“Jada,” Max said, leaning against the doorway, “you’re mowing the sidewalk here.”
I laughed hard. “I have absolutely no idea what that means.”
“What I’m saying is that you’re doing something that isn’t necessary.You’re sitting up here avoiding Cane—hell, you’re avoiding life—because your ex-husband was a dick.”
I began to respond, but Max waved me off.
“Look, I haven’t known you all that long, and I sure as hell am not a psychiatrist. But not all guys are like the one you married. Take Cane, for example. My man is clearly not a saint. Hell, he could start an argument in an empty house, for cryin’ out loud. But you know what? He isn’t a complete asshole either. If nothing else, he’s a good guy to have in your corner.” He turned on his heel and shut the door behind him.
I considered his words until I remembered the part about Cane dropping by. I darted into the bathroom, a burst of excitement coursing through me.
Crap. I look like a mess.
I brushed my teeth, pulled a brush through my hair, and changed into a pair of yoga pants and a soft-pink long-sleeved shirt.
He’s going to pull to the curb and leave. He won’t come in here. Why would he?
I coated my lips with a thin pink gloss and swiped on some mascara.
It never hurts to look cute. Just in case.
I headed back into the bedroom just as my phone rang on my bedside table.
Maybe it’s Cane, calling to see if he can come in.
I rolled my eyes at myself as I looked at the number. BLOCKED was flashing on the phone, so I clicked it to voicemail. I picked up the phone and held it, waiting for a voicemail notification. After a few minutes, it was obvious that there would be no message.
Ding dong.
My chest constricted. He was here.
I’m like a damn junkie.
I rolled my eyes at myself, sitting on the bed.He got the memo. He hasn’t asked for anything. This can’t happen, and he knows it now, too. Obviously.
The door opened and shut. I held my breath, straining to hear the murmured voices downstairs.
Everything went quiet until I heard footsteps on the staircase. With each step, my heart picked up its pace. As the footsteps reached the landing, a knock sounded on my door.
I froze.
There were two more loud knocks.
“Max said you were up here, Jada. Can I come in?” Cane asked softly.
Goose bumps broke out across my skin at the sound of the voice I had been playing on repeat through my mind for days. I really wanted to see him, but I really needed not to. I was screwed either way.
In typical Cane fashion, he didn’t give me an option.
He opened the door slowly and poked his head around the corner. “Hey,” he said, smiling sweetly at me, causing me to melt a little on the spot.
“Hey,” I said, giving him a small grin.
“Can I come in?”
“Does it matter what I say?”
“Good point. I’m coming in regardless.” He walked confidently into my room, closing the door behind him. Dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a gray T-shirt, he looked even better than I remembered.
