When Meg asked to talk to Tyler, she hoped he would have changed. As he warned her about Cade, she stopped him. "You don't know him. He's a good man. I'm happy you have Brianne. What happened to Ariella?"

"She wasn't you."

"Tyler, I'm sorry. It didn't work out for you and her. I missed you. I miss Blue too."

"She's my dog."

"I know, but I still care about her and you."

"I'll let you know if I go away again. Right now, I need to find my date."

Meg didn't know why she thought this time would have been different. Tyler's actions would have driven her to Cade, if she hadn't already chosen him. Cade had filled the best friend void left by Tyler. As her boyfriend, he met all her needs. Clinging to Cade on the dance floor, she promised she wouldn't hurt him. Her feelings for him were too deep to walk away. She would leave a piece of herself behind — her heart.

Before they left, they stopped to see her mother. Shannon smiled, "You are a handsome couple. Come for brunch in the morning."

Once in her father's car, she sighed. "What did you think?"

"How often do you go to things like that?"

She shrugged. "Maybe six a year."

Cade looked at her as he loosened his tie. "Your gown is worth it."

She laughed and put her lips on his. It was their first kiss of the evening. She tried to convey what she felt in her heart for him, but the lust bubbled up and took control.

He groaned. "I have to walk the dog before I take your dress off."

She hid her frown as she remembered countless times when she waited for Tyler to take Blue out before they relaxed with a drink and talked about their evening. It was the many times before she focused on, before she hoped Tyler would be gone forever and blue stopped sleeping between them.

Because of the brunch invitation, they woke early to run. Gradually, she had left running outfits and other clothing at Cade's. It wasn't the same at Tyler's. The big difference was she never wanted to move into Ty's apartment, but Cade's house already felt like home. When they cooked together in the kitchen, she had a sense that she was where she belonged.

As they returned to his house following their run, Cade asked what he should wear. She smiled. "Can I pick something out?" He nodded and sighed with relief.

His closet wasn't overstuffed. She chose a pair of dress pants and a sweater. When she heard the shower her pelvic muscles flexed. Maybe if they were quick, they wouldn't be late.

When they arrived at her house, the memory of their shower left Meg with a hum deep within. She slipped upstairs to hang her gown in her closet and change into a dress.

Cade smiled at her. "I liked glamorous Meg, but this Meg is my favorite."

Shannon smiled. "Shall we pop a bottle of Cristal?"

Meg cocked her head at her mother. "Why did you exceed expectations last night?"

"No, but you did, darling."

"What? How?"

"The two of you. All my friends wanted to know about your new boyfriend. The consensus was you did well for yourself after Tyler chose the skinny girl over you."

"Mom! That's not what happened."

"Blame Tyler for getting involved with her so quickly."

Meg sighed. She wanted to defend her friend. He might have excluded her from his life, but she wasn't innocent. She had hurt him. Cade squeezed her hand as if he could read her mind.

Brian handed them each a glass and Shannon lifted hers. "To Meg and Cade. May you have a wonderful future together and beautiful children."

"Mom!" She stopped from saying they hadn't discussed children, but they had.

"Darling, you're almost thirty-one."

"Not really."

"You need to think ahead. I was lucky to reserve the Copley for June. If I cancel, you'll be thirty-three before you can reserve it again."

"But we aren't. I don't even know if Cade wants to marry me." She turned to Cade who shifted uncomfortably. She mumbled. "Don't leave me because of her."

He squeezed her hand. "I won't. I can't get married there." He cleared his throat. "I don't suppose we could consider something small."

Meg felt tears in her eyes. "Do you really want to marry me?"

Cade looked from her parents to her. "Can we talk?"

She felt like déjà vu as she brought him to her room. He looked around, but she didn't care what he thought. "I was hoping you would ask me to move in, but didn't expect you to want to marry me."

He smirked. "You can move in today. I miss you when you sleep here."

"I'm sorry my mother jumps ten steps ahead."

"Shhh. Not ten steps. Meg, I love you."

A tear dripped down her cheek. "You do?"

"Yes, I know I'm flawed and you deserve to be with someone you love, but I want to marry you. Although I'm not proposing yet."

"You do?" He nodded. "I love you too." As similar as the scene from her past was, it was vastly different.

