Hard Edge - Tess Oliver Page 0,72

few sparks coming from her nostrils. “Ken, why aren’t you working? I need those files done by noon.”

I walked right past her and into Caden’s arms. “You came. You came here for me.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. Nosy people had gathered around, but as far as I was concerned, we were standing alone. I lifted my face from his chest and peered up at him. “Take me home, Cade. I don’t belong here. I belong with you.”

“Get your stuff . . . and hurry. I pissed off the nosy security guard, and I think he’ll be up here any second.”

I raced back to my desk and grabbed my purse.

Ms. Bridger and her bright green blouse loomed in front of my desk. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

“Home. With my boyfriend.” I stopped and grinned at her. “And there’s no damn way you would have ever tamed him. By the way, he thought you were a stick figure. So, good job with the fat-free, sugar-free and happiness free diet.”

“You puffy faced twit,” she sneered, “I’ll make sure you never practice law.”

“Ooh, big threat. And, by the way, you may pride yourself on being a horrid, wretched person, but just remember when you die, everyone will just remember you as a horrid, wretched person. That will be the legacy you leave behind. It might even be carved on your headstone.”

Her heavily glossed lips twisted in a knot as I spoke, but it seemed for a change she was speechless.

I walked toward Caden, and he reached for my hand.

I glanced back over my shoulder at Ms. Bridger. “Why don’t you eat a damn cupcake every once in awhile. It might make you a better person.” Laughter rang out behind me as Caden and I reached the elevators.

The elevator next to us opened up and an angry looking security guard popped out just as the doors in front of us slid apart.

Caden pulled me inside and smacked the ground floor button. The doors shut on the guard’s angry scowl.

“What did you do to make him so mad?”

“He asked me who I had business with on the sixth floor. I told him I was here to see Trinket. He told me there was no one working in the building with that name and asked me to leave. But I told him he should do a better job of knowing who worked in the building. Then I told him to fuck off and jumped on an elevator.”

For the first time, we stopped to look at each other.

He stepped closer to me. I’d missed everything about him. But mostly, I missed how right it felt to be with him.

“I’m sorry you had a bad day.”

I shook my head. “It turned out to be the best damn day ever.”

He took my face in his hands. “Where the hell have you been, Trinket?” His mouth covered mine, and we kissed until the ground floor.

Epilogue

Caden

Three months later

I looked up from under the hood of the truck. Kenna’s face was split with a smile as she walked across the street to my dad’s house. “Did you get my text? We got the house. The rent is reasonable, and it’s just four streets over. That way we can make the parents happy and still have time away from them.”

“I’m excited. My mom and I figured out a work schedule around school, so I’ll be able to pitch in too. How was the lumber yard today?”

“Good. The day goes fast because there’s so much to do. How was your first day at the new school?”

“Fantastic,” she dropped her school bag on the lawn and leaned against the truck. “My advisor is extremely cool. And when she’s not working, she is the legal advisor for this giant non-profit organization that—get this—protects endangered species. She said she could get me an interview with them once I pass the bar. I might just be working with seals and dolphins after all.”

I wiped my hands on my jeans and circled around to stand in front of her. I pushed a stray strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. “Sounds great. I know that’s always been your dream.”

She reached up and took hold of my shirt to pull me closer. “I never told you about my life’s plan. I drew it up when I was nine.”

“Already a lawyer at nine.”

“Yes, and you were a part of the plan.”

“Oh really? A good part, I hope.”

“Good and integral to be exact. How are you at riding dolphins?”

I raised a brow. “I’m not completely sure. Why?”

“You’re going to need to learn because on our wedding day, we’re riding up to the beach ceremony on dolphins.”

“I think I can do that.” I pulled her into my arms. “So, Trinket, I was part of your life’s plan?”

“You still are, Caden Stratton.” She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me.

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