Genuine? I’d been anything but over the last few weeks. Or had I? Maybe this job had just brought a different part of me to the surface. “Thank you. I’ve loved my time here, and regardless of what happens with the part-time position, I’d love to continue volunteering.” And that was the truth. The thought of not being here anymore kind of depressed me.
Victoria smiled. “We’d love to have you.” She tapped a stack of papers and smiled. “Off the record, you received quite the glowing recommendation.”
“Oh?” Heat rose in my face and my palms dampened.
“Yes, one of the best I’ve seen in a long time.” She glanced down at the paper in her hands. “From Cade—” There was a knock on the door and it opened.
“I’m sorry to interrupt but we have a bit of a situation.” Oscar rubbed his neck. “We need you in the playroom. Now.”
“Oh dear.” Victoria stood. “We were just wrapping up. Fallon, it was a pleasure meeting with you and I will be in contact with you in the coming weeks.” She rushed out the door but I couldn’t move.
He’d done it. After knowing how much I wanted this position on my own merit, he’d still gone and said something to Victoria. Maybe I should have been thankful or flattered, clearly he did it to be helpful, but would I really be anything more than the girl who fucked her way to the top? Dammit. I did not want to be that girl. Sure I joked about doing stuff like that, but not here. Not this time. And what kind of crazy irony was it that the very thing Claudia tried to use against me would still be the reason why everyone thought I got this job? It was like no matter what, my reputation was bound to screw me over. Or was that a part of the plan? When she failed to “reveal my true nature,” did she resort to permanently tarnishing my work image? Slapping a stigma over my name that wouldn’t be easy to shake?
Tears pricked my eyes but I swallowed them back. I didn’t even have the job yet. Maybe his recommendation wouldn’t matter.
In a haze, I left the room and didn’t notice Lindsey and Blake until I’d practically run into them.
“Hey, how was the interview?” Lindsey asked.
Blake held her hand. So her news hadn’t broken them up.
“It was great. Victoria had a situation and had to leave though. Are you waiting for yours?”
“Yeah. Blake has his next.” She smiled over at him.
“Well, good luck.”
“Thanks.” Blake glanced at Lindsey then back at me. “But just so you know, I’m no longer interested in the fall position.”
That snapped me out of my daze. “What? Why not?”
“Well, it seems I’ve kind of fallen for this girl who plans on running halfway around the world without me.”
Lindsey grinned. “He applied for the study abroad program.”
“Cost me a shit-ton in late application fees and resulted in nothing more than being wait-listed, but there’s a chance I might get to go.” He tugged Lindsey closer. “It wouldn’t be right to take the position here if there’s a chance I won’t be around for it.”
Holy shit. Blake really had it bad for Lindsey. “Wow. That’s awesome.”
He shrugged. “I can’t let her run off to England without me. All those Brits with their damn accents, she might never come back.”
She nudged him. “I’m coming back, and it’s only four months.”
“Only?” he grumbled.
It was such a role reversal, seeing Lindsey all self-assured while Blake pined for her. Maybe Lindsey hadn’t landed the fall position but she’d gained something much bigger.
“So I guess this leaves just Claudia and me in the running.”
Lindsey met my gaze. “I hope it’s you.”
“Thanks.”
“Let me know when you find out.” She squeezed my arm. “Whatever happens though, we all know you deserve it.”
“Yeah, I heard she’s trying to get that therapy dog guy to give her a recommendation,” Blake scoffed. “And a rec from him is like a free pass. Such bullshit.”
Oh God.
“And I’m sorry to say, but if Cade gives her one I’m seriously going to wonder how that came about.” Lindsey rolled her eyes.
Blake nodded. “A favor for a favor.”
“Cade’s not like that,” I blurted. Heat flushed my chest, and I shrugged. “At least, I don’t think so. I guess we’ll see what happens though.”
Lindsey studied me for a second. “I’m sorry. I forgot you and Cade are friends.”
I fidgeted with my badge hanging from my pocket.
“I had lunch with you two that day, I should have remembered. I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m sure he’s not a bad guy. I just don’t trust her, you know? But it will all be fine because I’m sure you’ll get the position.” She smiled. “Call me and we can celebrate.”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. For sure.”
We said a quick goodbye and I headed out.
I wasn’t sure what time Cade would try to call or if he even would, but I’d decided to talk to him. Mostly because I was pissed he’d said something to Victoria and I needed to get to the bottom of everything, especially now that it was known how the rest of the interns felt about his recommendations. The fucked-up part was, it wouldn’t just be gossip; they could actually prove I’d hooked up with him. Dammit.
Later that day, I spoke with Brinley who confirmed the necessity of talking to him. Of course, she didn’t see anything wrong with him putting in a good word if he meant it. But that was kind of the question now, wasn’t it? But Brinley didn’t buy his involvement in the Claudia crap. Having spent time with the two of us at the club, she believed his interest to be genuine. It gave me hope that she was right. Of course, Brinley also thought I should apologize and try to work things out, but she probably clung to the hope of this relationship working even more than I did. Okay that was an exaggeration; nobody wished it could work out more than I did.
My phone finally chimed with a text that evening.
