Page 121 of Between the Lines

There’s no strength left to hold myself together, or keep silent a moment longer. A fat tear rolls down my cheek.

Caden’s lips pull to the side, revealing the charming smirk I fell for long before I was ready to admit it.

He reaches out, cupping the side of my face, and swipes the tear away with his thumb.

“You love me?” I ask.

Caden nods, his eyes widening as he studies my face.

“Yeah, I fucking love you.”

I laugh, shaking my head as the tears fade away.

“I was really pissed at you all week, you know. That's why I didn't text you back—”

Caden cuts me off. “I know, I should’ve given you the space you asked for.” I reach out, grabbing his hand, stopping him in his mental tracks.

“It’s okay. All of your messages made me think.”

“Oh yeah, and what’s the consensus?”

I smirk and squeeze his hand. “That I love you too . . . and I’m sorry for the way I left, and for saying this was all a mistake. It wasn’t. Not at all.”

Caden pulls me into a hug, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, his large hand cupping the back of my head to his chest. The thumping of his heart fills my ears, and I lean my head back to look up at him.

“So . . . we going back to boss and manager?” I ask teasingly, but my stomach clenches with a remnant of fear. He smashes it away with one simple gesture.

Caden tips his head forward, lips crashing into mine. His touch sends shivers down my spine, and I smile against his mouth.

“No, Fia, we are never going back.” He kisses me again, then pulls his head back. “I missed you. I missed both my girls.”

I pinch my lips together, my heart swelling.

“We missed you too,” I whisper. Then I step back, his arms unraveling from me. “You going to tell me what happened to your face now?” I say, hands on hips, and Caden cracks a wide grin, chuckling.

“Fuck, I missed you.” He rubs his palm over his stubble, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll tell you later. But first, I have one more surprise for you.”

I cock my head back slightly. “No, I don’t want anything else. You’ve already done so much for me.”

Caden ignores my protests.

“Just hear me out, Hanson.” He winks and hands me the note card. Confused, I take it from him and look down.

It’s blank.

“There’s nothing written on this . . .” I scratch my brow. “That was all from your heart? Okay, Casanova.” I laugh, my chest bursting with warmth.

“Flip it over.”

A silver key is taped to the other side. My breath hitches, and I trail my eyes slowly up to him, disbelief pattering through me.

“What’s this?”

“A key to the door behind you.”

I look back at the paper-covered door. “I don’t get it . . .” I let out a confused laugh.

Caden grabs my hand and walks me backwards with a flirty gaze.