Page 16 of Cade

She needed her friend, and it was time to let her in. April leaned forward and gave the driver updated directions. Leaning back, she let herself smile as she thought about finally letting someone in.

It was a quick trip to the restaurant, much closer than her house. Walking in, she avoided everyone’s gaze as she slipped past them and headed for the stairs that led to Kayla’s office.

“I should have figured you just left work. I thought you’d be a little longer,” Kayla greeted her as she entered her office. “The food is on its way and it’s not salad.”

“I would have just eaten salad. Let me know what I owe you.” April reached into her purse for her wallet.

“First, absolutely not just a salad. I got meals and desserts. I don’t know what’s been going on, but we have a lot to catch up on. And second, why would I ask for money from you? I swear it’s like my friend completely disappeared.”

April offered a sad smile and dropped into a chair. “She might have.”

Kayla took the seat next to her. “Oh, honey. What’s wrong?”

“I hate my job. I hate it so much. I’m good at it. I never leave, but I don’t want to do it. They keep talking about partner options and I don’t want it. I don’t know how to say I don’t want it anymore without losing my job and I just want to quit, but I can’t afford it.” April rushed it all out.

Kayla stayed quiet, knowing her friend well enough to know she wasn’t done yet.

“And the date. It was all fake. I figured it out the first night and we decided to follow through with the date so you wouldn’t know.”

“You know Cade?” Kayla asked.

She nodded. “Remember when we met, and I was going through that nasty breakup?” April waited for her friend to put the pieces together.

“That asshole was not Cade. There’s no way.”

“I promise you it was. It wasn’t until we all met at Catherine’s that I saw him again. He disappeared really good and then all this time goes by and suddenly he’s there again.”

Kayla pulled her into a side hug. “I’m so sorry. I never would have set you two up if I had known. I thought with the way that Cade was watching you that he was into you. And you never need to hide anything from me, ever.”

“I know. I just didn’t want to be the cause of any friction between friends. It didn’t seem right, especially as it was so long ago. It’s not even important enough to worry about, so please don’t tell anyone.”

“No. You’re important. Your feelings are important and don’t you let anyone tell you any different.”

April smiled at her friend.

“Food,” a man called from the top of the stairs.

“Oh!” Kayla jumped up. “I’m so glad I ordered dessert now.” She ran to meet him and grabbed the bags before bringing it back to her office.

The scent of grease hit her in the face. She never ordered fries anywhere anymore. It was too easy to eat too many. Tonight, she wanted them all.

“Tell me what happened on the date,” Kayla said as she pulled the food out.

As they unwrapped their burgers, April explained it all. The lie, the rudeness, her misinterpretation of everything. By the time the fries were gone, April had shed more tears than she had in years and felt equal parts completely drained and re-energized.

“Thank you for coming,” Kayla said as April made to leave.

“Thank you for making me. I needed this.”

They hugged again, and April headed out to the waiting car that Kayla had called for her. She wasn’t sure what happened next, but she knew she felt like the weight of her thoughts was getting lighter for now.

She decided to do one last thing before she made it home. It was only fair that Cade knew that Kayla was aware that they knew each other now. She sent a quick message and silenced her phone, not caring if he wrote her back.

April: I told Kayla everything about us. Sorry.

Chapter Eight

Cade

---