She couldn’t believe that she just had the beginnings of a panic attack over a date with a guy. Jaxson could adapt better than her to things, Kres felt sure. But she knew this was more than just a date. It wasn’t just some guy. It was maybe THE guy. Kresley knew deep down that Cade could be the man she was meant to have in her life, to grow old with, have babies with, learn how to be part of a healthy relationship. And all of that scared her to death. For so long it’s been just her. Oh, Kresley knew she had her sisters and Grace always, but having the one that is meant to be your partner in life, your mate, your match in every way…well, it was special. And Cade being alpha Cade, Big Sexy and so sweet was almost too much for Kresley to understand. He was just too much it seemed at times.
Kres took a deep breath and said, “Thanks Grace, for the support. Just a lot going on in my brain right now. With what’s going on with Drake, the phone calls and gossip going around town, and now having a man to heavily pursue me that I barely know, well it just hit me hard all of a sudden. Thanks for having my back.”
“No need to thank me. I’m always here for you. Now, question. What are you going to wear for this date?”, Grace asked with a serious face. “I think we need sister services, don’t you? Francie, Gertie, Birdie, get your asses up front now.”
Kresley watched as her sisters came running up towards the front of the office, probably thinking the worst had happened. They soon found out that it was a clothing emergency for date night. That put them all in a tizzy and they headed upstairs to go through Kresley’s closet, leaving her downstairs to answer the phones. “Nothing low cut, y’all!”. Giggling women’s voices were the only answer Kresley received.
She found herself 30 minutes later walking downstairs to show her sisters what they had picked out for her to wear for her “date” with Cade. They had chosen a cute spring-like dress that Kresley had actually never worn before. The tags were still on it. It was a navy-blue cotton wrap dress, with a jaunty bow tied at her waist and a small V that dipped down towards her cleavage. The sleeves were cut at the shoulders, leaving her arms bare and the skirt was flirty and flared at her hips. It fell to just above her knee. They paired it with small, red flats and minimal jewelry. Kresley had taken a shower, being sure to shave and lotion every part of her body. She washed and dried her hair and put it up into a twist at the back, securing it with a hair clip. Small red tendrils fell around her temples and ears. Just a little mascara, lip gloss and blush to her face, and Kresley walked into the front lobby of Whimsy Events to get so many unwanted opinions.
“Wow, sweetie, smokin’ hot!”
“He won’t know what hit him.”
“You sure he’s good enough to see you in all this glory?”
“So pretty Kresley. So pretty.”
“Thanks, y’all. You make me feel actually beautiful. I needed that. Now, can y’all go ahead and clock out for the day and leave? Cade should be arriving any minute now. It’s already close to 6 PM.”
Gracie looked at Kres closely, then stated “sure thing buttercup. But let me ask before I leave, are we still on for Friday night to get together? I’ve got the babysitter ready to take care of Jaxson.”
“Yes, I’m still planning on going out with you. I wish you’d tell me what we’re doing or where we’re going.” Kresley knew that Friday would be a hard day for her and her sisters. Her especially. It was going to be the 8th anniversary of her parent’s passing away. Kresley still had nightmares about that night. The ache in her chest sat heavy as she thought of all she lost that day; all she would never have again. But for the first time in a long time, Kresley questioned if that were really true. She had a feeling that Cade wouldn’t be the type to let her wallow in self-pity. So maybe this year she would try hard to remember the good things about her parents and not focus on the bad ending.
After Grace informed her where they were going to remember her parents was a surprise that she would like, she and the sisters all packed up their stuff and headed out the back door, locking it behind and leaving Kresley in the quiet to wait for Cade. Oh, butterflies, I wish you’d fly away. She held a hand to her stomach to calm the flutter within and then heard her phone ding with a text just a few moments later.
Cade: Turn around baby, let me get a look at you through this window.
Kresley quickly turned around and found herself face to face with Cade Grantham, handsome in dark blue jeans, white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled back over his muscled forearms and a pair of leather loafers, holding up two bags. She could see Cade’s grin shining through the store front window and grinned in return. It was going to be a great night. She just knew it.
Chapter Ten
Francie pounced on Kresley as soon as she could, wanting to know all the details about her date. “So how did your date turn out last night Kres?”, she asked when all the girls were settled at the coffee bar in the office the next morning. Kres was honestly shocked that she hadn’t gotten bombarded with texts from any of them last night or
