everyone's here. We had a few mishaps at the drop-off line. We’re sorry for that.
We didn't account for everyone arriving at the same time.
I'm happy we've all gathered here together. It's been a couple of interesting months. My colleagues and I had a hard time evaluating all your product lines. That’s a compliment to all of you for having such quality blends. Even those of you tonight who aren’t finalists should be proud of your products. "
I personally considered it cruel to invite companies that were already disqualified, but it worked for me. It meant I could share tonight with Meredith. I was getting impatient; I wanted Harley to announce the winner and be done with it.
I couldn't believe it. I'd looked forward to this evening ever since the competition was announced, but now I was ready for it to be over.
I finally caught sight of Meredith as she sat down next to Sonya.
She was so far across the room that I couldn't see her properly, but I managed to catch her attention.
I held up my phone. She shook her head. I knew she was trying to be professional, and I was tempting her.
I was going to catch up with her as soon as possible.
But simply seeing her helped my mood. My pulse slowed. I could finally focus on the presenter.
"All right. As you know, we have only one award, but we'll do the honorable mentions first. Now I'll get to it right away. I've kept you all in suspense for long enough." Yes, she fucking had. “For honorable mentions, we have the following…”
She called the names of the other businesses and competitors.
I was so fucking happy that Alfred's company hadn't even made that.
He was among the finalists, so in theory, he could still win.
But I knew in my gut, he wouldn't. His products weren't top-notch.
I was honestly surprised he'd made it this far in the competition. I kept my eyes locked on the stage.
We had to win. For my grandparents and for my family’s legacy.
"And the winner is… Whitley Industries with The Boston Coffee Expert. A round of applause, please. I would like to welcome Cade Whitley to the stage to say a couple words."
Fuck yes. I looked around at my team, congratulating them.
"Well done, everyone." I stood up. "Well done." They all clapped, smiling.
I didn't register anyone else in the room. Except Meredith. I looked straight at her as I walked up to the stage. The presenter gave me a gold plaque. I didn't have time to read what was on it. I lowered it, grasping it tightly in my left hand. I spoke into the microphone.
"Thank you, everyone. This is a great honor.
I'll be honest, I was looking forward to stepping up on this stage ever since the competition started.
" Several people in the audience laughed, but I heard some groans too.
"As some of you might know, The Boston Coffee Expert had a couple of rough years, but since I took over, I made it my life's ambition to restore the quality to what it was during my grandfather's time.
I'm dedicating this prize to him and my grandmother. "
I wished they were here, but I’d instructed Rupert, my VP of sales, to film this so I could send it to them.
I looked at our table, nodding and holding out the plaque toward my team. "Thanks to everyone on my team. They’re all dedicated hard workers and stuck with me every inch of the way. Thank you."
I nodded at the presenter, stepping down from the stage and walking toward my table.
“Congratulations, Cade. I already sent the video to your grandparents,” Rupert said.
“Thank you.” I shook hands with everyone. They’d put a lot of effort into the competition. We’d had a discouraging few months, what with the mishap in Jacksonville. Rupert himself had joined me there. He’d found the subcontractor who ended up saving our asses. I was proud of my team.
My phone rang a few seconds later. My grandmother was calling. I answered right away.
"Cade, we are so proud of you. Even if you didn't win, we would still be proud of everything you've done,” she said.
“And the man you’ve become,” Grandfather added. “Congratulations, boy.”
Both their voices were uneven. My throat closed up, hearing this high praise from the two people who meant so much to me.
“Thank you both. I did it for you, for us.” As I put the plaque on the table, I searched for Meredith across the room. I wanted her here with me to share the celebration. I was damn proud to be celebrating with my grandparents and my team, but something was missing.
Meredith was missing.
MEREDITH
I was clapping so hard that my palms were itching.
"I knew he'd win," Sonya said.
"I had the feeling too.” I nodded in full agreement. I hadn't hoped he would win just because the product deserved it, but also because I knew how much it meant to him. How I wished I could be closer to celebrate with him.
"I was hoping that ass wouldn’t win," Alfred said behind us.
