business duo night. “First, coffee at The Grind. Either that or grab a beer at Truth or Dare.”
We all look at the line at the brewery, and I spot Jed and Cade at the bar through the window. There are so many people in there that I’m shocked.
“Do people come here from other towns?” I ask.
Adam shrugs. “Sometimes. But honestly, Sunrise Bay is larger than it seems. People just don’t always congregate in town because they like to hate on the tourists who keep our community thriving.” He rolls his eyes.
We grab a coffee from The Grind first. Although I would’ve preferred a beer, I’m not sure I’m ready for another interaction with Cade. Then we wait in line at Fired Up to paint our pottery and I learn more about how long Xavier and Clara have been friends from Adam, who is pretty chatty for a guy who, up until a few days ago, I thought could give a monk a run for his money on the quiet game.
Finally, we get a table for four. Four white ceramic flowers have been laid beside a bouquet of real flowers. A fancy card advertises Twisted Stem.
“They’re so cute,” I say, and Clara nods. “I call lily.” I snag it from the middle of the table.
“I’ll take the daisy,” Clara says.
“So we’re left with roses? Why are the two men painting roses?” Xavier asks.
“Stop being so gender-biased.” Clara elbows him, and he fakes an injury.
We get all the paint on our pallets and study the real flowers in the middle of the table.
“This is relaxing,” I say, painting my ceramic flower and listening to the overhead music. Hopefully none of the songs send Adam into a tizzy.
We’re halfway through and Xavier and Adam are telling me the story of when Marla and Hank got together when a big body sits down on a stool next to me.
I look over. “Cade! Are you painting?”
His gaze scours the table, but I go back to my project, dipping my brush into the yellow.
“Sure.” He snatches a lily from a nearby table and grabs a paintbrush.
“Thought you were tending bar?” Adam asks.
“I’m done. Saw you four and figured I’d join in.”
“Where’s Jed?” Xavier asks.
“He’s still at the bar. You know anything artsy isn’t his thing.”
They all nod in agreement.
“Why not?” I ask.
Cade groans. “He’s stubborn. Just doesn’t do shit he doesn’t want to.”
“Oh, that’s sad. I mean, I think you learn a lot from doing shit you wouldn’t otherwise do.” They all laugh. “What?”
“You swore. You look like the type who wouldn’t swear.” Clara giggles again.
“Do you guys think I’m some goody-two-shoes?” I guess that’s better than bitch though.
“We don’t know much about you. Why don’t you tell us some stuff?” Xavier asks.
Cade’s eyes flash to mine, as though he wants information on me too. I guess it’s true that I already know so much about him and he knows nothing about me.
“Not a lot to say. I’m from Connecticut. I graduated from Boston University with a business degree. My dad is an investor and my mom stayed at home. I have no sib—”
Clara and I look at one another.
“I didn’t grow up with a sibling, although I have a sister now.” I smile at Clara and she returns it.
“I heard she’s awesome,” Xavier says, and Clara’s cheeks grow pink.
“That’s about it,” I say with a shrug.
“All the bullet points,” Cade says. There’s something in his voice I’m not sure I understand.
“Yeah,” I say in a low voice, concentrating on painting.
Xavier and Clara go up to hand their pieces to Theo, who runs Fired Up, and get sidetracked talking to someone. Adam gets up a few minutes later. I have no idea how they finished so fast.
Cade puts down his pottery piece and my stomach churns since I know he’s going to say something to me. “I had a lot of fun the other week, at Northern Lights.”
“Yeah? You like hanging out with the older crowd?” I laugh in an attempt to appear like I’m not concerned about what he might say.
“Can you answer a question?” His voice is tight for some reason.
“Depends.” I continue to work on my ceramic, not wanting to meet the intensity of his eyes.
“Why are you on a date with my brother?”
I glance over, blinking. Surely he’s not jealous of his brother who is technically still married to a woman he’s clearly still in love with? Not to mention—why would Cade be jealous of anyone?
“I’m not on a date. I asked