He peers at me over the rim of his cup as he swallows down his coffee. “Not really. It’s about a twenty-minute drive.”
“I’ll make sure to set my alarm early then.” This is happening. I don’t care that I’ll probably swelter in the summer sun. I want this job, feet be damned.
Cayden smirks—always smirking—as he places his mug on the counter. He leans over until we’re a hair’s breadth away from touching. “Trying to impress the boss already?”
Technically, he is my boss, but there is no way I’m going to change my attitude and obey a word he says. Where’s the fun in that? “The boss knows I’m not a kiss ass. In fact, I think he likes that I can hold my own.”
Cayden nods, tonguing his upper lip. “Yes, he does.” Digging into his back pocket, he produces a single key hanging off a silver keychain. “I don’t doubt your independence, and I’m not questioning if you can make it to work on your own or not, but here, take my truck.” I am about to object, but he silences me as he reaches for my hand. Unfurling my protesting fingers, he places the key into my palm. “I don’t want you late on your first day.” This is clearly not open for discussion.
Curling my fingers around his, I squeeze gently, ignoring the butterflies which take flight. “Thank you. It’s only short term.”
“I know,” he replies, his voice hoarse. We’re openly holding hands. Who knew holding someone’s hand could be this exhilarating? But this feeling has nothing to do with the action and everything to do with the person.
“Wow, it seems today is full of surprises.” That wasn’t supposed to be voiced aloud, but it’s anarchy within my mind as I’m flabbergasted that Cayden hasn’t pulled his hand away.
He does the complete opposite and tightens his hold. “Why’s that?”
With breakfast long forgotten, I decide to share the details of my phone call. “Stella called me this morning.”
“Oh?”
“She invited me to dinner next Saturday. Apparently, she has a surprise for me.” I shudder at the thought.
“A surprise?” he asks, his expression akin to mine. “She didn’t say what?”
I shake my head. “No, but a surprise from Stella can’t be good. She’s the type of mom who, to surprise her child, would hire a clown for their birthday party. What type of sicko would surprise their child with a freaking clown? Deranged sociopaths, that’s who.”
Cayden’s lips twitch, but I’m serious. Nothing good can come from this surprise. I can feel it in my bones. “Lucky you have my truck then.” He squeezes my hand before eventually letting go. “You can leave whenever you feel uncomfortable.”
“Thank you. I owe you. For everything,” I add. He’s just offered me a job and his truck in the span of a minute.
But once again, he amazes me when reaches out to brush away a stray strand of hair that has slipped free. “You don’t owe me anything. Just come back home.” His finger lingers, tracing along the apple of my cheek. I don’t know when we crossed this line, but I’m not about to question it because this is the first time in forever I have felt rooted with both feet in this world.
“I promise.” The fact that he has referred to this house as my home warms me beyond belief because I have felt like an outsider for so long.
My assurance seems to appease whatever worries he has. “Good. Now, let’s finish breakfast. I have a feeling you’ll need your strength.”
“Why?” I drag out the Y, suddenly nervous.
“Because I have a few things I need to take care of at the office. Want to come with me? I could introduce you to Penny.”
“But it’s Saturday,” I counter.
“I know, but this new project, the worksite you saw in town, is big, and time isn’t on our side. My staff is just as eager as I am to see the back of it, and we’re working around the clock to make that happen. So when Penny broke her arm, it goes without saying that we were all screwed. But now…I have you.”
When he pins me with those eyes, I can’t say no. And besides, the thought of starting a new job is exciting beyond words. “Yes, you do.” I mean that in more ways than one. “Okay, I’m in.”
His happiness is unmistakable, which has me smiling like an idiot.
“I just have to shower. I wouldn’t want to turn up on my first day looking like this.” I sweep my hand downward. It was supposed to be a joke, but when Cayden licks his full upper lip, I suddenly wish I’d kept my mouth shut.
“You look fine to me.”
I don’t feel fine. Quite frankly, I’m anything but fine. However, I’ll be damned if I let him know that. “Well, in that case…” I toss back my coffee, hinting I’m ready to leave whenever he’s done. Just as I place my mug into the sink, he grips my wrist with a grin.
“Go get dressed.” He rubs his thumb over my thrashing pulse.
Pouting, I feign innocence. “But you said—”
“Go,” he interrupts, shaking his head at my brashness. “I’ll wait for the delivery guys. They should be here any minute.”
Sighing, I blow the hair from my cheeks dramatically. “Okay, boss.”
I’m expecting Cayden to let me go, but he does the complete opposite. He tightens his hold. “Make sure you wear something”—my flesh chars when his gaze skims down my body—“more,” he settles on before finally letting me go.
I stagger backward, the intensity of his look almost bowling me over.
His choice of words sings to my out-of-control fever. More. That’s exactly how I feel. And what I want. More.
But now, what I need more of is a cold shower.
Afraid of what I’ll say if I attempt a wisecrack, I instead steal Cayden’s mug with a grin. He watches me, thoroughly amused as I sip my stolen coffee and coolly walk out of the kitchen.
Distracting myself, I hunt through my wardrobe, wondering what to wear. Now that I’ve culled my closet, I’m a little limited with my choices, but a striking peacock-colored summer dress catches my eye. Cayden did say more, and this is more…so much more.
I shower in record time, unsure if my excitement is due to the fact that I’ll be spending the day with Cayden or if it’s because I’m starting a new job. I decide to embrace both possibilities because each option is as exciting as the other.
Once my hair is dry, I decide to knot it into a low chignon. Reaching for the blue ribbon off my dresser, I fasten it tightly around the bun. As I peer at my reflection in the mirror, I suddenly wish the ribbon was red. But I shake aside such thoughts because today is about starting new.
My makeup is light as the dress is a statement on its own. I slip into a pair of sandals, then add a spritz of my favorite honeysuckle perfume to my wrists. Taking one last look at myself in the mirror, I almost don’t recognize who I see. This person looks like me, but I’ve not seen the smile she’s wearing before. She looks happy.
Not wanting to jinx myself, I stuff all the things I might need, including my laptop, into a bag and make my way down the hallway. The hem of my flowy dress floats behind me, adding to the sensation of taking flight and being free.
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” I hear Cayden say to whom I’m assuming is a delivery guy. “Make sure you drop off the tiles tomorrow.”
“It appears there really is no rest for the wicked,” I quip as I round the corner, seeing Cayden and a young deliveryman. “Monday will be fine.” The stranger’s eyes widen in appreciation of what he sees, and Cayden inhales sharply. I’m quietly saddened he’s no longer topless.