Unintentional (8 page)

As she makes her way to the table, all heads turn her way. She doesn’t notice. Or, this happens so often, she’s used to it. She sits down right across from me, and her assistant plops down on the seat to her right. Her assistant looks like she’s trying not to smile. That’s right, she was laughing yesterday. I look back over at Laurel; she peers back intently.

My breath escapes involuntarily as I look into her eyes, another thing I neglected to notice yesterday. Her eyes. Eyes like I’ve never seen before, light brown with threads of blue – exotic and stunning. Right now, though, those eyes look a little pissed. That would be my
fault. Shit. Shit. Shit. I don’t think an apology will be enough for this girl.

Okay, I better just launch right in. “Thanks for meeting me. I’m Cade, by the way. I don’t think we’ve been introduced properly.” I look closely to see if this has thawed her any. Nope.

But she nods and reaches over, giving me her hand. “I’m Laurel, and this is my assistant, Sophie,” she replies in a very businesslike, professional manner.

I take her hand and shake it, but, for some reason I don’t let go right away. This must be some delayed reaction to the humiliation I felt about yesterday’s episode. I reluctantly release my hold and reach over to Sophie. Sophie shakes my hand, accompanied by a knowing grin and a giggle. I immediately like her.

I rub my sweaty palms on my jeans. “I’d like to apologize for yesterday. As I said, I haven’t been myself.”

Laurel

Should I make him squirm some more? Hmm. He looks so earnest, sitting across from me. I almost feel bad for him. Almost.

I ask, “So, Cade, I’m curious, why did you think we were hookers?” I’ve said this a little loud, and a few people turn to look.

Cade looks like he wants to be anywhere but here. He leans on the table and puts his hands over his face. It looks like he has a headache and is rubbing his temples.

He shrugs. “Scott told me he had a surprise for me and to be ready at seven. You arrived at exactly seven. I, uh, thought you were my surprise.” He stops suddenly and holds up his hands. “I didn’t want that type of surprise, but it reminded me of something Scott would do. Not that I wouldn’t want you, but…” He shuts his mouth quickly, knowing he’s digging himself in deeper.

Now I’m starting to feel a little bad for him. Sophie chokes on her water next to me. I knew she wouldn’t be able to get through this lunch without losing it. I don’t know why she thinks this is so hilarious. I give her shin a good kick and reply to Cade.

“It’s forgotten. Obviously, you’ve given Sophie a good laugh.”

I pause to glare at her. Cade smiles at Sophie. He seems grateful.

He asks, “How did you get my address anyway?”

This conversation has taken a sudden shift. Now it’s my turn to
be embarrassed. I can feel the heat start to rise from my neck up to my face. He’s looking at me, waiting for my answer.

I look over at Sophie for help. We didn’t plan this part of the meeting. She’s looking up at the ceiling, ever so nonchalantly, obviously enjoying my discomfort.

“We kinda followed Scott,” I answer. “But wait. Before you come to any conclusions, it was only as a last resort. We really wanted to talk with you, but Scott wouldn’t give us any information. We sincerely are the most honest, reliable people to work with. Really.”

At that very moment, I hear a loud British accent. It’s Handsome British Man. He’s headed right for our table.

“Hey! It’s my beautiful friends from the airport.” He looks over at Sophie. “Are you feeling better?” he asks.

She looks confused. “Sure. Yes, I’m doing fine, thank you.”

He leans over to Cade, offering his hand. “You must be the husband. It’s nice to meet you.”

Cade raises one eyebrow as he looks over at me. “Yes, I’m the lucky man. My
wife
is something else.”

Handsome British Man replies, “If I had a looker like that, I’d be daft to let her out of my sight. Bloody hell, they don’t make
beauties like these back home.”

He’s practically drooling on me. This guy is starting to become obnoxious. He rests his arm on our table, his face is about four inches from mine, and I think he’s trying to smell my neck. This is not going well.

Cade senses my discomfort. He leans back in his chair, casually crossing his arms. “Well, this little beauty is mine, so you’re going to need to sod off now.”

It’s my turn to laugh. I look at him and smile with appreciation. I notice his expression changes for a moment. His smile falters, but he regains it almost immediately.

Handsome British Man, who doesn’t seem so handsome anymore, takes the hint and leaves in a huff.

