Page 72 of Fly Back to Me
Cade
My eyes fasten to the white tile of the kitchen floor, every organ caving inside me when Jenna shuffles through the front door. Her scrubs swoosh against her legs as she travels through the foyer, and my body straightens in the chair just as she enters the room.
I’m sitting at the eat-in table, one arm crossed over my chest as the opposite elbow props on it. Her body halts at the threshold, eyes sprinting between the stack of cardboard boxes next to me and my gaze. “W-what’s going on?” she whispers.
“You didn’t go into work early yesterday,” I state. “Where were you?”
Jenna blinks a few times, brows dipping as her eyes shy away from mine. “Yes, I—”
“No, you didn’t,” I cut her off. “Where were you?”
Her throat rolls when she drops her tote on the floor, head shaking as she extracts a wobbly breath. “Cade, don’t—”
There’s a trim of moisture that outlines her blue eyes, butmy mind and body never budge for her mercy. “I’m asking averysimple question.”
This isn’t about inflicting guilt on her, nor about getting the reasons she did all of this.
This is about her staring me in the face and owning up to what she did. Because she owes methat much. And as her hands jumble at her stomach, every detail of her eyes and body scream that she’s ashamed.
Unfortunately, her remorse is dead on arrival.
In time, I know I can forgive. But I can’t be with her and absolve her actions at the same time. It’s just not how I’m wired to work.
“Can we just talk about this? Please?” she begs.
I shake my head. “No.” My body rises from the chair, fingers swiping the piece of paper off the table before I stroll up to her. “In fact, I think this says it all,” I say, dangling the note from Blake in front of her. “You threw me away for ‘pretty,’ Jenna? Come on …” I taunt. “Not even a ‘beautiful’ or ‘stunning’?”
When I flick the note to the floor, her eyes stun, but I peek over my shoulder at the brown boxes. “I’ll give you a week for you to get your stuff together and find a place to live.” I shove my hands in my joggers, swiveling my attention back to her. “I honestly thought about throwing all of your shit out on the street for you to pick up yourself. But I guess there’s still some love in my heart for you. As far as beinginlove with you, that time has set for me, just as it has for you.”
I motion to curl around her, but her palm shoots to my arm. “Cade, please don’t do this,” she pleads, her voice hoarse just as her eyes threaten to release tears.
My eyes dart to her hand, only for my fingers to slowly peel it off my bicep. “It’s over, Jenna,” I whisper. “We’re done.”
Chapter 27
Cade
I roll up the sleeves of my red and black checkered flannel to wipe the tap nozzles. Needing this last half hour of peace, I sent my employees home early for the night, now doing anything to distract my mind. I’m sure by the time I leave, this brewery will be as spotless as it was when we deep cleaned it before the grand opening.
My fingers knead the white cloth against the stainless steel, spending a generous amount of time on each tap when the front door swings open in my periphery. Without flicking my focus an inch, I deliver the disappointing news to the patron. “I’m sorry, but we’re closed for the night.”
“That works for me.”
My head shoots up at the sound of Olivia’s voice, her bright green eyes already waiting for me. The crook of her rosy lips perks up, reminding me that even when I’m alone, I always have the option not to be.
She’ll always be in my corner.
I swallow thickly as I lay both palms on the bar top, my eyes ogling her hair and outfit on their descent. Her hair looks thicker somehow, soft champagne curls spilling over her upper arms with more of a bounce. The swell of her breasts peeks out of her ribbed sweater dress, the thin material practically absorbing into her curves. And when my eyes drop to the floor, her feet are wrapped in these strappy, black heels.
Her legs tread forward, my gaze stumbling back up to land on her face. “You should’ve told me you were in the parking lot,” I say.
Olivia pops a shoulder, setting her small purse on the bar. “I parked close enough to walk by myself.” Both her hands cup her lower back when she inspects the empty brewery. “Why are you closing early?”
“Shitty day,” I quickly answer, the confession sending my rag back to the metal taps.
Out of the pocket of my eye, I catch the way she holds her arms out. “Well, I’m here. Anything I can do to help?”
I half-turn to toss the dirty towel with the rest, walking to exit the bar right after. “Nope.”
