Chapter Fourteen
Serena
I still can’t completely wrap my head around everything that happened today. I try to get some work done in my office, but Cade’s scent lingers. It’s woodsy and manly with this hint of something not overly sweet or fruity. It’s just right, and I find myself gravitating to the chair he sat in earlier where the smell seems to hang in the air a little more than anywhere else.
Since I can’t seem to focus, I pack my stuff and head across town for Ashley’s studio.
When I first met Cade, Ashley was just floating in the breeze. I’m so proud of everything she’s done since then. She is still the free-spirited Jacobs sister, but she now owns an art gallery and is in the midst of preparing for an upcoming show. I know I’ll find her there, and I need to tell her what happened.
I park around back of the gallery and let myself in the back door of the building where Ashley’s studio space is. I hear the new age music she likes to listen to when she’s painting and follow the sounds, pausing in the doorway to watch her work. I am always fascinated watching my sister paint, although I don’t often understand the abstract works.
I must make some sort of noise because Ashley pauses and straightens, turning and seeing me.
“Serena, what are you doing here?” I smile at the paint streaks across her cheek and in her hair.
“Weird day; I needed someone to talk about it with.”
“Can you talk while I paint?” she asks.
“Of course, but I think you might want to take a break to hear this.”
“That good, huh? Color me intrigued.”
She sets her brush down and I continue. “Cade showed up during my Physics at the Movies class today.”
“Wait, what?” Her attention is now fully mine. “Cade? Cade Thomas?”
“The one and the same.”
“Holy shit, Serena. This needs more than a break; we need cocktails, or at the very least wine. Let me clean up and we can go somewhere.”
I help her clean up and put away her supplies, and ten minutes later we are seated at a quiet wine bar just down the block from her studio. After our glasses are filled and we are alone, she prompts me to tell my story.
“Ok, so Cade just randomly shows up at USC today and pops into your lecture of all places?” she asks.
“As crazy as that sounds, yes. Although, I don’t think it wasn’t totally random. He saw my interview last week, the one I did about physics and Santa Claus?”
“Oh yeah, that was cute. So, he saw it and had to come find you?”
I shrug. “I guess? I don’t know. He showed up near the start of class and hung around. I snuck out while the kids bombarded him for autographs after.”
“You left him to fend for himself with the co-eds? That’s cold, Serena.”
“Come on, Ash. He’s kind of a playboy,” I insist.
“He’s been off and on with the same woman for years,” she comes to his defense.
“And when they’re off, he’s out with a bevy of models. I am not the model type. I have curves and dark hair, and I wear glasses, for Pete’s sake! What could Cade Thomas possibly want with me?”
“Well, for starters, you’re gorgeous. Secondly, you’re super smart. You’re kind, you’re a great mom, you’re funny... What wouldn’t he want with you?”
“He asked me out. He found his way to my office somehow, and we talked for a little while. He asked me to dinner.”
“What did you say?” she leans in.
“I told him no.”
“Why would you do that?! Are you nuts? He’s a total hottie and gave you the best orgasm of your life. Why would you turn down the chance for another one of those?”
“I told him I couldn’t go out tonight, but he could take me to dinner tomorrow,” I finally offer with a grin.
“Yes, Serena. Get some!”
I shush her. “Can you please keep your voice down? I’d like to keep my business private if we could. Besides, I only said yes to get him out of my office.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean he’s been off and on with the same woman for what? Five years? And, he’s likely got a bedpost full of notches, myself included.”
“You don’t know that he’s slept with all the women he’s been photographed with.”
“You’re right; there could be others that never graced the pages of US Weekly.”
“Why not give him a chance, Serena? He sought you out, that means something, right?”
“Maybe,” I concede.
“What’s the big deal? He’s a good-looking guy; let him wine and dine you. Carpe diem!”
“I’m a mom now, Ashley. I can’t just do whatever I feel like. I have to think about Alan.”
Ashley frowns. “I know you’re the serious one, but you’re being way more serious than normal. What gives, Serena? What’s the real issue?”
I sigh. I haven’t even admitted the truth to myself, so how can I admit it to my sister? “This isn’t like the last time, Ash. This isn’t you making me go out on a blind date. I’m responsible for another human being. I have to make the right choices not just for me, but for Alan, too.”
“That’s not it, though. There’s more. He’s Alan’s dad. Doesn’t that earn him a chance?”
“He doesn’t know that.”
“You didn't tell him?” she scoffs.
“Why would I tell him? He just showed up. That’s not something you just spring on someone after you haven’t told him for three years.”
“I just don’t understand why you’re not more excited. He’s handsome and rich. He can take care of you and Alan.”
“We don’t need someone to take care of us; we’re doing fine on our own.”
“Is that what this is about? You don’t want him to know because you think he’ll try to take him or something?”
“I don’t think Cade would ever do something like that.”
“Tell me then. Tell me what’s going on in your head. Help me understand because right now I think you’re certifiably insane for not wanting to go out with that man.”
“That's just it. I do want to go out with him, I just don’t want to admit it.”
“Why not?”
“Because I like him far more than I should. We had one date over three years ago. But it felt like so much more.”
“Is that why you ran off in the middle of the night?”
“Yeah, maybe. I was scared.”
“Well, I think you should find out now. He could be good for you, everything you’ve ever looked for. He could be good for that adorable nephew of mine. He is half his after all.”
“It pains me greatly to say this, but I know you’re right.”
“I’m always right. My only word of warning is to keep a low profile. He’s a paparazzi magnet, and if you don’t keep a low profile, they’ll find you and be all over you.”
“There’s still one other thing,” I admit.
“What’s that?”
“What if I tell him about Alan, and he’s furious? That scares me more than anything.”
Ashley reaches her hand over and squeezes mine. “He does deserve to know. And if he’s angry, would you blame him?”
“No,” I say. “He’d have every right to be.”
“Well, have dinner with him. Feel the situation out, and go with your instincts. That’s all you can do,” she assures me.
We finish our drinks, and Ashley tells me more about her upcoming show and the painting I interrupted her working on earlier. Before long, I leave to pick Alan up from my parents and head home. I have dinner with my son and then it is bath time for him. We play with cars in the floor of his bedroom for an hour and then settle into his bed where I read to him until he falls asleep. I kiss his forehead and tiptoe from the room, leaving the door cracked open as I retreat to my bedroom.
I am sitting on my bed, staring at my phone, teetering with the idea of canceling my date with Cade, when it chimes with an incoming text message.
Dinner tomorrow at 7? I can pick you up.
I’m not ready for him to know where I live, so I reply with, Send me the address and I’ll meet you there.
You promise you won’t stand me up? he asks.
I promise. I’ll see you tomorrow night, Cade.
I can hardly wait. Goodnight, Serena.