"What do we tell your mother?"

Meg sighed. "Let me handle her." She kissed him on the lips and smiled. "I love you. I've never been in love before."

Cade laughed. "Me either."

He took her hand as they descended the stairs. Her parents looked up when they returned. "I didn't mean to push you."

"Mom, we love each other, but we're not ready. I'm going to move in with Cade."

She watched as her mother opened her mouth and closed it. Meg could easily remind Shannon she had agreed to let her move in with Tyler. Cade was worthier because she loved him.

"If it moves you closer to marriage. Cade, do you want children?"

He nodded. "Two sounds nice. I'm close with my sister."

The image of blue-eyed children playing in Cade's tiny backyard made her smile. Maybe he would want to raise their children in the suburbs like he grew up.

"What about your parents? We should meet them."

"Shannon, I've met Cade's father." Meg pleaded with her father.

"But..."

Cade frowned. "My parents are divorced and, um, I don't see my mother."

"But why?"

Brian answered, "It's complicated."

"Maybe my father will come, but he hasn't returned to the east coast in years."

"I don't understand. It's your wedding."

"Mom, we aren't engaged. There is no wedding!" Meg wanted to stamp her foot, but was much too old.

Her father stepped forward. "Let's eat. I'm hungry. Did you run this morning?"

"We did a six-mile loop plus the jog from my house and back."

"It's not far. You're close to the river."

Meg smiled. Her father carried on conversations with the person in line with him. Even though he grew up wealthy, he understood people.

Cade nodded. "It was part of the reason I put an offer in right away. I like it better than my condo by the harbor. Plus, now I have my dog."

"You have a dog too?"

Meg rolled her eyes at her mother. "I told you. Confetti is a rescue."

"I hope he's good with children."

Cade chuckled. "He's gentle, protective and well trained."

Meg hoped Confetti stopped barking at every noise, or a baby would never sleep. She suspected he picked up on Cade's nervous energy.

"How's your sister's new practice?"

"It's going well. I think she's happier not killing herself to make partner."

"I left the firm years ago for the same reason. Also, I was tired of defending criminals."

Meg laughed. "He and Eli are alike."

"Unless he prosecutes innocent people." Cade frowned.

"The legal system isn't perfect, but Eli strives to do the right thing."

Shannon placed a hot quiche on the table. "Cade's sister can be a bride's maid."

"Mom," she said through gritted teeth. "We aren't engaged."

"But we can't lose the..."

Meg stood. "Mom, can we talk in private?"

"Margaret. That's rude."

"It's just family and..." You're the rude one.

Her mother followed her into the living room. "What's so important?"

"Please cancel the hotel. Make some bride's year. If we marry, something we never discussed before you brought it up, we will have a small, unpublicized wedding. Cade is a private person and I love him enough to respect that part of him."

"You are my only child, my daughter, and I've been dreaming about your wedding since you were old enough to walk."

"Unfortunately, it's about my dream not yours."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Meg hugged her. "Let's eat before I pack up."

As Meg walked back to the kitchen, she knew Cade was her dream. His eyes followed her, and she nodded. Everything's okay.

Meg put clothes in luggage as Cade watched. "Closet space wasn't on my list when I bought the house."

Meg frowned. "Are there closets in other bedrooms? I can make it work." Her closet was still full. "I'll leave some here."

"Your father said something interesting."

She chuckled. "He usually does."

"I can legally change my name as part of a marriage license."

"You want to change your last name?"

"No, my first name. I can drop Daniel and become just Caden or Cade Maloney."

"I remember when Eli called you Daniel."

"It was in the case file."

"But Cade is the creative genius who built the game company."

He chuckled. "My head is swelling."

She laughed. "Which one?"

"Both." He pulled her into him. "Meg, I love you. Let's fool around."

Her heart soared as she slapped his butt. "Not here. Take me home."

A/N Cade fears his reputation as Daniel Maloney will ruin everything. That is what Tyler knows about. I know you all hate on him, but what if your best friend (past or present) was going with a guy tied to a crime and the mob (or whatever Pacheco is)? Tyler is hurt and stubborn and acting like a man, but it's strange how Cade gives him more grace than most of you.

Thanks for voting or not ⭐️