marriage had always been warm and fuzzy and complete fiction, Cady knew the truth. Marriage, love and commitment were illusions. What happened after the honeymoon? Compromise to the point of losing one’s self, resentment or disgust replacing affection for your once-dreamy significant other, and—ultimately—betrayal and distrust. Not that Bianca saw it that way.
“His family is throwing us an engagement party Friday,” Bianca added, pulling Cady from her thoughts. “Apparently they know the woman who owns one of the inns on the lake.”
Cady stared at Bianca. “Friday as in two days?”
Bianca nodded. “You have to come.”
Cady frowned. “What does Zach do?”
“He’s a promoter for a luxury resort chain. He just loves it. They have locations all over the world that he gets to visit. And they’re growing.”
“While he’s off traveling the world, you’ll stay here?” Cady asked, frowning.
Bianca shrugged.
“Well, you can’t travel all the time,” Cady pointed out. “What about the shop?”
Bianca’s answer was soft, “We haven’t worked out all the details yet.”
“Details of your everyday life? Don’t you think you should do that before making him fifty percent owner in your shop? Texas is a fifty-fifty state, Bibi.” She took a deep breath. “You love your shop. You’ve fought tooth and nail to buy that space, to open your own business. Since the day we met, you’ve talked about this. Having a shop like the one your grandfather had in Puerto Rico.”
“Cady,” Bianca sighed. “Zach is willing to take a demotion so he doesn’t have to travel.”
“You don’t think he’d come to resent you for that later?” Cady shook her head. “I know you, Bibi. If there’s a compromise to be made, you’re the one who’ll end up making it.”
Bianca shook her head. “We’ll find a way to make it work without sacrificing our personal dreams along the way.” Bianca paused, stirring her iced tea with a long spoon. “The shop wasn’t my only dream, Cady. You know that.”
Cady did know. Bianca was the earth-mother type. Cady fought to convince her that kids, the minivan, the Saturday soccer games, big birthday parties and the adoring husbands would never be as rewarding as a solid career and loyal friendships. Bianca didn’t buy it. Even after having her heart ground to bits, Bianca held on to the hope that she’d find real love and support in the form of her own personal Prince Charming.
“Shack up with the guy,” Cady argued. “Why do you need to marry this Zach?”
Bianca laughed. “My family would love that.”
“They’re okay with you marrying some guy you’ve known for five minutes?”
Bianca frowned at her. “It’s been longer than that.”
Cady shot her a disbelieving look. “Fine, five hours.”
“I love him, Cady. I see a future with him. One I want.” She stared into her iced tea. “It would mean a lot if you could support me.”
Bianca was serious. Dead serious. And Cady didn’t know what to do. Since freshman year of college, the two of them had been through a lot. They didn’t have much in common, but somehow that didn’t matter. Bianca had grown up in a huge, sometimes too invasive family of unwavering loyalty and strong opinions—freely shared. While Cady’s childhood was comprised of disappointing birthdays, indifferent and cold holidays, and broken promises. Over the years, Bianca had been a conscience when Cady needed it. And Cady had been the realist when Bianca needed it. Apparently, that wasn’t right now, no matter what Cady thought.
“I love you, Bibi.” Cady took her friend’s hand in hers. “I’m not a good liar, you know that, so I can’t gush and jump up and down over this, okay? But I’ll try to wrap my head around this for you.”
Bianca smiled. “I really appreciate it, Cady. Give him a chance. I know you’ll become good friends.”
Cady shrugged. She didn’t want to be good friends with him. She liked things the way they were. Adding a man to this equation made her a third wheel.
“I’ll be back, nature calls.” Bianca left their café table and headed inside.
Cady sighed, taking the last sip of her drink. She picked up the last olive and stared at it, turning the toothpick in her fingers. She could almost feel Patton’s pale blue eyes, staring down at her, jaw locked as his arms braced him over her. Feel the muscles along his sides beneath her hands rippling as he moved into her. She shuddered, dropping the olive into her empty glass.
She blinked, staring down the street at the crowds milling about. Patton had been a mistake. He was the sort of man a girl didn’t forget. He was the sort she spent the rest of her life comparing her bedmates to. He’d made her feel sexy and beautiful—and he’d left an ache inside her she was having a hard time ignoring.
She’d crept out of that bed as quietly as possible. She always made sure never to be the one waking up in an empty bed: it was an ego thing really. But after such an amazing night, she couldn’t risk it. She’d glanced at Patton as she retrieved her clothing from under the bed, the top of the dresser, the bathroom floor and one of the lampshades. If he’d woken up, she would have gladly gone for another round. But he hadn’t woken up. Normally, she didn’t linger or have to force herself to leave. But their night together had been anything but normal. In the end she’d left—torn. And his memory remained. She picked up the olive, spinning it in her fingers. How could she still ache for the burn of his touch, for him?
“Cady?” Bianca sat down. “What’s the matter? You’ve been so preoccupied recently. Maybe you have someone special in your life you’re keeping a secret?”
Cady drew in a deep breath. She wasn’t going to tell Bianca about Patton. When she’d asked how the date went, Cady told her there wasn’t much to tell. She’d said that she and Patton had had a little conversation and parted ways. Which was mostly true. Why she didn’t want to talk about him—to share him or that night—was a mystery. Normally, she told Bianca everything, no matter how shocking. But this time was different. She still wanted Patton. So it was best not to think about him or his piercing eyes. Or the way his breath felt on her stomach. Or his fingers along her side, gripping her hip. She swallowed. So much for not thinking about him.
Every time she saw a broad set of shoulders and thick, unruly black hair, she was gripped with a knot of anticipation so strong she could barely move.
“No.” Cady shook her head. “Nobody special. Work. And since I have to go to your engagement party Friday night, I can’t go trawling for a good time.” Which was a shame because the best way to get over Patton was to replace him.
Bianca shook her head. “I worry about you.”
Cady waved her away. “Don’t worry about me. I don’t want to give you wrinkles.” She winked. “So, I’m guessing his family is happy? Since this party is happening.”
Bianca nodded. “It’s his mother mostly, a delightful woman. So sweet.”
“And Zach’s father?”
“Mr.
