Caden chuckled and pulled out a massive casserole dish and a bag of tortilla chips, placing them on the large island. “You want a beer?”
“I’d better not.” I had to make it back down the mountain, and I needed my head on straight when I went back to Maddie’s later.
Caden grabbed two Cokes and handed me one. “Gonna tell me what has you calling me in a panic?”
“Maddie moved back.”
His brow lifted. “I’d think that would be a good thing.”
I grimaced as I slid onto one of the stools at the island. “I almost kissed her.”
Caden let out a low whistle. “It’s about damn time.”
I scowled at him and reached for a chip. “It can’t happen, and you know it.”
He shrugged. “Get rid of the fiancé, and I don’t see why there’s a problem.”
My jaw cracked as I ground my teeth together. “He’s out of the picture.”
Caden sighed and lowered himself to the stool next to me. “I’ll never understand why you never just dated her. It’s been clear from day one that you’re both crazy about each other. And she’s not exactly hard on the eyes.”
I growled in his direction.
Caden burst out laughing. “That. Right there. You have hated every guy she’s ever dated.”
I stiffened at that. I hadn’t been tough enough on them, apparently. I should’ve run a background check on Adam the moment Maddie told me they were getting serious.
The laughter died on Caden’s tongue. “What?”
I shook my head. After everything that had happened today, the last thing I wanted was to betray Maddie’s trust again. I jabbed my tortilla chip into the dip. “Let’s just say that her ex is not a good dude.”
Caden’s eyes narrowed. “Something I need to know about?”
Biting into the chip, I chewed as I chose my words carefully. “I can’t share. I want to, but…”
“It’s not your place.”
“Exactly.”
Caden toyed with the tab on his can. “If you need resources on something, you only have to say the word.”
“Thanks. Holt’s going to look into things for me.”
“Good. He’s got the best connections around for that kind of thing.”
I hoped like hell that was true because I needed to make sure Maddie was safe.
Caden studied me for a few long moments. “You love her.”
It wasn’t a question, yet it begged for some sort of response.
I took a long drink of my soda, buying time. “I’ve always loved her. You know that.”
Caden scoffed. “I’m not talking about friendship love. I’m talking about all-consuming, soul-crushing love.”
I glanced at him. “Soul-crushing is how you describe love?”
He shrugged. “It’s fitting.”
