After another magical day with Cade, returning Blue to Tyler hadn't burst her bubble. Ariella was not there or hiding. Meg had doused the dog in her own scent. If she was really spiteful, she would have used Cade's masculine scent. Tyler didn't ask how she got to his place and she didn't volunteer. She didn't beg for forgiveness either. Tyler needed to decide he was ready and having Cade in her life was bound to ruin any chance of that ever happening.

"Anytime you need a dog sitter, call me." She hugged Blue and buried her face in her fur. When she walked out she wiped away tears.

As she slipped into Cade's car, he frowned. "You okay?"

"Yup. I miss her." He squeezed her hand, but didn't offer empty words. "Poor Confetti." They left him at home, Meg didn't want to think about the poor dog when Cade returned alone.

Monday dragged out and Tuesday felt twice as long. She brought her running clothes to her office and changed before Cade picked her up. She wanted to tell him he didn't have to, but it was obvious they both missed each other.

Their routine was set. They ran, then showered which led to the bed before sharing a meal. On Thursday night, Cade held her close. "Will you think about a sleepover?"

"I haven't seen my parents all week."

It didn't surprise her they were sitting up on Friday night when Cade dropped her off.

"Where have you been? With Tyler?" Shannon looked hopeful.

She shook her head. "With a new friend?"

Brian asked, "Anyone we know?"

Meg bit her lip. "You know of him."

"Him? Does he come from a good family?" Shannon had specific criteria.

Her eyes implored her father to help. "Who is he?"

"Caden."

Brian nodded. He didn't appear surprised. Had Eli mentioned her running buddy? "I knew his father, Dan, years ago."

"You did?" Meg's eyes opened wide.

"We worked at the same firm."

"He's a lawyer?"

Brian shook his head. "He worked in accounting. I liked him. He gave me advice from time to time."

Meg choked. "Advice?"

"His daughter is older than you. Parenting advice."

Meg shook her head. "I can't believe it."

"Who is this man?"

Brian cut in. "He's successful. A self-made man."

"What does he do?"

Meg smiled. "He created a business and sold it for a king's ransom."

"What kind of business? That techno stuff?"

Meg laughed. "No, CEJ Games. He was the game designer."

"Video games?"

"No. The games I play with my friends."

"I prefer bridge. If you are going to be seen around town with this man, I need to meet him. I'll organize a dinner."

"Mom, please don't."

"I have to meet him."

Brian saved Meg. "He can come have a drink with us this weekend. I'd like to meet him again."

Again! She gulped. As soon as her mother walked away, she looked at her father. "I thought you were watching Cade for another reason."

"No. After I learned about the divorce and her marriage, I wanted to watch out for Dan's kids. I didn't know how to help him, but trusted Eli. It surprised me to find out my daughter held the key."

"Wow! Dad, will mom like him if I bring him home?"

"Not if, but if he's like his father."

"What if the press connects you to Pacheco's stepson?"

He frowned. "If you're serious about the boy, we'll get out ahead of it, with you attending an event together."

Meg frowned. "He doesn't like crowds. The ordeal changed him."

"We'll figure something out. When will you see him again?"

"Tomorrow morning. He's picking me up before our run."

"You met as children."

"No!"

He nodded. "The firm had a family Christmas party. I remember holding you. When I stopped to talk to Dan, I put you down next to his two kids. I forget what happened, but I think he pulled on your dress. You had a lot of frills."

"I always had frills. You're telling me Cade touched my dress."

"You weren't two yet. He wasn't much older."

"He was probably three. What happened?"

"His sister made him cry."

She covered her face. "Oh no! I can't wait to tell him."

Once in her room, she called. He answered with a chuckle. "Do you miss me already?"

"Did your father work at Martin, Walsh, and Blum?"

"How do you know that?"

She hugged her pillow. "My father worked there, before he went over to the other side."

Cade chuckled. "The other side?"

"Prosecution. Politics."

"My father wasn't a lawyer."

"I know, but my father knew your father."

"Really? He told you?"

Meg smiled at the vision. "We met. You touched my dress."

"I what?" His voice sounded like a pubescent boy.

She giggled. "At a Christmas party, I was one, and you touched my frilly dress. He said Leigh made you cry."

"She probably told me not to. So you're saying we met before?"

She laughed. "Too bad we don't remember."

"How does your father remember?"

"He said he liked your father. Cade, when I told him about being your alibi, he didn't question your innocence. He knew about you and Leigh."