Sonya sighed. I was taking my cues from her, and it seemed even she was unhappy having to schmooze with him.
Were we supposed to keep this up the whole evening?
I was already exhausted from my previous interaction with him.
Why did he come over to our table again anyway if all he could do was be negative?
"I'm going to have a word with the committee afterward. It's unacceptable that I didn't even get an honorable mention," Alfred said.
What a sore loser!
"I'm going to get another cocktail,” Sonya said, standing up from her chair. "Anyone else want something?"
She couldn’t keep ghosting me whenever Alfred approached. Arthur and our VP of sales went with her, once again leaving me with him.
To my dismay, Alfred sat down in the chair Sonya vacated. I put on my poker face. I only had to keep the charade up for a bit longer.
"Meredith, how do you feel about not even making it to the last stage?"
Is that a trick question? “Disappointed, of course. But the caliber of participants was very high.”
"You’re a diplomat. Might make a good asset on my team after all."
"Oh?" I asked in surprise. For some reason, I'd warmed to the idea of looking for a new place to work, just because Alfred seemed like an asshole.
“Whitley’s a dog. He’s not serious about you.”
I blinked, sitting up straighter. I felt as if he'd slapped me.
"You spoke with Cade?"
"Yes, he cornered me at the bar, and one thing led to another."
Cade would never tell him our relationship wasn’t serious. He just wouldn’t.
“Anyway, the guy is an ass. He probably just used you to get information on Sonya.”
I was so sick of Alfred. I knew Cade, and this couldn't be further from the truth. His company could buy Sonya's tenfold. He didn't care about the strategies of a minor competitor.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to go to the restroom." I took my bag, hurrying out of the room. I suddenly felt like I couldn't get any air. I couldn’t be around Alfred any longer. He was completely toxic.
And he was wrong. Maybe he hadn’t made up talking to Cade, but just misunderstood. No, I was sure Alfred misconstrued it all and twisted the conversation to his benefit.
Then again… Cade and I had never spoken about where this relationship was going. Hell, we weren't even referring to it as a relationship.
I took in a deep breath when I stepped into the dark corridor, needing to calm down a bit. There was too much commotion in the ballroom. I felt like I couldn't even hear my own thoughts.
Cade cares about you, Meredith. He said you’re important to him. That you’re part of him. That’s all you need to know.
Still, caring about someone didn’t mean you were ready for a relationship, or that you wanted to commit.
Holy shit. I was all jittery.
Come on, Meredith. This isn't the time to have a meltdown. Put your big girl panties on.
But I couldn't do it. I couldn't give myself a pep talk and walk back inside. I needed to get out of here.
I took my phone out of my purse, forcing myself to take deep breaths. As I shot Sonya a message, I also realized I had about six missed calls from Cade.
Meredith: Not feeling well. Do you mind if I take off?
Sonya: No, you go. I might do the same thing. I can't seem to get rid of Alfred.
Well, good luck selling him the company. Even she couldn't stand him.
My mind was racing. God! Was Cade not ready for a relationship? He'd told me repeatedly that he hadn't had anything like this with anyone before. I took it as a romantic sign, but what if what he actually meant was that he wasn't ready for more?
I wanted to be here for Cade and celebrate with him. And yet I knew the second I was face-to-face with him, I’d question him about the conversation with Alfred. I didn’t want to ruin this evening for him. We could talk another time. But I couldn’t stay here.
Since everyone was still in the ballroom, there was no line at the coatroom.
I got mine right away and tightened it around my middle, then put on my beanie as well before I stepped outside.
The cold whipped my face as I looked for a car.
I finally went to the doorman and asked, "Where are all the cabs?
" There had been a million of them dropping off guests when I arrived.
"I'll call one for you, miss. They're one block down there." He pointed to the left.
"Thank you." No way in hell was I walking that distance. I'd freeze. I closed my eyes because the wind made them watery.
It already smelled like winter and Christmas—which was in two days. The first snow wasn't too far away. I was always right about that.
I took in another deep breath. Christmas and winter were usually my happy places. They gave me good vibes, and I needed all the good vibes I could get right now.