Two Bar Mitzvahs (No Weddings #3)(59)

“Me too.”

“Just keep thinking about those tickets to our tropical island. Six more days. First, five insanely busy days ahead of us. On the sixth? Beach.”

“Or, we could just add sand to your living room. Insta-beach. ”

I barked out a laugh. “Thanks, Maestro. Only you could make me see humor through this.”

“Anytime. Wish I could help more.”

“Tell me about your day. Help me focus on something else.”

I listened to her tell me about new customers, then Daniel and Chloe’s latest antics. Lila had invited Hannah to lunch on Wednesday. A new resort client had contracted with her shop to supply gourmet desserts for their dinner and room service menu, which all came about from a walk-in customer who happened to be the resort’s food and beverage manager.

As Hannah talked animatedly about everything that had happened to her since I’d left her this morning after an incredible night of sex, topping off a wonderful getaway weekend we’d had at my parents’, I began to nod off.

I interrupted her when she took a breath. “Maestro, I’m so sorry, but I’m about to pass out.”

“It’s okay, babe. Sleep. Sweet dreams, Cade.”

“Thank you for talking with me. You’ve just guaranteed I will.”

***

All day Tuesday, I worked nonstop from before sunrise to well past dinner. I caught up on to-do items for Saturday’s event and met with both Joe and the owner of the remediation company to create a plan for the house repairs and restoration. The list was overwhelming, but I took each thing one at a time on a priority basis.

Wednesday morning brought more of the same. Hannah texted to remind me that she was meeting Lila for lunch today. I’d been stuck at the house since Monday afternoon in the humidity with fans blowing 24/7, so I escaped out of the house for some peace and fresh air.

Before an afternoon meeting at Loading Zone, I dropped by my favorite coffee spot. It was second only to Hannah’s front lounge in Sweet Dreams and only a few blocks away from her bakery.

The coffee aroma was a welcomed break from the staleness of my house. As I took a sip from my cup, waiting for my sandwich to be delivered, I stared at my laptop. Several items on my combined to-do list had been taken care of already. But I still had over a dozen more that needed attention by the end of the day.

I glanced up when someone stepped into my peripheral vision, thinking it was my sandwich order. Instead, Madison moved into the empty seat in front of me.

Fuck me.

I sighed. “Don’t sit, Madison. It’s not a good time.” My words came out guttural as I glared at her.

“Wait, I come in peace.” She set two plates down on the table, cautiously pushing a cheesecake brownie my way. “I remember this was your favorite.” And ironically, a devil’s food doughnut sat in front of her.

“Things change. Not my favorite anymore. I’m into cupcakes now.”

My comments didn’t faze her. She kept a smile on her face as she put a napkin onto her lap. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you and Hannah so much trouble.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Bullshit.”

She broke off a piece of her doughnut and put it into her mouth. My sandwich arrived, and I pushed her peace offering back toward her side of the table.

“Cade, I get that we have to get along to make everything go smoothly Saturday. I’m willing to do that.”

Damn straight you are. Had she been contacted by her board yet? I hadn’t heard anything more from Suzanne, and in the chaos that had become my life, I hadn’t had a spare moment to follow up on it.

When I just stared at her, she leaned forward. “I was foolish. I know that now. You were the best thing ever to happen to me. I miss us. I’m willing to be what you need.”

I laughed at the ridiculousness of her words. “You could never be what I need.”

She gave me an honest-to-f*ck sincere look. “Give me a chance. I could try.”

With a wide grin, I leaned back in my chair and laced my hands together behind my head. “Madison, you have to know that I don’t believe a word you’re saying. I can’t. And I already have a girlfriend. I’m not interested in changing that. I’m tired. I’ve had a f*cked-up couple of days, and I came here for a break. And that doesn’t include you at the table with me. So either you get up and leave, or I will.”

With a nod, she stood and picked up her plate. When I glared at her cheesecake-brownie peace offering, she picked that up too. “I’m going. I don’t want to upset you. Just think about what I said.”

No chance in hell. With Madison showing up unexpectedly yet again, I was unable to do anything but think defensively.

She walked up to the trash, slide the food off both plates into it, then set the dishes on the counter. She turned and gave me a quick smile with a wave before walking out the door.

I stared in the direction where she’d disappeared to make sure that she was out of my space and not coming back. It took a few more minutes after that for my shoulders to relax down.

After a deep breath, I picked up my sandwich, ready to begin the relaxing lunch break I’d come for.

***

Later at the bar, as I sat in Ben’s office looking over our second-quarter financials, my phone rang. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.