Cade slept well after his day with Meg. Having sex with someone other than his hand helped relax him, but it was so much more. She understood him and met him where he was. He didn't need a high pressure relationship. In fact, Meg wasn't like most of the professional women in Boston. They focused on the optics and as CEJ took off, Cade met their ideal, at least on paper. His commitment to his work ruined a few relationships barely out of the starting gate.

The new Cade had baggage, but no intense work schedule. Unfortunately, he would never reach her ideal because of his mother's choice in men. Maybe he should change his last name. The Attorney General would never allow his daughter to be linked to him.

The dilemma of his new relationship didn't keep him awake. Confetti's all day play date tired him out too, so he didn't bark at the wind. When Cade woke, he felt rested. Jumping up, he had to pick Meg up so they could go for a run. He planned to suggest the park Leigh took him to in the suburb. It was a sunny day, so the drive would be nice.

The night before Cade had sat looking up at her huge house after she and Blue disappeared behind the ornate door. It was nothing like the house where he grew up. His father commuted to Boston from their suburb thirty-five miles north of the city. He and Meg came from different worlds, but she made the salad and offered to cook for him. Her house looked like it needed an entire staff to run it. A different world.

In the morning sun, it looked as opposing as he remembered. He waited for her to emerge. Confetti barked when he saw her. She opened the back door and let Blue jump in.

"I have to get her things."

"Do you need help?"

She winked. "Because you want to meet my parents."

"Because I'm a nice guy."

She laughed. "I've got it. It's not much."

She returned with a plastic bin and a bag over her shoulder. He popped the trunk of his sedan for her. Once she settled in the front seat, he squeezed her hand. "Hi."

She giggled. "You look good."

He nodded. "I slept well. Um, I was wondering if you want to take a drive?"

"Sure. I need to return Blue. I texted him to let me know when he was home."

"Did he ask where you would be?"

"No. I don't think it occurred to him. He's too busy on his weekend getaway having sex."

"I know you're not jealous, and we can try to catch up later."

Meg laughed. "It was pretty great. I have a change of clothes today."

"Does that mean you'll shower with me?"

She bit her lip. "Maybe."

"I suddenly don't want to run. We can go straight to my house."

She squeezed his thigh. "No. I rely on my weekend runs to keep in shape so I can eat burgers."

"Your body is perfect just the way it is."

She laughed. "It's not, but I love that you said it."

Cade knew better than to argue with her. He focused on driving as Meg looked in the backseat. "Tyler will wonder why she's depressed tomorrow."

"Confetti plays with other dogs at school on Monday."

"Have you made friends with any of the owners?"

He smiled. "There's a woman who wants to have a dog park date."

"Are you going to?"

He laughed. "No, I told her I'm too busy, but my girlfriend could take him."

"Girlfriend?"

"I won't lie. I thought of you, but figured I'd make Leigh go."

"I volunteer. Am I your girlfriend?"

His belly flipped. "Do you want to be?"

"More than I've ever wanted. I've dated guys but none have been like you."

"Neurotic?"

She sighed. "No. Kind, fun, erotic."

He chuckled. "I'll do a U-turn."

"Stop!" She laughed. "See you make me laugh."

Cade had the urge to show her off before he joined Tyler's club. "As my girlfriend, would you like to meet my friends?"

She smirked. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. They'll love you." Cade froze at his own word, but hadn't she loved his compliment?

Thankfully, she didn't comment. They fell into small talk until he turned into the entrance to the park. The dogs sat up excited when the car stopped. As each grabbed their own leash, Cade frowned. "I've gotten used to her too. I know he must hate me, or will, but I like his dog."

"If he got over punishing me, he would like you."

Cade laughed. "You don't understand men. Are you ready?"

She nodded, and they started slow and increased to a comfortable pace. Cade couldn't imagine being friends with the lucky bastard who won Meg's heart. He and Tyler would have too much in common.

After a ten-mile run, Cade handed her a bottle of water. She nodded as he poured another bottle into a bowl he kept in his trunk. "I liked the paths."

He nodded. "I came here when I was afraid to be out in Boston. I was paranoid then I found out they were watching you."

Meg frowned. "I'm glad you feel comfortable running by the river."

He smiled. "Yeah, it's cooler in the summer."

She pushed on his damp shirt. "We might not have met."

Cade couldn't accept that fate wouldn't intervene. "The restaurant. Leigh would have wanted to thank you."

"Did you cancel plans with her today?"

He smiled. "She mentioned stopping by with a new dog toy and I told her to call first." Meg giggled. "She knows I don't go anywhere." The dogs finished drinking and he let them in the car and picked up the bowl.

"You go out to eat and to school with Confetti."

"I'm not a hermit, but I'm home a lot."

"It's nice. If I lived in a house like yours, I'd be happy at home with my dog."

Cade would be happy with her at his house, but he knew Tyler pressured her into moving in with him. Meg was feminine but strong because she didn't cave, at least not on moving. Cade felt like a caveman for wishing she had never gone to the other guy's bed. Lightening up his thoughts, he teased, "You don't have a dog, but I'll share Confetti."

She smiled. "I'll take him since I lost my girl."

He touched her knee as he drove towards Cambridge. "You have her today. Maybe he'll go away again."

Meg shrugged. "At least with Mick gone, he doesn't have anyone else to ask. I doubt he would trust his brother."

"The DA? Why?"

"Eli works too much."

"I'm not sure Leigh could leave her office to let Confetti out if she still worked there. I'm glad she left, but..."

"Not the reason. I get it. Eli could make a lot more money at a big firm."

"He'd work just as much if not more. Besides, he's a Hathorne, does he even need to work?"

Meg laughed. "You're the only one I know who doesn't need to work, but you do. I can see you at home changing diapers while your wife works."

Cade squirmed, any response would be awkward. He cleared his throat. "Renee doesn't work so Joe is safe."

Meg shook her head. "I don't know your friend, but you would like it. You would have one of those jogging strollers."

The picture was far too appealing. "A stroller and a dog?"

"You could handle it."

I might need you by my side. That was awkward territory. "I'm still getting used to having a dog."

They drove in silence as Cade let disappointment seep in. If she had a different background, she would have painted a pretty picture.

Confetti sat up as he drove into his neighborhood. The dog was smart. Both dogs pulled their leashes around the yard. Once they found the perfect spot. Cade led them inside.

Pushing his feelings away, he smiled and lifted his shirt over his head. When he dropped his shorts in the kitchen, he said, "Are you joining me?"

She giggled. "Can I have some privacy first?"

Cade nodded and put his sweaty clothes on the washer. When he went down the hall, he heard the water running. "I'm coming in."

He relieved himself before stepping behind the vinyl curtain. She had his shampoo in her hair. He reached up to wash it and pulled her in for a kiss. When they finally separated, he sighed. "I've been wanting to do that all morning."

"Me too." She rinsed her hair and picked up a bar of soap. With suds on her hand she reached down and touched him.

Cade closed his eyes as she stroked him up and down. With a shutter he came. "Woman, you are good at that." So much better than his solo shower experiences.

Before they were dry, she was flat on her back with Cade moving inside her, when she cried his name he exploded. As they snuggled together neither in a hurry to dress, he tried not to think about Monday. It seemed silly, but he would miss her.

"I'll wait and run after work on Tuesday."

She smiled and kissed him. "And Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday?"

He chuckled. "You read my mind."

As his mouth explored hers, Confetti sighed. Cade reminded himself to enjoy the contentment. His dog was lucky because he didn't know what was coming.

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