She shot Elisa a quick look, who shrugged. Zoey frowned, while Noah’s brows lifted. Okay, so not just her. This felt like a Twilight Zone version of Cade. No, it felt like high school Cade, the one who used to push past Rosalyn in the hallways, ignore her unless he was trying to beat her. The one who laughed with the jocks about the nerds. Got by on charm and reputation.
The one who gave a little bit of merit to Amber’s jadedness.
Rosalyn picked at the beignet she no longer wanted. “What do you mean,that’s a wrap?”
Cade rocked his chair back on two legs, hooked his hands behind his neck. “I’ll cut your check Friday night and then you’ll be free and clear.” He cleared his throat. “You know, for yourrealshows.”
Oh no. He’d heard her conversation with Blaine. She closed her eyes.
A muffled slap sounded, as if someone might have popped Cade on the shoulder—probably Zoey—followed by furtive whispers. Probably Noah and Elisa.
This was bad.
Rosalyn opened her eyes and folded her arms across her middle, holding herself together. “You know I didn’t mean that.”
“Mean what?” Noah asked.
“Heard you say it.” Cade shrugged. “Saw you kiss him too. That’s twice now, so it’s okay. I get the hint, trust me.”
“Kisswho?” Noah persisted.
Rosalyn’s heart sank and she brushed back a piece of hair that had slipped free of its glittery prison. “There is nohint, Cade. I said what I had to, to get rid of him.”
He scoffed. “Convenient.”
Linc’s mouth hung open. “Bro.”
“What?” Cade rocked the chair back again. “There’s a reason you won’t stand up to him, Rosalyn. A reason you keep him in your life.”
“You don’t get it.” Rosalyn’s voice shook despite her efforts. Her chest burned beneath her hoodie. “You’re not the one whose life or family could be in danger if you upset the guy holding all the cards. Besides, tonight I?—”
“Is there even any danger, Rosalyn?” Cade squinted at her. His cocky expression made her want to slap him—and maybe cry. “You’re so quick to believe all of this guy’s lies. There’s a reason for that too.” He shook his head. “Probably because you don’t actually want to get divorced.”
“Divorced?” Elisa and Zoey echoed this time.
Noah scooted his chair back with a screech against the tile. “Look, maybe we should let these two talk in priv?—”
“There’s only been one lie.” Substantial though it was. “Blaine tried to help me, granted, with a bad idea, and yeah, he lied about where the money came from, but he’s not acompletemonster.” Because that would make her a complete idiot. And she’d shut Blaine down tonight, hadn’t she? She was handling this on her own. “Regardless, that doesn’t mean I want todatehim.”
Cade’s eyes flickered in challenge. “No, just marry him.”
Ouch. Her nails dug into her palm. “Well, I’m sorry I can’t make a call and have my dad fix everything for me. Some people try to handle their own messes.”
The shop fell silent, the tension pulsing in Rosalyn’s ears. She sucked in a tight breath. “Cade, listen…”
“No, I think it’s time you listen to yourself, Rosalyn. Because I hear you loud and clear.” Cade’s chair landed hard on the floor and he stood. “I’ve lost my appetite, Zoey. Thanks anyway.”
Rosalyn’s heart twisted. He had it all wrong. But the fact he could even believe all this about her told her what she needed to know.
She still wasn’t good enough for Cade Landry.
Her stomach knotted as he walked toward the door, away from her. Away from them.
“By the way.” He paused, turned, one hand on the knob. “I checked your accounts. Pretty sure that not-a-monster husband of yours has been stealing all your money.”
The glass rattled as the door slammed behind him.
* * *