Cade: Scout and I are at the park. Meet me there to talk?
My stomach knotted as I typed my response.
Me: OK.
I slipped on my shoes, checked my hair in the mirror then headed out. I crossed the street to the park and saw Cade throwing the red ball for Scout.
Scout ran to fetch it then rushed back to deposit it at Cade’s feet.
Cade picked it up and tossed it again.
“Hi.” I walked up next to him.
“Hey.” He rubbed his shoulder. “My arm will fall off before Scout ever tires.”
I smiled. “He does love that red ball.”
Scout came running back and dropped it at my feet. I tossed it for him.
“Uh-oh. You’ve just committed to a three-hour game of fetch.” Cade offered a half-smile that made me want to tug his mouth to mine.
It was so hard to be upset with him when he looked—
“So how was your interview?”
And that reminder brought me back to reality. I crossed my arms.
Cade picked up the ball for Scout. “Does that mean not well? Or do you not want to talk about it?”
“Did you give any recommendations for this position?”
He tossed the ball. “So I see you’ve heard those Claudia rumors too?”
I stiffened.
“I didn’t give her a recommendation if that’s what you’re getting at.”
Those rumors. My body relaxed a bit.
“I wouldn’t do that. You deserve that position way more than she does.” He turned to me. “And I’m not just saying that because, you know, we are dating…were dating. Whatever.” Scout deposited the ball and he snatched it back up.
“So did you give me a recommendation?”
He paused with his arm up, ball in hand. He slowly lowered his arm. “I’d have been happy to, but I thought you didn’t want me to.”
“I didn’t.” I huffed. “Look, I appreciate the sentiment but, dammit, no one will believe I deserve the position. Hell, I don’t even know i
f I do since a recommendation from you is like some sort of golden ticket.” I rubbed my forehead. “Why didn’t you tell me, Cade?”
“Tell you what?”
“About your family. The park. Everything.”
“So is this what it’s been about? Why you’ve been avoiding me?”
“It’s everything. I just don’t know who you are, why you’re interested in me. I’m just so confused.”
“Then let’s talk about it.”
“How do I know what to believe?”
“Because I’ve never lied to you.” He took a step toward me.
I stepped back. “Or it’s all been a lie.”
“I just don’t even get where this came from. I thought things were good between us.”
“Just the way Claudia wanted?”
“Claudia? What does she have to do with this? I told you I didn’t write a recommendation for her.”
“Did she put you up to this?”
“Up to what?”
“This. Us. Did she tell you to pretend to like me?” The tears were coming back and I hated my weakness. “And if this was all for her, why did you still recommend me to Victoria? Did she put you up to that as well?” I shook my head. “I just don’t understand any of it. What’s going on?”
He reached out to me, his eyes clouded with confusion and worry. “I didn’t talk to Victoria about you.”
“Stop lying.” I stepped away. “Just stop pretending.”
He stepped forward and grabbed my shoulders. “I’m not lying. I don’t know what the hell you are talking about. I promise you this is real. You know it’s real.” He tipped his head forward and kissed me.
Something cracked inside me. Like maybe he was telling the truth about Claudia, but why was he lying about the recommendation to Victoria? She’d specifically told me it came from him.
I slipped my arms under his and shoved his hands off me.
And then, as if in slow motion, the red ball he’d been holding slipped free of his hand, hit the curb and bounced into the street. My heart stalled as Scout raced after it. Cade’s shout was drowned by the car honking and tires screeching. There was a yelp. And then silence.
Chapter 18
Blood pumped into my ringing ears and my hand covered my mouth as I stood frozen.
Cade was in motion and my feet moved after him. He fell to his knees next to Scout.
A guy stepped out of his car. Apologies flew from him, but my mind couldn’t wrap around the situation. Cade mumbled something at the limp pile of fur lying before him. And my vision blurred with tears.
Scout whimpered and I snapped out of my trance. He was still alive.
“Cade, I’ll get my car.”
He looked up, shock and panic filled his eyes. “Hurry.” He turned back to Scout and gently comforted him.
The man who’d hit him tried to talk to me but I waved him off. “It’s not your fault.” Because it was mine.
I ran across the street, to the parking lot, thankful my keys were tucked into my pocket, and jumped into my car. It’s a miracle I didn’t hit anything as I pulled out to where Cade sat with Scout. I threw the car in park and opened the back door.
Cade gingerly picked up his dog, and slipped into the backseat. Between comforting Scout, he rattled off directions and called the vet’s office, told them what had happened and let them know we were on our way.
I got them there as fast as I could while trying not to think about what had just happened. It was too much to accept. If Scout didn’t make it, I’d get to live with the knowledge I’d killed him.
I stopped in front of the building and opened the door for Cade.
“I’ll meet you inside,” he said.
And I couldn’t hide the shock that he even wanted me in there with him, but I was his ride so I couldn’t exactly leave.
When I walked in, Cade sat in a lobby chair with his head in his hands. He looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “They took him back.”
I bit my lip and nodded. My throat tightened and I paced a bit in front of Cade. Wanting to apologize but not sure if it even mattered. He had to hate me for what happened. My lips trembled and tears pricked the corners of my eyes.
