Page 70 of Unofficial

"Look at you being all fancy. You're famous now that you've gotten the Historical Society to agree to four businesses in the old downtown district. I'm not sure you want to be seen with a lowly peasant like me."

Pulling out her phone, she slides over and sucks on his earlobe. "I'll always want to be seen with you."

His body shivers. "God, I wish I would've let you convince me to order in pizza instead."

"But I thought you didn't want me to break my convictions," she says and holds the phone up to her ear.

"Certain parts of me want you to," he says, adjusting his jeans.

She smirks, happy he's as uncomfortable as she is, when the hostess answers. "Carrie's, this is Melinda. How can I help you?"

"Hi, Melinda. This is Jessica Massey, and a friend of Carrie's. Is she available to speak with?"

"It's the middle of our dinner rush, Ms. Massey."

"I understand. She said to ask for her when I call."

Melinda sighs, annoyed. "Please hold."

"Even I can hear how unhappy that girl is," Kade says.

"Maybe I'm not as famous as I thought I was."

The hold music stops. "I apologize Ms. Massey. Carrie's unable to come to the phone, but she asked me to ask you when you'd like to stop in."

"Is there any availability tonight? I know it's last minute, but-"

"We'll have a table ready whenever you get here. Just ask for me, and I'll make sure you get seated."

"Thank you, Melinda."

Hanging up, her eyes widen as Kade's jaw drops. "My girl's got connections!"

My girl. She likes the sound of that. "Watch yourself now."

His hand reaches over to take hers, and he quickly drives to the restaurant. The way he rubs his thumb along her knuckles as he pays attention to the traffic makes her heart flutter. There is no doubt about it: she's still madly in love with Kade Finely.

He makes quick work of parking, and they hop out. Jess takes his hand in hers and stops him. "This is my treat tonight."

"You don't have to do that," he says, pulling her close and walking her towards the building.

"You bought me groceries and did laundry while I was sick. It's the least I can do. Besides, you've had a pretty emotionally heavy night."

Kade moves them to the side of the building and presses her up against it before kissing her. His hands rub along her sides and grace her chest slightly before pulling back. His kisses always seem to leave her lightheaded, and she looks up into his eyes.

"What was that for?"

"For being you."

Her hand reaches up to pull his face down to kiss her again. "Thank you for finally letting me in, Kade. You have no idea how much it means to me."

"If we don't get inside, we're not going to get a table to eat," he murmurs against her ear. "And for the record, I really do want you to keep your convictions. Parts of me don't, but my heart does. Just know I have always and will always want you."

Hearing him say those words makes her tremble, and she wishes they'd stayed home and ordered pizza once again. "We should get inside."

He smirks and opens the door. A redheaded woman stands at the hostess stand with a nametag that reads Melinda.

"Welcome to Carrie's. Do you have a reservation?"

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