My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes.
“You took care of him because you cared about him. You’re an intelligent, brave, hardworking gir—erm, woman.” He blew out a soft laugh. “That’s hard for me to square some days. I still see my little girl.”
I gave him a small smile.
“A Z4 doesn’t make you shallow. If Caden can’t see that, you’re better off without him.”
I knew he was right, but it didn’t make it any easier to hear.
“She’s yours, Natasha.” He dropped the key into my palm. “You have done nothing but bust your tail in work and school. You earned it.”
I closed my fist around the key. “Thanks, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome, Natasha.” We shared a smile, then his faded and he said, “If you’ll excuse me, I have a conference call. Have a good day.”
And that was it.
My father shut the door to his office and I stood in the kitchen, my Z4’s key resting my palm. He was right. If Cade didn’t know me after the time we’d spent together, then I was better off without him.
Outside, I put the top down on my reclaimed ride and slid my sunglasses onto my nose. I had a test today. I planned on arriving in style.
“You seem…you seem okay.” Rena said after she’d given me a thorough once-over. I’d survived the test today and drove straight to Oak & Sage. Well, after determining it was Cade’s day off. I didn’t want to see him but felt as if I owed Rena the truth.
I’d admitted everything and she’d lived up to her role of bartender–slash–mother hen, both feeding me alcohol and tucking me protectively under her wing. As the last hour progressed, she’d apparently decided it was time for me to leave the nest.
“I say shake it off.”
“Shake it off?”
“Yes.”
“Your advice about my recent breakup is the title of a Taylor Swift song?”
“You love Taylor Swift.”
“That’s true.” I gave her a weak smile. Rena got me. Everyone needed someone who got them. It was my fault for wishing one of those someones was Cade. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Would you like me to have Devlin kick Cade’s ass after work tonight, or would tomorrow morning work better?”
I pretended to consider. “Does the offer expire? I’d like to cash it in when he’s least expecting it.”
“I like the way you think.” Rena refilled my empty wineglass and stashed the bottle in the refrigeration unit. It was dead in here tonight. We had the bar to ourselves. She leaned on the bar and put her hand on my arm. “He hurt you.”
“He did.” I felt like my heart had been scooped from my chest. Worse than when I found out Tony had cheated on me, and that was saying something.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m shaking it off.”
She didn’t laugh. “No, it’s not okay. I’m trying to make you feel better when what you need to feel is hurt. I’ve been there. I was so devastated, I couldn’t see straight.”
I snapped my attention to Devlin, who had approached in time to overhear her consoling me. Rena followed my gaze over her shoulder, where her boyfriend regarded her with a mix of regret and admiration.
“Hey.” His eyes cut to me, then back to her. “Have your drawer? I’m shutting down early.”
“Sure.” Rena retrieved the bar’s cash drawer for him. He leaned over the bar, lips pursed for a kiss. A kiss she gave him. A kiss that lasted…a while.
“I love you,” he said when their prolonged smooch had ended.
“I love you too.” She beamed.
I sipped my wine, wondering if I should excuse myself. But Devlin turned to me next, the cash drawer in one hand as he propped his elbow on the bar top. “What happened?”
“The inevitable?” I sort of joked. Cade and I didn’t make sense. I’d fallen for him and he’d been as immune to me as if he’d been vaccinated.
“What if I talk some sense into him? Tell him he’s being a chickenshit.” Devlin smirked and I couldn’t help smiling. That’s what I’d told Devlin when I talked sense into him about Rena.
“Even though you do owe me,” I said, noting the adorable look of chagrin on Devlin’s face, “somehow I don’t think Cade would be inspired to come for me.”
“Don’t underestimate the hold you have on him, Tasha. He’s come a long way since you.”
“He was pretty clear the last time we spoke.” I fingered the stem of my wineglass. “He said lots of not-nice things when I suggested he go back to college.”
Devlin sucked air through his teeth. I jerked my head up and found him shaking his head. “Let me start with this—he shouldn’t have disrespected you. For that there’s no excuse.”
“You’ve taught him well.” I slid a glance to Rena, who nodded smugly.
He spared her a wry smile before continuing. “But. College is a touchy subject for him. He’s not being obstinate. He legitimately doesn’t want to pursue law. Whether he can talk or not.”
“But he’s come so far,” I defended. “He was devastated the day he saw his old friends moving into the building he’d found. They had plans to start their own firm.”
“He’s not the same Cade who followed his high school girlfriend to college,” Devlin said. “He’s changed. Makes sense that what he wants out of life changed too, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, but…” I shook my head, not understanding. “Why wouldn’t he want the best life he could possibly have?”
“Shouldn’t he be the one who decides what his best life looks like?” Devlin’s dark eyebrows leapt to his forehead. It dawned on me with a dart of regret that I wasn’t behaving much better than Cade’s ex-girlfriend.
I replayed the argument with him in my head. Every ugly part of it. A lump formed in my throat. I cupped my hand over my mouth and uttered a watery, “Oh God.”
“What is it, honey?” Rena reached for my hand, concern etched into her face. “What’s wrong?”
“I—” I paused to hiccup as a tear escaped and rolled down my cheek. “I told him lawyers make great money.” I shook my head, at a loss. “I’m the money-hungry rich girl he accused me of being.”
I wasn’t looking for sympathy, but it’s what came flying at me. Rena adamantly argued that I was far from money hungry, her voice ratcheting up an octave. When she started in about Cade not knowing a good woman if she slapped him in the face, a sob wrenched from my throat.
“I did that too. He was being so cruel, and he was wrong. I don’t just want his body.” I sought Devlin with my eyes, and the pity in his gutted me. “I don’t care if he’s a mechanic. I just didn’t want him to give up on himself.”
“Sometimes we give up things because they’re no longer good for us.” There was wisdom in Devlin’s words. He’d once worked for the mob, after all. He’d given that up, and for good reason. He’d done it because he wanted a future with Rena.