Half an hour ago, I wasn’t sure where we were headed, but I guess somewhere deep inside my subconscious there was still the hope that somehow everything could ultimately work out. But now…The cards were out of my hands. It wasn’t about me being confused and upset. It was him, hating me for what I’d done. The finality of the moment pressed my chest so tight I could barely breathe. My lungs couldn’t pull air in and my heart literally hurt.
I’d been so stupid, listening to rumors and refusing to give him a chance to explain. And now it was too late.
I spun to Cade. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault and—”
He grabbed my hand and tugged me into his lap. With both arms wrapped around me, he nuzzled his head into my hair, and whispered, “It’s not your fault.”
“Yeah, it is.” My voice cracked.
“No, it’s not. Scout’s very well trained. I could have yelled ‘heel’ or ‘come,’ anything to stop him. But I froze.”
“None of that would have mattered if I hadn’t knocked the ball into the street. Really, Cade, you can be mad or hate me. I understand.”
“I don’t blame you. I’m scared. Worried. But not mad.” He kissed my temple. “And, Fallon, I could never hate you. This probably isn’t the right time to say this, or hell, maybe it’s the perfect time. Really, I thought you knew, but our conversation earlier made me realize you have no idea how much you mean to me.”
I pulled back and looked at him. “But…”
He glanced at the lady sitting at a nearby desk and pulled me back to him. He spoke just above a whisper. “I don’t know what’s been going on, but the thought of you ending things when they were just getting started tears me apart. And for the last week, I’ve seen it coming. I tried to give you space but I knew where it was headed, but please just wait. I can’t hear it tonight. Pretend we are okay for one more day.”
Oh my God. If I thought my heart couldn’t be more broken tonight, I’d been wrong. And I knew right then he had nothing to do with Claudia’s little game. Everything between us had been real, and now I needed to fix it. We needed to talk, to work through things, but most importantly…we needed each other.
I threw my arm around his neck and whispered into his ear. “I never want things to end with you.”
“Thank you.” He leaned back, eyes closed, with me cradled in his lap.
I placed my hand on his cheek, the slight stubble rough against my palm. “I’m not pretending.”
His eyes cracked open. “But for the last week you’ve been—”
“Stupid.” I rested my head on his chest. “An idiot. I tried to keep our relationship out of the gossip, yet still managed to get wrapped up in it. I should have talked with you. It was stupid not to, but I was confused and closed you out. It’s always been easier to turn off emotions than let them carry me away.”
“Your heart.” I glanced up and he ran his finger down my cheek. “You may say you turn off emotions but I see you. Like when you’re talking with the kids at work, in those unguarded moments I see your heart and it’s beautiful.”
“Cade, getting lost in someone else can be such a scary thing, but I want you to know with you it’s not so scary because I also feel…” I searched for the right word, something that could accurately express the way he made me feel, weightless and safe all at the same time. And then it came to me. “Anchored.”
He placed his finger under my chin and gently tilted it up, his gaze locked on mine. And just as he opened his mouth to speak, the vet stepped through a side door.
His gaze shifted to the woman in the scrubs and I slid off his lap so he could stand.
He approached the doctor. “How’s Scout?”
I held my breath and said a silent prayer.
“The bad news is he broke his leg and has a head in
jury. The good news, he’ll be okay.”
Cade’s shoulders visibly relaxed and he reached for my hand.
“He needs some recovery time, and we don’t want him running around just yet. We’ll need to keep him a few days for monitoring. But we expect him to fully recover and be back to himself in no time.” She smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Honestly, you got lucky. There’s no internal bleeding and one break is not too bad considering he took on a car.”
“Can we see him?” Cade asked.
“Sure.” She held open the door for us.
I hung back. “I can just wait here.”
With a gentle tug, Cade urged me through the door.
Scout lay on a blanket in the corner of the room.
“He’s pretty out of it from pain meds.” The vet knelt down and ran her hand along his back. “We’ll be keeping a good eye on him though and my tech is preparing everything for me to cast his leg.” She stood and stepped out to give Cade a moment.
“Hey, boy.” Cade squatted next to Scout.
The very tip of his tail waved and his eyelids cracked open but he didn’t raise his head.
I sat next to Cade and rubbed Scout’s ears. His tongue whipped out as he licked my forearm.
“Told you he loves you. I barely get a tail wag and you get a kiss.”
“I’m glad he doesn’t hate me.” I kissed Scout’s head and his tail moved a bit more. “And that he’s okay.”
Cade gave him one last pat then said, “We’ll see you soon, buddy.” He stood and pulled me up. “It’s hard leaving him here.”
“I know. But it’s good the doctor can keep an eye on him.”
Cade nodded, sighed, then led me back toward the waiting room. The vet stood at the desk speaking with the receptionist.
“Are you heading out?” she asked.
“Yeah. Will you keep me posted if anything changes?”
“Of course, and either way I will call you tomorrow to give you an update. We can see how he’s doing and probably figure out how long he needs to stay. I’m thinking just a few days, but we will have a better idea come morning.”
Just a Little Flirt Page 19