AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve been in a cable car before and that was a hair-raising experience. I swore I’d never go in one again.”
“So why did you?”
“Big Red was a lot bigger and in the end, just as terrifying. But the waffles were worth the fright, I guess, not to mention the view.”
We fall into an easy silence as we continue going through the photographs. As we come to the end of her slideshow, I notice she’s drifted off to sleep on me. Rona feels so good and so right against me that I don’t want to move.
I place her iPad on the coffee table and sink further down into the sofa before pulling her into my arms and falling asleep with her.
Rona
As I awaken slowly, I realize I’m not in bed. Opening my eyes, I meet Jake’s from across the sofa. He’s sitting in one of the chairs with a look on his face I can’t decipher. It’s then I realize I’ve been asleep wrapped in Cade’s arms.
Managing to extract myself without disturbing Cade, I motion to Jake to follow me to the kitchen where I grab a cup of coffee. Turning to face Jake, I explain, “I didn’t realize I was so tired. I was sitting next to your father showing him the photographs and the next thing I know, well, I woke up to you watching us.”
“Is that all it was?”
I blush. “That’s how we ended up like that on the sofa.” I’m trying to remain evasive.
“You’re attracted to him though, aren’t you? I know he’s attracted to you. I’m not blind. I’ve seen the way you look at each other when you think I’m distracted.” Jake offers a wry smile. “I also noticed you both looked a bit disheveled when I brought the car around at the airport.”
I open my mouth to speak but Jake continues, “I’m a guy and it’s kind of obvious when two people have been making out . . . although I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong before.” He meets my gaze, then nods, “No, I didn’t think so.”
I’m not touching the ‘making out’ comment, but instead admit, “Yes, I’m attracted to your father.” I’m not the kind of person to lie and I won’t start now, despite how uncomfortable I am. “I’m more than attracted to him. But having this attraction between us doesn’t change the fact that I’m only a year younger than you. This makes your father very uncomfortable.” I sigh. “I’m sorry if this upsets you, but I can’t help how I feel.”
“I’m not even sure ‘upset’ is how I feel right now. He’s been alone for a very long time, he deserves some happiness.” Jake turns away and starts for the stairs before turning back to me. “Please don’t break his heart. I know what that feels like.”
“I won’t,” I whisper, wishing I could do something to help him win his girl back.
After Jake disappears upstairs, I take two coffees into the lounge and deposit them on the coffee table. As I sit opposite Cade, I see him watching me.
“How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough. I was about to come to your rescue when Jake left.”
“If everyone accepted us both being together, how would you feel about us as a couple?”
“How I feel about you will never change and will probably only get stronger the longer we’re living under the same roof. But my family isn’t the only problem.” He looks away. “I have twenty-one years on you. When you’re forty I’ll be sixty-one. I don’t want to leave you a widow when you’re so young.”
I can’t help the tears of loss that run down my face. Loss shouldn’t be what I’m feeling right now, especially with only knowing Cade for such a short time. But the thought of not being able to be with him, to lose the closeness we’ve already developed, causes my tears to fall freely.
Moving from the sofa, he crouches in front of me as I move forward. He wraps his arms around my waist. My arms slip over his shoulders, but unfortunately, the embrace ends quickly as we hear Jake moving around upstairs.
“Will you be okay?” he asks me as he moves away.
I just nod my head, not really believing I will be.
“We’ve been invited to Anna’s for dinner this evening. I hope you don’t mind.”
I wipe my face. “No, that’s fine.” With a deep breath, I confess, “I’ve fallen in love with you, Cade. I know it’s quick, but I’d rather use what time we both have left and spend it together instead of apart. No one knows what the future holds or how long or short it will be. I just know I want my future to include you.”
After my heartfelt declaration, I leave Cade and head up to my bedroom to shower and change for dinner.
Chapter 5
Jake
Catching my father and Rona asleep together on the sofa has given me an ache in my chest. I’m jealous. Not because my father finally has someone who looks at him and sees him as a man, instead of his worth, but because that’s what I want. What I had with Elise. Back then, at eighteen, I did what I thought was for the best, and a huge part of me regrets it. She was the only girl I’ve ever craved . . . the only one who still has my heart all these years later.
