I didn’t dare look at him, or I might spontaneously combust. Instead, I poured the egg mixture into two different pans. After a few moments, I spread the cheese and veggies in the center of both. I folded over the sides and flipped one and then the other.
“How’d you learn to do that?” Caden asked, his roughened tone skating over my skin and leaving a pleasant shiver.
My mouth curved. “My dad. He’s the omelet master in our house.”
“I forgot about that. Breakfasts were either omelets by your dad or waffles by your mom.”
I slid the egg creations onto two plates and put them on the counter. Then, grabbing two sodas and silverware, I took the stool next to Caden. “I still can’t do waffles as good as hers.”
Caden bit into his omelet and moaned. “Well, you’ve got this down.”
His words made warmth take root in my chest. There was something about taking care of someone that I loved. Maybe because so many people tried to take care of me because of my disease. “I’m glad you like it.”
Caden devoured his meal in a dozen bites and then leaned back on his stool, watching me.
I took a sip of Diet Coke. “What?”
“I’m trying to figure out if you’re really okay. You’ve gotten better at hiding your emotions.”
My fingers tightened around my fork. I’d had lots of practice perfecting my mask ofeverything’s okay. It was necessary when people constantly worried about you.
I looked up at Caden and found that some part of me wanted to tell him everything. Maybe it was because he’d been that person for me for so long. Maybe it was because I’d just been holding everything in for years.
“I freaking loved that car.”
Caden stared at me for a moment and then burst out laughing. “The car? That’s what got you the most upset?”
“It was a damn good SUV.” It was one of those old-school Range Rovers that looked as if it belonged on safari. I’d spent way too much money having the engine completely rebuilt and the upholstery refurbished. Now, it was a total loss.
Caden reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers slid down to my neck, squeezing gently. “We can get you a new SUV.” Emotion blazed in his eyes, making the gold in them spark to life. “But I couldn’t take it if something happened to you.”
* * *
Caden pulledto a stop in front of the Vacation Adventures cottage. He looked rough, and guilt pricked at me. Sleeping on my couch wasn’t conducive to good rest.
“Can you do dinner with my family tonight?” he asked.
I straightened, a trickle of unease sliding through me at the prospect of being around Gabe. “Sure. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up at six. My dad’s on my case about showing my more respectable side around the resort.”
I hated the flicker of hurt that flared to life in my chest. Loathed the part of me that yearned for Caden to simply want me there. With him. “What’s the attire?”
Caden tapped the wheel. “Cocktail.”
I nodded, grabbing my bag. “I’ll be ready.”
“Thanks.”
I slid out of the vehicle without another word. I didn’t want to give Caden a chance to see the hurt I knew lived in my eyes. Apparently, I was fully living the dumb-girl life right now.
I hurried into the office. Noel and Eddie were both sipping coffee, staring at me.
“I thought you were walking to work,” Noel said.
I glanced at Eddie. “Reporting in on my whereabouts now?”
He held up a hand. “He wanted to make sure you had a ride if you needed one.”
