“I’ll be next to you.” I placed my hand on his chest—feeling his heartbeat under my palm.
“You will.” He covered my hand with his before lowering both to our side—not letting go.
We walked to his truck and rode to his parents’ house in silence. His hand held mine on my thigh. It was comfortable. It was nice. I tried not to think too hard about what it would be like to be with him like this all the time—weekly dinners with family, hanging out with friends at the bars, exploring the town with him. Because if I thought about that, I’d want more—marriage and kids, and he couldn’t give that to me. I’d told him a relationship was enough—but each day I spent with him the further I fell.
I leaned back in the seat admiring the strength of his muscles in his forearms as he’d rolled his sleeves, the outline of his muscular thighs beneath his pants, the set of his jaw. He was all-man, confident, hard-working, and real. He didn’t put on airs, didn’t pretend to be someone he wasn’t, didn’t live on his father’s money and reputation.
He’d taken a risk in life by marrying Caroline and he’d stood by her when she was sick. It was a love so strong he still mourned her loss and probably always would. What would it be like to be with someone like that? What would it be like to be loved like that? The thought caused my heart to race. I wanted it more than anything, but it was probably the one thing he couldn’t give me—all of him. He’d always be holding himself back.
“Are you ready to go in?”
He turned the truck off. With a hand braced on the steering wheel, Cade turned in his seat to look at me. We were parked in his parents’ driveway. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
“I’d ask what you were thinking about so hard, but I don’t want to be late. My mom will notice if we’re sitting in a dark car in the driveway.”
He nodded to a curtain which twitched before it fell back to its usual spot.
“Of course.” I took a deep breath, feeling vulnerable after the realization that Cade had the potential of being everything to me, but would I always come second to Caroline?
Cade
I met Hadley at the hood of the truck, holding my hand out to her. I wouldn’t be here without her at my side. Her silent support and encouragement was everything, but tonight she seemed preoccupied with something. Was she worried about impressing my parents? I’d been so caught up in bracing myself for the onslaught of memories at my parents’ house, I hadn’t thought about how Hadley would feel.
I raised my hand to knock—the other still rested in Hadley’s. I squeezed it to reassure her. She was my lifeline tonight. I wouldn’t let her go.
After I knocked, the door opened, revealing my mother wiping her hands on her apron. She had new lines on her face that weren’t there before and bags under her eyes, but she seemed pleased to see me on the porch. “Nolan said you were planning to be here, but I wasn’t sure.”
My mom’s eyes widened when her eyes followed my hand, where it was entwined with Hadley’s.
“Hello. I’m Maureen Morrison.” She held her hand out to Hadley.
“Hadley Winters.” Hadley shook Mom’s hand. Her cheeks were pink.
“Hadley is my girlfriend.” I’d introduced her to the Wallens as my girlfriend, but this was different, more meaningful.
I watched Hadley’s face, her lips tilted into a smile as she looked from me to my mother, probably to gauge her reaction.
“Well, that’s wonderful news. It’s so nice to meet you. Please come in.” Mom stepped back to let us in.
I dropped her hand so Hadley could precede me inside.
Being here with Hadley felt right. Maybe I’d follow Nolan’s advice to go with my gut.
Nolan’s voice drifted from the kitchen. I placed a hand on Hadley’s lower back, guiding her down the hall to the kitchen. She gave me a reassuring smile.
“You’re here.” Nolan’s eyes landed on me then Hadley before he smiled his approval.
Dad stepped forward to greet me.
“Dad, this is Hadley Winters, my girlfriend. Hadley, my dad, Philip Morrison.”
“Mr. Morrison. It’s so nice to meet you.” Hadley leaned forward to shake his hand.
“No, it’s nice to meet you. How did you two meet?” Dad’s voice was measured, his face carefully blank.
“We met through work, you could say, and then I took a few classes at his studio.” Hadley shot a nervous look my way.
Maybe she wasn’t sure if she should mention I hired her to be my attorney. It was probably something we should have discussed earlier.
Mom bustled past us. “Dad is cooking steaks and baked potatoes on the grill. Want to help me with the salad, Hadley?”
“I’d be happy to.” Hadley smiled, her shoulders lowering as if she was feeling more comfortable now.
“I could use some help bringing in the food.” Dad gave me a pointed look before he carried several serving dishes outside.
Nolan and I exchanged a look before we followed him. Dad wanted to talk—whether it was about Hadley or finally coming to family dinner again, I wasn’t sure.
We stepped outside onto the brick patio. Dad lifted the lid on the grill to check the steaks before turning to us.
I widened my stance, bracing myself for his questions. I owed him honesty even if I wouldn’t like it.
“It’s nice to have you back.” Dad shot me an expectant look.
I knew he wanted more information. He wanted to know why I was here now. “It was too hard to come here after Caroline died. I didn’t think I could handle the memories.”
Dad nodded thoughtfully, probably remembering how I’d given that as my reasoning for selling the house we’d shared together. “We can always have it at your house or rotate between all of our houses. That would give your mother a