I awoketo bright sunlight streaming in the windows, startling when I realized I wasn’t in my room or in my bed. Maple stirred at my feet, her presence comforting and anchoring me. After a minute, I allowed my heart rate to slow as I realized where I was. I was in Vermont, in Cade’s childhood home.
In his parents’ bed.
Ugh, what must he think of me?
I found my medicine bottle waiting on the nightstand next to me, and a glass of water next to that.
I stumbled into the bathroom and surveyed myself in the wide mirror. I was a mess. My hair and teeth both needed brushing, and the skin underneath my eyes was a deep purple. My sweats hung baggily off my frame. I really needed to start eating properly again.
I returned to the bedroom and grabbed my toiletries, attempting at least the bare minimum of presentability. I brushed through my long hair, removing all the tangles. I brushed my teeth, swiped on some deodorant, and changed into black yoga pants and a clean, oversized top. I slipped some slippers on my bare feet. That would have to be good enough for now.
As I wandered down the hall, I smelled the glorious smells of home-cooked breakfast. My stomach gave a sharp pang. When had I last truly felt hungry?
I stumbled into the Adlers’ kitchen, with Maple hot on my heels. I’m sure the smells were driving her crazy, too.
Cade stood at the stove, tending to eggs and sizzling bacon. He wore a soft blue tee that hugged every inch of his muscled frame, and low-slung gray sweats.Sweet baby Jesus, I thought, staring at his sculpted ass beneath the fabric before I could stop myself.Doesn’t this man know that gray sweats are like a Playboy mag for women?My stomach stirred again for an entirely different reason than the food—it had been a long time since I’d feltthatfeeling as well.
Cade continued to cook, humming to himself, oblivious to my brief hormonal turmoil.
“Smells good,” I chirped, alerting him to my presence.
He turned around, stunning me with a full, winning grin. The dimple on his cheek was on full display, and I smiled in spite of myself. I looked down to his chest to see he was wearing his mom’s frilly pink apron. I choked out a hoarse laugh at the sight.
“Figured I’d get all domestic.” He gestured to himself in the apron, waggling his eyebrows comically. “Juice? Coffee? Tea?”
“Tea would be amazing,” I said, sliding onto a barstool at the island to watch him work. Moments later, he set a steaming mug in front of me, and I cupped my hands around it, letting the warmth seep into my bones.
I looked around the familiar kitchen. “Wow, this place really does look exactly the same,” I said in wonder.
“I know,” he chuckled. “Welcome back to the Land of Cocks—” he gestured to the numerous roosters on display.
I broke into the first genuine grin I’d had in weeks. I covered my face as a blush crept up my cheeks. I never could make a dirty joke without blushing.
Cade went back to humming.
I tried not to stare at his form as he moved competently around the kitchen—really, I did.
Cade plated our food and we ate side-by-side at the island, amiably quiet. Then he fed Maple for me and leashed her up for a walk.
“Grab your shoes,” he directed.
He didn’t leave room for me to dispute, and even with breakfast in my belly, I didn’t have the energy to contradict him and claim I was too tired. I slipped on warm boots and threw on a sweatshirt, grabbing my coat at the front door. I knew my clothes were hodgepodge, but Cade seemed like he couldn’t care less.
Breathing the fresh Vermont air felt healing to my soul. We took off around the block. Through my many layers, I felt a gentle hand on my lower back as Cade subtly shifted me so that I was walking on the inside, and he would be standing on the side closest to the street. Maple trotted faithfully alongside us, stopping occasionally to sniff a curious smell.
We leisurely walked around the cul-de-sac, commenting on changes we saw to the neighbors’ houses and yards. The brick mailbox in front of my old home had been replaced. Toys outside Helen’s old home made me wonder about the family that lived there now. I knew Jace and Jared’s family had moved into a larger, more expensive subdivision in high school, so their home presumably had new occupants as well. Sammy’s family had moved away, too. In some ways the neighborhood felt the same, but I couldn’t ignore all the changes right in front of me. It created a bittersweet nostalgia inside me.
As we made the full circle, we passed my old driveway, and Cade showed me the tiny dark spot that was still on the concrete—the stained spot where my brother, Owen, had busted his head roller-blading, which had earned him a lengthy lecture from our mom about brain injuries and the importance of helmets.
I appreciated that Cade didn’t push me to talk about anything else besides our shared childhood and former neighbors. It waslike he sensed that I wasn’t ready to open up the wounds in my life that hadn’t even finished closing.
I was so grateful to him for that.
After our walk I was feeling up for a shower and slightly nicer attire. I took my time lathering myself up in the shower, relishing the clean feeling, the fog clearing from my mind as my body became clean. I exited the shower and wrapped myself in a soft, fluffy towel, rummaging through my suitcase and laying out some outfit options on the bed. Not knowing the length of my trip, Whit had packed a comically large suitcase, but I was glad to have so many options to choose from. Whit had fantastic taste and knew which clothes I favored—comfortable looks that were still stylish. The invention of jeggings was my holy grail.
I slipped into my favorite pair of dark-wash jeggings, an oversized dark-gray long-sleeved tee with an asymmetrical hem, and grabbed my favorite fluffy plaid scarf, a mix of white, gray, red, and green. I carefully dabbed on some light makeup, and slid on long, warm socks and my flat, knee-high tan boots. I looked in the Adlers’ long mirror, surprisingly pleased with the results.
I walked to the living room to see that Cade had changed, too. He’d put on nice jeans and a quarter-zip ribbed sweater. I internally wished I could rub my hands over the material, a thought which I again chastised myself for having.
