Me
Cade’s interview is almost over. Should be done in an hour
Mally?
I guess I’ll hitchhike
“How long have you been using Loc & Key products?” Lula asks, the final question on the list I provided.
Cade leans forward in his seat, and dark locs hang over his shoulders, perfected by Emma’s hands. “Since I was eighteen. I started my loc journey right before college. I would’ve started sooner, but my mom was adamant I wait until I was an adult because locs are a long-term commitment.”
Lula’s rich laugh fills my ears. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Their conversation has flowed easily over the last half hour, but that’s how it is with Cade. Everyone he meets walks away thinking they’ve made a new best friend.
“When you moved to California, did you see a different loctician?”
Cade’s smile deepens when Emma shoots him a glare. “I did have to see someone else, but he was Emma-approved, and I’m thankful he squeezed me into his tight schedule. Now that I’m back, it’s Emma or nobody.”
“You’ve got that right!” Emma shouts, and a wild howl of laughter rips out of him.
This is the Cade I remember. The sunshine that lit up every room he walked into. People are often drawn to golden people. The ones who look like they don’t have a single care in the world. The ones who shine bright, even if the world is crumbling around them. The ones who feel like they can’t be themselves until everyone around them is happy. But as beautiful as the sun is, I’ve always preferred cloudy days. I spent so long hoping Cade’s clouds would appear, saturated and heavy with all the things he kept pent up until they finally fell, released like a torrent of rain. Not because I wanted to see Cade sad, scared, or angry, but because I wanted to see therealCade.
Like the one I saw earlier.
“This is my last question for the day.” Lula tosses me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry I didn’t run this question by your team first, but I’m feeling snoopy.”
Frustration sends me to my feet and my phone clatters to the ground, capturing Cade’s attention. His head turns enough to meet my eyes, but when he nods, I sit back down.
He faces Lula. “You better be glad I like you.”
She giggles like a schoolgirl. “Everyone wants to know if you’re available. You haven’t been publicly tied to anyone before, but is there a special someone in hiding? I’m dying to get a little more information about the golden boy.”
I should be annoyed, but for some reason I want him to answer. I have no idea what Cade did after we split up, and I refused to ask Mallory for updates. Hearing he moved on would’ve wrecked me.
“Ah.” A slow smile takes over his face. “There was someone very special to me. Still is, if I’m being honest, but that’s something that’ll stay between the two of us. And for those wondering, no, I’m not available or looking.”
My breath hitches when his eyes dart to me for half a second.
Lula slaps her thigh. “A good man! Thank you for speaking with me today. I’m sure our partnership will be fruitful.”
As the camera crew cuts, my phone vibrates against the plastic table, and I rush outside. I can’t miss a Garrett Blane test, but when I check the caller ID, it isn’t him.
“So, I have good news and bad news,” Mallory whispers after I answer. “Which do you want first?”
I’m feeling oddly positive, so I say, “Good news.”
“Dr. Darleen Johnson, diabetes researchqueen, invited me to get coffee and discuss post-grad opportunities! Should I be normal and get hot chocolate or be cool and get coffee?”
She’s so cute when she’s nervous. “Be yourself and get hot chocolate.”
“That’s why you’re my best friend,” She takes a deep breath. “The bad news is I can’t take you home because I’m meeting her right now. I’m sorry.”
I’m too excited to care. “Don’t stress. I’ll get a ride. Text me updates later.”
“I will strangle you if you hitchhike, Shaylene!” she screams before clicking off.
Within thirty minutes, the studio is cleared out. After finalizing the shoot’s details, thanking the millions of people on set, verifying the endorsement contract one last time with Lula, and ordering my ride home, I breathe in the crisp afternoon air.
