TOWARD THE DISTANCE Chapter 3

Cade was out of the car instantly, his hand on her back, his voice tight with worry.

"Elena — what's wrong? What happened?"

She couldn't answer. She was shaking, dry-heaving, her whole body rebelling against something her mind had already accepted.

She didn't understand. How could Cade — the man who had made her a ring with his own hands, who had loved her from the time they were teenagers — how could he do this? Didn't he think she might find out? Or did he genuinely believe he could keep it hidden forever?

The night air cleared her head, slowly.

"Are you okay?" Cade asked again, hovering. "Do you want me to take you to the hospital? I'll go right now —"

"No. I think I just ate something bad at dinner."

"Then come to my office tomorrow. We can eat lunch together."

Elena almost laughed.

Come watch you and Lily tear each other apart on your rooftop?

But then something reckless sparked inside her. A last, sharp impulse.

"Sure," she said. "I'll come with you tomorrow morning. I'll stay in your office all day while you work. We'll eat lunch together. And tonight we go home together."

Cade blinked. He hadn't expected her to say yes. "I mean — I'd love that, but I've been really slammed at work lately. I might not be able to —"

"You do your thing. I'll just wait for you in your office."

He hesitated. Then: "…Okay. If that's what you want."

Back at the house, Cade volunteered to run her bath. He disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door — which was unusual. He never closed that door.

Elena waited until she heard the water running, then quietly slipped downstairs and out to the car.

The engine hummed to life. The screen lit up again, synced to his phone. New messages, sent just minutes ago.

Cade: Plans changed. We can't do the office tomorrow.

Little Greedy Cat Jing: Oh. That's disappointing.

Cade: Don't be sad. I'll take you to the rooftop instead. More exciting.

Little Greedy Cat Jing: Hehehe. You're the best.

Elena turned off the screen and went back inside.

Cade was waiting at the bedroom door with a gentle smile. "Bath's ready. Go soak for a while."

"I don't feel like it. I'm going to sleep."

"Okay. Get some rest." He kissed her forehead, light and tender. "Oh — that gift you left on the table. Can I open it now?"

"Open it in one week."

"Why wait? I want to see what you got me right now."

Elena hesitated. The words pressed against the inside of her teeth.

Because in one week, I won't be here anymore.

"Because," she said instead, "it won't mean anything until then."

Cade smiled and pressed his lips to her forehead again. "Okay. I trust you."