Page 6 of Cade

“Yea, sure,” she blushed. “If there’s nothing you like, I could always paint something for you. Maybe something or someone that means something to you.” Cade stared at the young woman and swallowed. Bodhi, who had been looking at his phone, looked up and then toward his brother.

“Maybe. Maybe you could paint my, I mean, our mom,” he said.

“Sure, if you have a photo, I could do a charcoal drawing first, then go from there.” Cade nodded, but Cass could tell it wasn’t a great topic for him. Her sister got up to leave, and she pulled on her hand. “Be careful, Carrie. Don’t take any chances at the theater.”

“She has to get up and dance again, Cade,” sniffed Cass into his t-shirt. She’d fallen to the floor of the hospital, curling her legs beneath her, sobbing. His heart was cracking in two for the girl.

“She will, honey. She’s strong, and she’ll come back, don’t worry.” Cade stood, holding out his hand to her. “Let’s go downstairs and get some food and coffee, maybe take a walk outside.”

Cassidy nodded, letting him lead her out of the crowded waiting room. They left the hospital and crossed the street, entering a small café. Cade pointed to a table in the corner as all eyes turned to stare at him. Seated facing the door as always, he ordered two cups of coffee and two pieces of pecan pie.

“All she’s ever wanted to do is dance, Cade.”

“She’ll dance again, Cass. You have to give it time, honey. The doctors know what they’re doing, and she’s strong. It will be okay.”

“We’re twins. I feel her pain. It’s like I feel her sadness, and it’s overwhelming for me.” Cade stared at the young woman, frowning. He didn’t like to hear words like ‘overwhelming,’ those were words that sent sirens off in his head.

“Focus on what’s good, baby. Focus on that.” He covered her hand with his own, then linked their fingers, staring at her pretty light blue polished nails. She always wore some fun color, and he thought it was the most artsy thing he’d ever seen.

The blouse she wore today complemented her hair and eyes beautifully. The low neckline gave him a perfect view of those luscious breasts he’d felt pressed against him during their dance.

“Cade? Are you okay?” she asked. “You looked far away.”

“Oh, no, not far away. I’m right here. In fact, I was thinking you look beautiful today.”

“Me? I’m a wreck,” she laughed. “I’m sure my makeup is completely smeared.”

“You don’t need makeup,” he said with a sober look. “You’re beautiful just the way you are. You’re beautifully curvy, womanly, even though you’re young.”

“Cade? Just how old do you think I am?” she smirked. He shrugged, and she gripped his hand tighter. “I’m twenty-one, Cade. I’ll be twenty-two next week. I’ve experienced more than most my age, and I’m not naïve or immature. I support myself. I have great credit, and I know how to cook. Don’t confuse me with some gold-digging redhead.”

She said the words and immediately regretted it. Cade looked up at her, wondering how she knew about the girl from The Well.

“Sorry. That was rude. I overheard you guys talking about her. She found out you worked for RP and wanted to get you home to bed as soon as she could. I’m sure you had a lovely evening.” Cade was angry at first, then grinned. She was jealous.

“I didn’t go home with her,” he said. Cass jerked her head upward, a small grin on her lips. “She was a gold-digger, and she recognized some of the other guys from RP. She also wanted to know what I looked like. Naked.”

“Oh, I see,” said Cass, blushing. “Big man and all that.” Cade laughed, nodding.

“Can I ask you something very personal?” he said. She nodded. “Have you ever been with anyone?”

“No,” she said confidently. “I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t be with any man unless I felt like he was the right man. That he meant something to me and to my future.”

“Good for you, Cass. You’re a dying breed.” Secretly, he was thrilled as fuck, and he wasn’t even sure why yet. “Let’s get back over there.”

Cassidy rose and walked toward the door, Cade behind her. He stared at her as she walked and then noticed that every other man in the café was staring as well. With a slow turn and a growl, they all looked back down at their food.

“Everything okay?” she asked. He grinned, nodding at her.

“Perfect.”

---