Page 87 of Blackwood

“You remembered?”

“Of course I did.”

Who does that? Not fucking Laing. Wes never did. No one I know. Not in my world. Most of the men in my life are fighters, soldiers, or ghosts. They don’t hold chairs. They hold weapons. Secrets. Sins.

“Glad you could make it.”

“Yeah… thanks for inviting me,” I say, trying to sound chill.

Totally not chill. My pulse is sprinting. My brain still echoing ‘What is your opinion on a threesome?’and now I’m seriously wondering if I should’ve called Dr. Monroe instead of showing up.

Thank God the waitress appears. She’s tall, gorgeous, definitely older, and completely ignores me. Her eyes lock on Cade like he’s the prize in some Manhattan dating raffle.

“Good morning,” she purrs. “What can I get you?”

Cade, to his credit, doesn’t even look at her. “Just a black coffee. Thanks.”

“Caramel latte,” I say, sharper than necessary. “Extra whip.”

The waitress barely glances at me, gives Cade another smile like she’s leaving her number in it, and then struts off like she’s the one onstage.

“Okay. So, I have a question.”

Cade pinches the bridge of his nose, “Ellie told you.”

“Yeah…” I fidget with my mother’s locket. “Um.”

“I told her not to,” he says quickly, leaning in a little. “I just wanted to get to know you again. That’s all. It’s… a long story.”

I stare at him, trying to figure out if I should run or pull out a notebook. “Well, I’ve got about an hour and a half until I need to head to practice,” I say dryly.“So… go.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll just get straight to it.”

My pulse spikes. Maybe I should have ordered a chamomile tea.

“You know I have a boyfriend. Lex. We’ve been dating since our freshman year. But things have gotten complicated.”

I narrow my eyes. “Complicated?”

He scratches the back of his neck, hazel eyes flicking down for a second. “Well, not complicated exactly. It’s just that we both need more.”

Thank God, the waitress shows up and drops off our drinks.

“What do you mean, more?” I ask, fingers tightening around my latte like it might morph into a weapon.

“Both of us agreed we wanted someone else to come into our relationship.”

“And you thought I’d be a good option?” I try to keep it light, but it lands sharp and defensive.

“Honestly? I wouldn’t have ever guessed it would be you.”

“Wow. Thanks.”

“No wait,” He laughs under his breath, shaking his head. “I just mean… you’ve always been around. Sneaking Pop-Tarts, raiding Ellie’s closet, dragging Cal into trouble. I remember the glitter, the sarcasm, the way you used to argue with me over whichFast & Furiousmovie was the best.”

“The fifth one is superior and you know it.”

He grins. “See? That. You’ve always had this fire. But that night, Cinco de Mayo, I watched you dance and it was like seeing you for the first time. Not just as Ellie’s friend. Not just the girl who once puked on my shoes after a party and still managed to flirt with the Uber driver.