Page 59 of Love, Hate, Love

He pointed to the fridge, the muscles on his arms flexing even with that small movement. It was like life was just trying to screw with me now.

“I grabbed something at the bunkhouse already, but thanks.” I’d been eating there every night before trying to sneak back in here and avoid eating with Kade. Why? Because this nice Kade was even more dangerous than asshole Kade.

He nodded, still watching me. We’d barely seen each other in days, said only a handful of words, and yet there was this strange shift in our energy that was impossible to ignore. If someone asked me what it was, there wasn’t any clear way to describe it. It was almost like we’d stumbled upon a well-worn pathway into a forest but only taken a step or two on the trail, not sure what lay within those woods.

I came out a half an hour later to a mug sitting on the counter, while he sipped his own.

“I made you some tea,” he said.

“Oh, thanks.” Did I mention it was like we were both wearing ill-fitting shoes as we took those first couple steps? Like mine were two sizes too big and his were pinching his feet.

I took the peace offering, or whatever it was. In no universe was this just a bag of leaves steeped in hot water.

I took a step toward the office. He nodded, following me.

My first call was to my mother; I figured I’d get the worst over with. I was handed a small miracle when she said she was at a function and couldn’t talk.

Monroe was the second call, and short and sweet. He couldn’t get off the phone fast enough, dodging my questions about the new loan. As long as he managed to hold on to the place, I’d worry about the details after this whole ordeal was over. If it came down to selling a kidney, I’d deal with it then.

The door to the office was open, but Kade had been drifting in and out, instead of hovering the way he normally did.

I dialed Cassie as he walked out again.

“I don’t have a venue,” she answered, immediately launching into utter panic. “Not only do I not have my maid of honor, I don’t have a place to get married!”

“What happened to the venue in Aruba?” At least, I thought that was what she had said. I couldn’t remember all the rambling bits of information anymore.

“There was a storm, or a tsunami, or some crazy shit. I don’t know what the hell happened, but the whole place was flooded out and now my life is ruined!” Her voice was quickly escalating into a screech.

“Have your wedding here,” Kade said, having snuck back into the office when I was distracted by Cassie melting down worse than an overcooked s’more.

“What’s your place look like?” Cassie asked before I could get my wits about me. “Never mind, I’m looking it up,” she said. The sound of typing proved she was already busy doing just that.

“This is not a wedding venue,” I said, not liking where this was going.

“Not currently, but I’ve held some events in the past.” Kade leaned against one of his cabinets and shrugged.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said.

“How much to use your property, Kade?” Cassie asked.

This was spinning out of control way too fast. “Wait, I don’t?—”

“Free,” he answered.

“Sold!” Cassie squealed. “You know what this means, Leah? You are officially back as my maid of honor!”

Oh no, this was not happening.No.Absolutely not.

“Cassie, how are we going to have a wedding here in less than a week? It’s freezing and there’s no place indoors large enough to hold it.” There, that should quash this nonsense. What were these crazy people thinking?

“We can set up a large tent and heat it,” Kade offered, his voice smooth and even. “I’ve done it before.”

“I love it!” Cassie let out a little scream. “We could have a mountain backdrop from what I’m looking at! It sounds like the most beautiful thing ever!”

I felt like a tidal wave was sweeping me up along with them in this crazy plan.

No. No, no, no.This wasnothappening. “But we’re out here in Montana. All your guests are in New York.”

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