Page 33 of Kade
My fingers tap the underside of the table nervously as the hostess leaves, and the waitress takes our drink orders. I feel completely out of place. But not Kade. No, he looks like he eats here every night. How does this man go from hands covered in grease to wearing a… “How much did your suit cost?”
Kade’s mouth twitches, his eyes twinkling at me. “You sound a little riled up there, Bec. Do you not like my suit?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re dodging the question. How much did it cost?”
Kade’s smile dims, and he shrugs, “A few grand, I think. “
“Right,” I mutter as I look down at my thirty dollar Target dress.
“Becca,” Kade says softly, “look at me.” Though his tone is soft, I hear the steel in his words. I reluctantly raise my eyes to meet his. I swallow thickly.
“I don’t fit in here, Kade.”
His eyes sharpen on mine, and his forehead creases. “The fuck you don’t.”
I tighten my lips. “My menu doesn’t have any prices on it, but I’m pretty sure a salad will cost more than I paid for my dress.” I shift my gaze around the room. “No other woman in here is wearing something from Target.” Jesus, I want to punch myself in the tit for the words coming out of my mouth. But I am so out of my comfort zone here.
“I don’t give a fuck what any other woman is wearing. You’re the only person in this place I care about, Becca.” Kade’s eyes are hard, glittering. I touch the top of his clenched hand, and he flips it to wrap my hand in his.
“I know,” I whisper, “but…” I search for the words to explain to him what I’m feeling. “Most of my life has been spent in sweats. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve worn a dress in the last five years. I just…” My words drift off. I feel so stupid.
“You’re not comfortable here,” he says flatly.
I wish I could say yes. I’m fine. And just forget about what I’m feeling. But I’m not about to start lying to him. “You fit, Kade. I don’t. No, I’m not comfortable,” I admit.
Kade’s snort makes my eyes widen. “You fit in here a fuck of a lot more than I do, Becca.” I don’t like that tone in his voice. He sounds…self-deprecating.
“From over here, you look like you fit in perfectly.”
He shakes his head. “I’ve eaten out of a fucking dumpster, Becca. I’ve slept under overpasses and used my fists to take what I needed. This is not my fucking world. I just visit it when I have to.”
“Have to…and you have to tonight?” I’m really confused now. “Why are we here, Kade?”
His hand tightens on mine as he shoves his other one through his hair. “I wanted to take you somewhere you deserved.”
I tighten my fingers on his. “And I deserve this restaurant?” I ask, still confused.
“You deserve the best, Becca,” he says with absolute sincerity.
I exhale, the air leaving me in a rush. I extend my other hand across the table in invitation. Kade takes it, his focus completely on me.
“I love that you think that. I really do. But do you like it here? The truth Kade.”
He slowly shakes his head and mutters, “We’ve done a few deals here, but I hate it. I feel like I’m in a fucking fishbowl. It’s the best restaurant in the city, and I don’t get it. The portions are way too small, and I usually have to hit a drive-thru after.”
I let out a giggle of relief. Kade’s lips tilt, too. “Kade.”
“Becca.”
“I’m pretty sure I saw an Outback a couple blocks away. Can we go there? I’d really like a Bloomin’ Onion.”
Kade’s smile grows, his eyes lighting up. “Fuck yeah we can. I’ll take you anywhere you want.”
Kade stands and throws a hundred-dollar bill on the table, then grabs my hand and rushes us out the door.
I laugh the whole way to Outback.
17
