Page 46 of Suddenly Yours

There were no dramatic declarations. No grand plans. Just honesty and the quiet understanding that whatever this was, we were choosing it together.

We talked for a while about his house, the way Silver Cove felt different now that we’d both stopped trying to live lives meant for other people. At some point, the rain deepened, the sound steady and soothing, and Cade’s breathing evened out beside me.

I set my alarm silently for four a.m.

When it buzzed faintly hours later, I untangled myself from his hold and slipped carefully from the bed, moving slowly so I wouldn’t wake him. I pulled on my clothes in the dim light. My heart felt lighter, my steps uncharacteristically quiet. I was halfway to the door when his voice stopped me.

“Missy.”

I turned. He was propped up on one elbow. His hair was rumpled and his eyes were heavy with sleep.

“Go back to bed,” I whispered as I moved closer and leaned in to kiss him. “I can walk to work from here.”

He studied me for a long second, then nodded. He pulled me down again and this time his kiss was slow and unhurried, full of warmth and certainty.

“Be careful,” he said softly. “There’s an umbrella in the closet by the front door.”

“I will.”

I slipped out into the early morning rain. The cool morning air felt wonderful against my skin under his large umbrella. The streetlights still glowed brightly, highlight beams that cut through the morning mist and fog. The world felt quiet and new, and I didn’t even mind getting a little wet.

I was practically floating.

Chapter Thirteen

Cade

I woke to the sound of rain tapping softly against the windows and the echo of Missy’s absence beside me. The sheets were still warm where she’d been, faintly scented like her. For a second, I lay there staring at the ceiling, letting the reality settle in.

Missy. In my bed. In my life, in a new way.

Yeah. That wasn’t something I was getting over anytime soon.

I finally rolled out of bed and stretched the stiffness from my shoulders. Then I headed for the shower. Hot water beat down over my neck as my mind replayed the way she’d slipped out before dawn, the quiet kiss she’d pressed to my mouth, the way she’d smiled like she was carrying a secret just for herself. I’d wanted to drag her back under the covers and keep her there. Instead, I’d let her go.

Progress. Or stupidity. The jury was still out.

By the time I pulled on clean jeans, a gray Henley, and my worn work boots, the house felt more awake than it usually did this early. With all the work I’d done, the place was finally starting to feel like a home.

I grabbed my phone and fired off a group text to my crew.

Meet you at the bakery in twenty. Breakfast is on me.

I’d done this a handful of times since Missy opened her doors. It was half bribery, half morale booster. One hundred percent in support of her dream.

My guys never complained about starting the day with fresh coffee and pastries instead of gas station burritos.

Sweet Expectations was already lit up when I parked in the front spot. The rain had slowed to a mist and the streets were still quiet except for the gulls and the distant sound of the harbor. I pushed through the front door, and the smell of cinnamon rolls and fresh bread wrapped around me like a damn hug.

Missy was behind the counter with her hair pulled back in one of those sexy messy buns. She glanced up and looked a little surprised to see me, but then her smile softened.

“Good morning,” she said. “You’re up early.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” I replied honestly. “Are you okay?” I whispered and glanced toward the back, where I could hear her workers still moving around.

She nodded and rolled her shoulders. “I’m practically floating today for some mysterious reason,” she said quietly.

That word hit me right in the chest. Floating. Yeah, that’s how I felt too.