Page 57 of You're All I Need

I nod, completely understanding that.

“My gram had four kids. My dad, Mike, is the oldest, followed by Bruce, Christina, and Carolyn. Between her four kids, there are ten grandkids and a handful of great-grandkids, and the way it sounds, everyone will be in attendance today.”

I don’t miss the way his jaw ticks, as if the thought brings added anxiety.

“I don’t have a very big family, so this whole getting everyone together is new to me. My family consists of my mom, uncle, and his girlfriend,” I reply with an uncomfortable chuckle.

He glances over at me, his eyes studying me intently. “I’m sure small families have their perks.”

Lifting my shoulders in a shrug, I reply, “I’m sure you’re right. Ever since my grandparents passed, no one gets together. My mom still lives in Cincinnati, and my uncle Gary is here.”

He takes his eyes off the road just long enough to look my way one more time. “And your dad?”

“Don’t know him,” I state casually. “My mom only knew him a short time, and she didn’t know she was pregnant until after they split. She tried to reach out to him, but didn’t have any luck. His phone number was disconnected and the place he said he lived was empty when she showed up.”

“That’s tough. Have you tried to find him now, using today’s technology?”

I shrug once more and keep my gaze locked on the landscape we pass. “No. The story just left me…unsettled. She explained it was a fling over a two-month period. He was older and would never allow her to come to his house or anything, and the phone number she had to call was his work number. She said she felt like he had secrets. I’ve always wondered if he was married.”

“Yeah, something sounds off,” he concedes, slowing down as we approach the turnoff into the church parking lot.

“When she found out she was pregnant, she called his office, and they said he didn’t work there anymore. No one had a forwarding address or number. Paired with the empty house, she just decided to move on. She raised me as a single mom, with help from my nana. We did pretty well, all things considered.”

Caden parks his big SUV in the back row of the lot, his front end facing the church. While he shuts off the ignition, he makes no move to climb from the vehicle to go inside.

“You ready for this?” I ask, releasing my seat belt and turning my attention his way.

“Is anyone ever really ready to attend a wedding?” he asks, a teasing tone in his words, but I don’t miss the way his lips form a straight line, and the corners of his eyes crinkle a little from tension.

“I guess not,” I answer, turning in my seat to face him. “I have a really important question to ask, Caden.”

He holds my gaze. “Shoot.”

“You weren’t lying about dancing, were you? I really do like to dance.”

He grins that knowing smirk, flashing me perfectly white, straight teeth. “I’m your guy, sugar. I’ve got all the moves, as I’m sure you’re well aware of, since I’ve given you examples of them several times over the last week. And, if you play your cards right, you’ll get to see those moves later this evening.”

“I’m looking forward to that,” I reply with my own smirk. “But just to clarify, you’re not talking about the robot or the sprinkler, right?”

“The running man, Adrienne. I’ve got the best running man you’ve ever seen. Pair that with my shopping cart, and the panties will be thrown at me.”

I burst into a fit of laughter. “I can handle the shopping cart and running man, as long as you’re not doing the floss. That’s just weird.”

He makes a face. “Definitely.” Then he glances up at the front of the church. “You ready for this?”

“To be the best fake date you’ve ever had? Absolutely,” I insist, reaching for the handle and opening the door.

He’s out of his seat and jogging around the front of his SUV moments later, taking my hand and closing my door. Before we move, he leans in and brushes his lips against mine. “Just so you know, this isn’t a fake date.” Caden presses his mouth to mine harder, his tongue delving deep inside. My body erupts with need, as the familiar pull of desire sweeping through me.

“Get a room!”

We pull apart, the moment shattered like glass on a tile floor. Caden chuckles and glances to his left, spotting the man who hollered across the parking lot. He lifts his hand and waves. “My cousin Derek,” he says to me.

“Ahh,” I reply, offering a polite smile to the man approaching.

“Well, I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d see you here.” He leans in and pulls Caden into one of those tight bro hugs. “But damn glad you are.”

“Gram,” Caden replies in way of answer, making Derek chuckle.

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