Page 13 of A Gift of Time
I stared at the window where I’d first met him.
“I got you,” I said as I gripped his waist, preventing him from falling off the small ladder.
He chuckled and turned around, smiling down at me with a look that made me weak in the knees. “Yes, you do.”
“Are you always so clumsy?” I asked, quirking a brow.
His blond hair fell into his face and he flicked his head to clear his view, meeting my gaze with a smirk. “Only on days that end in y.”
Grinning, I helped him down, still holding his waist.
Until that moment, I had believed love would never find me, but staring into the blue eyes of that adorably sexy designer with a tight ass and face to die for, I felt myself fall.
I shook my head at the memory and left the office, feeling that hollowness in my chest again. After getting into my car, I left the parking garage and drove downtown.
Perhaps it was because he’d been on my mind, but I found myself outside of Caden’s store.Cay Designswas scrawled in fancy lettering above the entrance.
It was just as I’d remembered; the one constant in a life that was so different. And for some reason, seeing his shop touched a part of me, and I was thankful for the familiar sight.
Before I knew it, I was out of my car and walking inside. Not sure what possessed me to do such a thing, but it was as if Ihadto see him. To see how he was doing in the alternate reality I found myself in.
I might’ve been happy now, but I still cared about him and hoped he was doing well for himself.
The scent of lavender hit me as I entered the store. It had always been one of his favorite smells. As I studied the inside, something occurred to me.
Even in theotherlife, I hadn’t actually visited his store in quite a while, so I wasn’t sure if it looked the same or not. I’d been so preoccupied with my own job and dreams that I hadn’t made time for his.
“Good afternoon! Can I help you?”
Hearing his voice sent my heart into chaotic palpitations. And when I turned around, my breath hitched in my throat.
Caden stood roughly five feet from me, and he looked incredible. His blond hair held a slight wave as it fell around his face, and his sky-blue eyes sparkled with the happiness showing through them. Such a stark contrast to the last time I’d seen him. A fitted, burgundy sweater covered his lean torso, and his skinny jeans hugged his hips and legs just right.
He looked at me like I was a stranger.
“Yeah,” I answered, not knowing what to say, but going with it anyway. “I’m looking to decorate my apartment and thought I’d come in to see if you had any ideas.”
What am I doing?
Caden beamed and clapped his hands together. “Okay, awesome. I’m sure we can figure out something that’ll be perfect for you.”
As he led me over to some color swatches and explained the feeling each one gave off and what rooms they worked best in, I scrutinized him. When his eyes met mine, there were no signs of familiarity in them, just the friendly gaze he gave to every person he met.
“Do you know who I am?” I asked, interrupting him.
His brow dipped and he cocked his head a bit. “I’m sorry. No, I don’t. Have we met before?” A bashful smile touched his lips. “I’m great with remembering color themes and other aspects of design, but I’m not the best with faces.”
I smiled, even though a weight settled in my gut.
He didn’t know me. My fiancé and man I loved had no clue who I was. Not even a week earlier, I’d been excited at the thought of beingfreeof Caden, but facing the reality of it wasn’t the same.
“Maybe I’m the mistaken one,” I said, backtracking so I wouldn’t weird him out even further. “You just look like someone I used to know. I’m Jack, by the way.”
“Caden,” he replied, sticking out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
When I accepted his hand for a shake, my insides coiled. His hand was soft, just like I’d remembered. A familiar touch.
As I stood there with him, my throat tightened and my pulse quickened. The corners of my eyes tingled, and I coughed, pretending as if I was having some allergic episode instead of a near breakdown.
