Page 61 of Family Affair

She thought he was smiling as he said it. Did she appear too eager? Was he expecting resistance? Maybe even a refusal?

Oh, what did it matter what he expected?

She took a deep breath letting go of her concerns, and suddenly talking became easy. “Yes, seven is good. Tell me where we’re going and I’ll meet you there.”

“Do you have a preference?”

“Nope. I’ll let you surprise me. But they better serve dessert.”

“Damn, you’re easy.” She could hear him laugh, a raspy, deep sound. It set her nerves on fire. Coco realized that here, on the phone, was the first time she had heard him laugh. He was always so serious, so tense. She couldn’t recall him smiling even.

They hung up, and Coco sat there with the stack of the unfinished reports in her lap, frowning. He asked her out on a Monday night - not a typical choice for a dinner date.

And if he couldn’t wait till the weekend, that meant he was leaving.

The place on the outskirts of the city where Cade took her turned out to be a lot more upscale than its plain façade implied, the kind where waiters wore pressed uniforms and menus didn’t list prices.

“I’ve never heard of this restaurant,” Coco commented as the host led them to their table by the window. Large and round, it was covered by a pristine white tablecloth and decorated with two tea candles and a fluffy bouquet of fresh flowers.

“I haven’t been here for years,” Cade replied as he pulled out a chair for her, surprising her with an unexpected display of high-quality manners and completely at ease with the glaringly exclusive establishment. “I was surprised it still existed. Let’s hope the quality of food has withstood the test of time.”

They ordered drinks and the waiter, a young man who all but bowed at the waist taking their order, disappeared without a sound.

When the waiter left, Coco said quickly, “I’ll take care of my check.”

Cade gave her a look. “Sure. Why not cover mine, too, while you’re at it.”

Coco laughed at his sarcastic tone, and Cade smiled.

Life simply wasn’t fair.

He had the trademark Sheffield smile.

His front teeth were very straight and white, only adding a picture-perfect quality to an already beautiful expression. His face shone when smiling, showcasing his richly colored eyes and strong masculine features, transforming his expression from stern to sexy and confident. His smile, his eyes, had this extra something that pulsed with power.

Coco stared, enraptured, his smile robbing her of free will.

She saw his smile falter and disappear when he noticed the tumultuous emotions written clearly on her face.

“Shhh, love, don’t be upset. You’re breaking my heart.”

He reached across the table to wipe the wetness from her cheeks.

“Oh,” she sniffed. She was crying and she hadn’t even noticed. “Why?” she asked, not sure what she really wanted to know. Why did he have to be irresistible? Why was he leaving? Why didn't he feel the same way?

Her heart was beating fast, and she felt frightened. Yes, she was scared at the prospect of not seeing this man again.

What’s happening to me?

She didn’t like or want to be so enthralled by the entire complex package that made Cade. She hoped it would pass. It was only a passing fascination.

Like your fascination with his dead brother, a tiny voice whispered from within her consciousness, but she quickly silenced it, composing herself and looking again at Cade.

He gave a small shake of his head. “I’d give anything for things to be different, but I don’t have anything to give.”

“You can give so much,” she argued straight from her heart.

He didn’t look smug at her admiration; he looked incredibly sad. “I’m broken, love. At one time, maybe, but now? I can never do this to you.”