One Funeral (No Weddings #2)(42)

On the bedside table, I found a folded piece of paper over my phone, which had been turned off. I switched it back on, waiting for it to cycle through booting up, and read the note.

Beautiful Hannah, Sleep well. I have to go, but know I’m thinking about you, my sexy human burrito.

Love, Cade P.S. Nice Hello Kitty Band-Aids I smiled, folding the note back over and replacing it on the table. I grabbed my phone, brought it with me back to the tub, and laid it on the small table beside the toilet.

My expression fell as I peeled off stiff underwear, thinking about the Band-Aids. What drawers and cabinets had he gone through before he found them? There were tampons in there. And two vibrators. I snorted, imagining the expression on his face, assuming he’d come across them.

I stepped into the hot water, bracing my hands on the edges, and lowered myself in. Hissing out a breath, I lifted bent arms up to check the undersides of my forearms—they stung in the salt of the water. Scrapes and bruises were on each arm, a shiny salve spread over each. Cade must’ve found the Neosporin too.

Gritting my teeth, I submerged my arms again, trying to relax. By my third exhalation, I felt the heat from the water seep down deep into my muscles and groaned.

After about five minutes, I’d calmed enough for my thoughts to drift toward Cade again. I reached behind me, pinched my phone between my fingers, and pulled it into my grasp.

When I hit the control button, the screen showed twenty-four text alerts. All from Cade. Grinning, I scrolled to the text box. Small blue bubbles appeared in a long column.

Sleeping?

Yep.

Now?

Still burritoed?

Miss me?

No?

No.

How bout now?

sighs

I miss you.

Wish I’d stayed.

Miss me now?

Are you sleeping?

Yep.

I’m gonna let you sleep.

I’m showering. In case you were wondering.

Oh, and btw . . .

Nice vibes.

;)

I grinned like the happiest idiot on Earth. The last text had been left over an hour ago. Was he wondering why I still hadn’t replied? I decided not to wait and find out.

Thanks . . .

;)

What are you doing right now?

I waited. Seconds later, a blue bubble popped, indicating he was typing.

Thinking about you.

Tossed my phone onto the desk. Had to stop texting you. Began to feel stalkerish.

I smiled.

You seem like a very safe stalker.

A pause as he typed.

I’m more dangerous than you think.

I smiled but saw the blue bubble appear again as he still typed.

What are you wearing?

I bit my lip, typing.

Nothing.

There was a long pause, then his typing.

What are you doing?

Sliding my finger down the edge of my phone in thought, I began my reply.

Are you thinking about my vibes again?

His typing box appeared immediately, but I sent one more text before he could reply.

. . .

Those three dots had turned naughty when we’d exchanged suggestive texts for the first time in my shop. Now I loved to tease him with them.

His reply came through.

Yes.

I grinned.

I’m in the bathtub.

He typed again.

Naked?

I snorted, then laughed, shoulders shaking.

That’s usually how it’s done.

A pause. Then typing.

Shit.

A long pause followed. I had no idea if he was still with me, or if he’d had to jump back into the shower again. Then a text popped up.

It was really nice seeing you almost naked today. :) Sorry about the circumstances, especially that you got hurt. You okay?

My heart warmed at his concern.

Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks for the bandaging, and the tuck-in.

He typed.

Good.

I’ve gotta get some sleep. Studying for last exam, work, then Kristen’s tomorrow night. You still coming?

I was about to reply when he started typing again.

Are you coming . . .

I shook my head.

Animal.

He typed.

Guilty. :)

I smiled.

Yes. I’ll be there.

He typed.

Good.

Kristen sent me another email. We’re planning a funeral.





Cade arched his brows. “Really? People celebrate this?”

Kendall laughed, handing him a beer. “Apparently it’s all the rage: host your own faux funeral.”

Cade narrowed his eyes. “Does the ‘deceased’ get to give a retort after the eulogy?”

I laughed. “Smack talk from the dead.”

Kiki came into the room from the kitchen, then sat down next to me on the couch with her steaming mug of green tea. “She gets to retort. And with Candace Somerton, she just might.”

Cade became animated, sitting more upright, causing me to fall against him. “No. We all agreed, no working for women I’ve been with.”

“Women you’ve banged. Those were the terms.” Kristen stared at Cade from her corner of the couch.

Shocked, I too stared at Cade. “That was one of your rules?”

Cade scrubbed a hand over his face, then looked at me. “That was one of their rules.” He directed a glare at Kristen. “And I agreed.”