Cade, still in his relaxed position says, “So, go on. You were telling me how honest and reliable you are?”

So many feelings war with me at once. I’m still angry at him for thinking I was a hooker. I’m totally embarrassed about the, um, detective work we did. Now, he’s taunting me about trying to shake the loser at the airport. What’s with this guy? He’s infuriating!

“What would you do?” I respond. “It’s usually the easiest way
to get rid of unwanted attention.”

Cade gives me a big smile. I need help, because those dimples are showing, and I’ve totally lost my train of thought. The feelings of attraction I had for him the first time I saw him a month ago make an unwelcome appearance. My entire body starts to heat up, and I’m so afraid he’s going to notice. Well, actually, it would be worse if Sophie notices, because she’d call me out on it. Here I was, enjoying Cade’s squirming, and now it’s my turn.

“That happens to you a lot, doesn’t it?” he asks.

“Sometimes. Why?” I respond.

He shrugs. “I just figured as much. So you lie to get out of it?”

Here we go, back to the honesty thing. Ugh.

“I’m sure you have your share of girls approaching you, Cade. I’m not blind, so don’t sit here and tell me you don’t tell them a little white lie to spare their feelings.”

He nods his acknowledgment. “Yes, I’ll admit to it, but I wasn’t sitting here two minutes ago telling you how honest I was.” I can tell by the expression on his face he’s totally enjoying this.

I give him my best glare, and it only seems to improve his mood. “You like making me angry, don’t you? You’re enjoying this!”

Cade chuckles. “Okay, okay. I’m done. It’s just that you get the funniest expression on your face when you’re backed into a corner. Did you know you have a little crease between your eyebrows every time you get upset?”

Unconsciously, I reach up and smooth out the area in question.

Sophie picks now to join the conversation. “Oh, you two! This is so fun to watch. It’s like watching a real-life sparring match.”

Cade looks over at Sophie and laughs. “I knew I liked you.” And those dimples make another appearance.

This time my body goes into total revolt. My palms are so sweaty, I think they may be dripping. My heart makes a treacherous leap, and resumes beating triple time. I have to force my breathing to slow down, so I don’t look like I feel, like I’ve just completed a marathon. I need to quit looking at his face. He’s too good-looking. I decide to check out his tattoos. He’s wearing a t-shirt so I can see about an inch of inked skin.

I’m staring so intently, I don’t notice the conversation has come to a halt. I look back up into those eyes. They’re so beautiful, and they’re looking right back at me. I can’t look away. I’m captivated, frozen. I’ve stopped breathing for a moment. It’s electric.
Cade takes his eyes off mine for a moment to glance down at my lips. Damn, I’m busted. I think he knows what he’s doing to me. Thankfully, at the very moment I’m sure I’m going to melt into a puddle, the waitress comes over to take our order. I’m saved, for now.

The lunch was actually very nice. Both Sophie and I take turns asking Cade questions, and he asks his own in return. I’m trying very hard to lay down the groundwork for a future business relationship. Having Hard Reign sign with me would be a great opportunity – for both of us.

I started recruiting three years ago, and so far, things have gone remarkably well. Six talented artists have signed on, all scattered along the west coast. Two I’m pretty sure will get a recording contract in the next three months. The other four bands are still in the development stage, performing around their home towns, building up their fan base. Their situation is very similar to the stage Hard Reign is currently in. They’ve built up a great fan base here. Now is the time to make a demo and start shopping them to the music studios. I know I can get them a recording contract. They’re incredibly talented.

I’m about to launch into my mega-convincing sales pitch, when Cade stops me abruptly.

“I know what you’re going to ask.” He holds his hands up. “Scott told me you want to sign us.”

“That’s exactly what I want to do, Cade.”

He shakes his head, “Not going to happen. Not now, anyway.”

My emotions are all over the place. One minute, I’m angry, the next, embarrassed, then the following moment, I want to jump him, and now, I’m back to angry. I slump back in my seat.

I have to know. “Why not?”

Cade stares down at the table. He seems to be conflicted. “I’m just not in a place to make any decisions. You saw me yesterday. I’ve been like that for a month.”

I ask, “How long are you going to allow yourself to be like that?”

