“That’s great news.”
“And Dylan was able to score a spot in the paper to advertise car accidents. Hopefully, we can expand on the civil law side taking personal injury cases, and eventually family law and estates and trusts.”
Relief flooded my body at the same time questions filled my brain. “Are you sure that was a good idea? I thought we were going to wait before we advertised for personal injury cases.”
We walked down the hall to our offices. “Dylan’s anxious to get started. Don’t forget our lease will increase soon.”
“In five months, but you’re right, we have to plan for it.” I placed my coffee on my desk.
“I’ll go pick up the files so that we can get started on them.”
“I’ll come with you.” I was still riding the glow of spending my weekend with Cade and I didn’t want it to end.
Cade
After I dropped Hadley off this morning, I returned home since I didn’t have karate class until four p.m. One of my jobs fell through so I had free time to work on my house.
I worried I couldn’t be the man Hadley needed, but I wanted to be. She deserved everything, a husband and children. It hurt to think about those things with someone other than Caroline, but maybe I’d be ready for them at some point.
I ripped out the remaining carpet in the living room. I was excited to have original hardwoods refinished and restored.
The front door opened. Nolan called, “Hey, finished a job and thought you could use some help.”
I jogged down the steps to greet him. “I could use help hauling the carpet to the dumpster.”
Nolan took in the bare floors visible on the first floor and the stairs. “Wow. You were busy this morning.”
“Yeah, I have some things on my mind.” Working always cleared things up for me, but my conversation with Hadley still bothered me.
“Should I be concerned?” Nolan studied me carefully.
I grabbed two beers from the fridge before handing him one. I led the way to the couch in the living room. “I’m worried things with Hadley are going too fast. I tried to slow things down, but I think I hurt her feelings instead.”
I didn’t like the uncertainty on her face this morning. I poured everything I was feeling into that kiss and what came after. It felt a lot like making love.
“What did you tell her?”
“That I wasn’t sure what I was capable of in a relationship, but I wanted to try. When I was with Caroline, it was a slow progression. We were younger. We had all of this time to date and get to know each other. It was this easy thing that happened. With Hadley, everything’s coming at me hard and fast. It’s good but a little scary.”
“You were honest with her. I’m not sure what else you could say. It’s understandable you’d want to take a new relationship slowly.”
“I can’t. Nothing with Hadley is slow. I’m drawn to her.” When we’re together, we ignite.
“That’s great, man.” Nolan’s face relaxed, his shoulders dropped as he eased back into the cushions.
“I’m worried being honest fucked things up with her. I caused her to doubt me.”
Nolan chuckled. “Well, you’re bound to screw something up.”
“What do you mean?” Was I destined never to be with someone again? Not because I didn’t want to move on but because I was irrevocably broken?
“Men always screw up in relationships. That’s why I avoid them. I’m sure Hadley understands it’s harder for you since Caroline died.”
Hadley wasn’t a short-term relationship with caveats and restrictions. She was the open-ended future any man would want but I wasn’t sure I could give her that.
“It’s okay if your relationships with Caroline and Hadley are different. They’re different people. What’s really bothering you?”
“After Caroline, I told myself I wouldn’t hope for marriage or kids again.”
“You deserve that future. Just because it didn’t work out with Caroline, doesn’t mean it won’t work out with Hadley.”
“I never thought I’d feel that way about someone again.” Initially, I thought I could be with Hadley, form a connection with her, and keep it light. With Caroline, we’d dated for a year before I’d been comfortable saying those words. Our relationship was slow and methodical. Decisions were made after careful thought and discussion. This thing with Hadley was zooming out of my control faster than a freight train with failing brakes.
“Maybe this is a good thing. If it moved slowly, you’d have time to doubt your feelings.” Nolan observed me as he spoke.
Maybe he was right. I should go along with things as long as they were good. Why question it?
“You should bring her to Sunday dinner.” Nolan had a gleam in his eye, like he was happy about Hadley. Like he wanted us together.
“I don’t know.”
“Think about it. It might make it easier for you to be in the house again.”
I hadn’t realized he knew the real reason I never went to family dinner.
Nolan stood before dropping his empty bottle on the counter. “Want to work or keep talking about women?”
I chuckled, feeling a thousand times better. I could be with her and let things happen naturally, right? “Let’s get to work.”
Chapter Eighteen
Hadley
Avery flopped into my chair. “It’s nice having work to do, isn’t it?”
“It is. I like being busy.”
“Dylan’s a natural at drawing in clients. I had two new ones call this morning. I’m excited to see the growth when she officially starts next week. The website should be up and running then. I’ll send you a link to view the draft.”
“Good. If we want to be taken seriously, we need to look professional—an attractive website, a receptionist, and—” I looked around at the dated carpet, the walls which still bore the holes from the prior tenant.
“I was hoping we could get away with holding off on renovations, but I think we should do it before