"Yeah, because of the bastard."

"Yes, but no, because of your father. I have more questions for him, but he wanted to help you and then I came clean."

"That's crazy, but he doesn't want me messing up his political position."

"He didn't say that." She stopped from repeating his suggestion. "You expected my parents to drive a wedge between us, but my father didn't say I couldn't see you. I wouldn't listen to him if he did."

"This is crazy and confusing."

"I know. I agree. So tomorrow, where do you want to run."

"On my bed. It's supposed to be rainy all day."

She giggled, but jumped at a knock on her door. She thought of Cade and his fear. "I have to go. I'll let you know when I wake up."

She went to her door. Her mother stood on the other side. "Please invite this young man over tomorrow."

She nodded. "Fine, but afterward I am going to his house just like I did with Tyler."

"Why couldn't you stay with Tyler?"

She sighed. "I had already met Cade. Although I tried, Ty couldn't compare."

"What's so special about Cade?"

"He's kind and sensitive. We run together and he has a dog." She couldn't hide her smile. His eyes are beautiful and he's amazing in bed. "He's my friend."

"Your father likes him."

"Please give him a chance. He's not your dear friend, Chickie's son, but I care about him."

"That's why I want to meet him."

"I'll invite him, but remember I'm staying at his house."

"In my day..."

"Your day was decades past the sexual revolution. Don't pretend it was any different."

"But respectable women don't give it away."

"There is no it. You put too much pressure on sex. It's no fun that way." Meg rolled her eyes as Tyler came to mind.

"Does he know you were engaged to Tyler?"

"Believe me. Cade knows the entire story."

"Fine, I can see your mind is set. Where is his house?"

"In Cambridge."

Shannon relaxed. There were neighborhoods that were not suited for her daughter. Meg understood safety, but Cade's neighborhood was safe. Unfortunately, Cade thought bad guys hid in the bushes.

With the cold autumn rain coming down, Meg ran to Cade's car. Confetti greeted her with a sigh from the backseat. She pouted. "I miss her too."

Cade laughed. "He's fine until he sees you."

"Poor thing." She kissed the dog and turned back and hit his head.

"Hey! Do I get one too."

She laughed. "At your house." Then she put her hand on his thigh.

Curled up together on the sofa with Confetti snoring next to them, Meg ran her hand down Cade's soft beard. "I forgot your face."

He smiled. "I spent hours remembering your face. I drew you. More than once."

"You did? Can I see?"

He laughed. "Maybe. I have to find it."

His blue gems sparkled like a diamond caught in the light. Meg smiled at his lie. "Did you talk to your father?"

Cade shook his head. "He was out, but I don't want to think about him right now." He leaned over and kissed her slowly.

She waited until they had kissed thoroughly before she sucked on her top lip.

"What's wrong?"

She denied it, but needed to rip the bandaid off. "Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

His face drooped. "The bad. I guess."

Meg propped her arm against his chest so she could look him in the eye. "Are you sure?"

He kissed the tip of her nose. "You know I have anxiety."

She frowned. "It might get worse this evening. My mother wants us to come over for a drink."

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "A drink."

"My father likes you, because of your father."

"Is that the good news?"

She smiled. "No, I told her I'm coming back here with you to spend the night."

"You what?" His face looked like he was just told someone stole all his money. "Now when I meet her, she'll know I've touched her daughter."

Meg laughed uncontrollably and wiped her eyes. "She's not stupid. When I slept over Tyler's for years, she didn't think we were just friends." Meg laughed. "Although we were for years."

"She'll hate me."

"No, my father will set the tone. Smile. You'll have me in your bed all night. If you have a bad dream, I'll hold you."

He smiled before frowning. "If there's a fucking knock on the..."

Meg put her lips on his in a searing kiss. When she pulled back, she said, "Stop! It won't happen. The past is the past. Look to the future."

"A future of meeting your parents. Are we serious enough for that?"

Meg frowned. "You said we're dating. If you're not, tell me, because I met your sister and you asked me to meet your friends."

"You're right. I did. I don't know if things are too fast or too slow."

She shrugged. "Maybe we are just right. We didn't have three dates before sex, but we ran together and talked before we got together again. We can take things as fast or slow as you like, but not accepting my mother's invitation won't win you any points."

He sighed. "You know I'm just an artist." Meg laughed and was ready to point out how successful he was, but his phone vibrated. He looked at it. "My father."

Thanks for voting ⭐️