Page 149 of The Sweetest Devotion

Jadyn had worn a cozy looking maroon sweater and jeans. I was only supposed to be stopping by, so I’d dressed in a hoodie and leggings. I felt out of place as I removed my baseball cap and settled in my seat next to Cain. Worse, I was antsy over Keith. I didn’t know his number by heart to sneak and call him to let him know I wouldn’t be coming. I hated to think he was at home waiting on me.

“Well, look who it is!” My father’s voice boomed into the room as he came in on his electric wheelchair.

To further hide my father’s condition, my parents had installed a lift onto the back staircase, helping him be able to be transported from the first and second floor without being seen.

Jadyn took my father in for the first time since he’d been diagnosed and her face broke out into a smile as she rose from her chair. She went and hugged him close. Prior to recent events, my parents had always adored Jadyn.

“You’re looking sharp,” my father appraised Jay.

My best friend blinked back tears. “So are you. I’ve missed you, Damon. It’s good to see you.”

On Jadyn’s side of the table, Vino and Beans had joined us reluctantly. Unlike Cain, they didn’t remove their jackets. Down time or not, they were still carrying.

Irene helped my father get situated at the table and I could tell by the grimace on my mother’s face she was anxious to step in.

“Now, everyone good?” my father asked.

Everyone murmured that they were.

“Good, let’s eat,” my father announced.

Around the table everyone began passing dishes. There were meatballs and pasta for the meat eaters, along with chicken marsala, a house salad, and tomato mozzarella bruschetta. My mother had gotten shrimp paesano for my benefit.

As good as it tasted, I could barely eat a bite. Not when I was supposed to be in Bedford making dinner with Keith.

“So, Cain, where are you from?” Jadyn asked. She had this innocent look to her,but I knew she was digging for me.

“Kinda feels like I’m from all over. I spent some time in Inglewood, Lindenwood?—”

“And now you’re inthisneck of the woods,” my father joked.

His corny dad joke gathered a round of light chuckles.

“Right.” Cain offered a loose smile. “Where are you from, Jadyn?”

“Bedford Heights,” Jadyn chirped up proudly.“BH all day.”

Cain tipped his head. “Good area.”

Jadyn agreed. “It’s not too far from here, which I can handle when it comes to K.” Her eyes drank me in and a sadness touched them. “Just promise me you two won’t move to Vegas on me.”

Cain ran his hand up and down my arm, a silk caress that left me startled and stiff. “I mostly run Cartier from here. I do fly out to do walk-throughs and make sure things are on the up-and-up, but I have no intention of moving Kennedy away from her family.”

I forced a shrimp into my mouth and attempted to focus on the garlic goodness to keep my face even.

“How long have you and Kennedy been friends?” Cain asked next.

“We met freshman year at UCLA. We both tried the whole sorority thing and realized it wasn’t for us,” Jadyn confessed. “Butweclicked, though, so we’ve been friends ever since.”

“UCLA? What were you studying?”

“She’s an aspiring filmmaker,” my father spoke up thoughtfully. He’d always admired Jadyn’s ambition as well. “She’s going to be the next big thing.”

“As soon as she lets us hand over a script,” my mother teased.

Jadyn blushed and shrugged in Cain’s direction. “My dream is to direct and write, and as much as I appreciate the Nicholses and their support, I kinda just want to make it on my own.”

“Nothing wrong with a little help,” Cain responded.

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