Cade’s head pops up, and I get another one of his piercing stares. His look is a mixture of anger, and there’s something else in his expression. I just can’t place it. I’m not going to back down. I’ll continue to stare right back until I get an answer.

After what seems like forever, his eyes soften, and he answers, “I don’t know.” He takes his sad eyes and looks out the window.

So this is what heartbreak looks like. He’s suffering, I know
with certainty. I won’t mention to him I think he’s lucky. I wish I could feel that strongly for someone, even if it was for just a little while. I can feel tears threaten the back of my eyes. I blink them away quickly, but it’s too late. Cade is staring at me again – this time with a questioning look on his face.

I smile brightly and say, “Can we check back with you in a few months?”

“It’s going to take longer. I won’t be making any decisions for at least a year.”

“
A year!
” I scream.
What the hell?

I’ve startled both Cade and Sophie. I guess I shouldn’t have shouted it.

“Cade, there’s so much we can do in a year’s time. Please rethink this.” I’m starting to sweat again. This day just keeps getting longer.

Cade’s smile is gentle this time, like he knows he’s upset me, and this time it looks like he’s trying to smooth it over.

“Yeah. I’ve made my decision. I’m going back to work next week at my engineering firm. If the guys in the band still want me, I’m going to start practicing with them again. I’m not sure about
performing yet. I don’t know if I’ll go back.”

My eyes close in an effort to stay calm. “I totally get why you need some time off. But, Cade, why would you even consider not performing? You’re so damn good. Correction, you’re great.”

Cade looks resigned. “I just know myself. I know it’s going to take me that long to get over things, and to figure out what I want to do with my life. Like I said, right now isn’t the time to make life-changing decisions.”

“But a year? That’s so long!” I’ve always been an impatient person, and it’s coming through loud and clear.

Sophie laughs, touching my arm. It’s her signal for me to back off.

Sophie asks, “So, Cade, let’s say we wait a year and you decide to go forward with the band. Can we have the first crack at you?”

It’s obvious Sophie and Cade have already bonded.

He reaches over and shakes her hand. “It’s a deal.”

Sophie jumps up suddenly and says, “Fantastic! Laurel, I’ll leave you to finish up. I’m going down to the valet to get the car.” Off she goes. Great, it’s just the two of us.

Cade asks, “Can I walk you to your car?”

I get up and retrieve my purse from under the table. That’s a relief. I don’t want to sit and stare at him any longer. Sitting across from him is exhausting. The pull I feel for him has totally scattered my brain. I can’t even think straight. We head down a long, dark corridor leading out toward the street.

Cade stops suddenly and takes me by the shoulders. “Can I ask you a favor?”

He’s so close, I can smell his aftershave, and I’m momentarily disoriented. I nod. He turns me halfway around so my back is against the wall, he still has his hands on me. What is he doing? He leans in. His mouth is only an inch from mine. I thought I was all kinds of messed up at lunch. Now, my body is in full alert. Fight or flight. Do I run? His lips brush softly against mine. Oh, no – I’m not running.

“It’s an experiment,” he says as he continues to sweep his soft, full lips against mine. He does this a few more times until I think I’m going to go crazy. I have never felt anything like this. Ever. I need more, so I let my head tilt just slightly. That’s apparently when the flood gates open, because Cade suddenly pushes me against the wall, deepening the kiss. His body is pressed against mine with the perfect amount of pressure. I hear him groan as he grasps the back of my head
and pulls on my hair gently. My hands curl into the fabric of his t-shirt as I pull him closer. What is happening? The feelings rushing through me are the most powerful, all-consuming I’ve ever experienced. He lets go of me suddenly and takes a step back.

“Good. I’m not dead.” He turns and says, “I’ll see you in a year!” Then he leaves.

What?

∗∗∗

“I told you, Sophie, I hate him and I don’t ever want to see him again.”

Sophie is exasperated. “Laurel! Just stop ranting and tell me what he did. I don’t get it. We worked so hard to get him to at least talk to us when he makes his decision. Now you just want to throw all that effort away?”

“Yes. If it means I never have to see him again.”

I’m pacing back and forth in our hotel room. It’s a lovely room, right in the heart of Seattle, with views that reach across the sound to the Olympic Mountains. I stop at the window and look out.