Page 8 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

“I’m trying to.” Cain sat next to him, but faced Andrew. “I can’t find a place that makes organic pizza, so that’s blah.”

“Blah?” Andrew frowned. “Why don’t you try Tony’s Pizza? He makes his own dough, gets his veggies local and the dairy provides his cheese.”

“But is it certified organic? Organic is cleaner.”

“Right.” Everyone he knew kept their crops clean and their animals healthy. How organic did Cain want?

“You’re organic, too.” Cain grinned. “You get it, and when I get myself sorted out, I’ll buy my veggies from you. Don’t you think it’s better?”

“I grow my own food, yeah.” Andrew shifted in his seat. If he’d known he’d get a mini-lecture, he might have stayed away. He liked Cain, but the pomposity in his words annoyed Andrew.

“What’s wrong? I should’ve provided food, right?” Cain shook his head. “I’m so bad at this.”

“Bad at what?” At least they weren’t discussing organic anything. “Dating?”

“Living on my own.”

“Ah,” Andrew said. “Your boyfriends picked up after you and did the shopping?”

“Hines did it,” Cain said. “He had the best taste.”

“Ah.”The boyfriend.He should’ve known a handsome man like Cain would already have a boyfriend.

“I should get you a drink or something. I’m out of bottled water. I prefer it because it’s purer,” Cain said and left his seat.

“You can get water from the tap.” Andrew followed him into the minuscule kitchen. “This is tiny.”

“It’s tight.” Cain grabbed a glass from the cupboard. “This.” He poured water from the tap into the glass. “Huh. Looks normal.”

“It is. Cedarwood has good water.” Andrew accepted the glass. “You didn’t know there’s a tap? Don’t you do anything for yourself?”

“I’ve never been to the grocery store.” Cain folded his arms. “Never had a reason to go.”

The boyfriend must’ve done everything for Cain.Strange.“Next time I go to the store, you can tag along if you want.” He’d get this man out in public and used to doing things on his own one way or another.

“I’d love that.” Cain tensed. “Shit. Who is that?” He ducked out of the kitchen to the front door. “I’m not expecting anyone.”

Andrew stood in the doorway to the kitchen. When Cain opened the door, Liam Blackwell, the actor, stood on the stoop.

Well, shit.He didn’t know he’d been invited to a party. Andrew smiled and inched out of the way. He’d never been introduced to Liam, but he’d never been interested in celebrity before, either.

Cain and Liam fell into a tight conversation. Andrew tried to not eavesdrop, since he hadn’t been included. Cain claimed he needed someone to talk to, but it appeared he had plenty of people.

“I should go,” Andrew said. He shook hands with Liam, then nodded to Cain. When he touched Liam’s hand, there wasn’t the spark like there was with Cain. Maybe Cain wasn’t feeling it. “Call me when you want to head to the store,” Andrew said and left the apartment.

He wanted to spend more time with Cain, but the conversation with Liam seemed important. He wasn’t in the same league as Liam anyway. According to Maddie, Liam was supposed to be in a relationship, but he’d still be better suited to Cain than a farmer. Cain struck him as rather high maintenance. Then again, Andrew wasn’t exactly the world’s requisite for a catch. He had a farm, but he wasn’t a cowboy and didn’t own a horse.

“Wait.” Cain jogged up to him. “You don’t have to go.”

“You’re busy.” Andrew put a brave face on the situation. He and Cain were acquaintances at best. “Don’t worry about it.”

“You went out of your way to come here.” Cain grasped Andrew’s hand. “Another time?”

“Yeah.” He squeezed Cain’s fingers. The spark returned and his belly fluttered. Andrew let go before he embarrassed himself, then ambled over to his truck. If he looked like he wasn’t upset, then hopefully he’d convince Cain he wasn’t—despite his spirits plummeting. He’d had plans for the meeting.Talk to Cain, get to know him, find out his story and grow the friendship. Another day.

Besides, what were sparks for if they weren’t mutual?

Andrew drove home to the farm and parked in the smaller barn. His stepsister’s car was still in front of the craggy pine tree in front of the house. He loved Maddie, but wasn’t in the mood to talk to her. She’d want to ask questions—ones he didn’t want to answer.

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