Page 66 of Spurred On

Chapter Twelve

“I think we’re ready,” Cade said as he stood back and studied the party room, festooned as it was with engagement decorations. “What do you think?”

“Looks good,” Cody said. He hardly cared. His mind was utterly distracted. Sidney was coming. He’d see her soon. He wasn’t sure if he should be excited or scared to death. He intended to cut her from the herd and speak to her again, hopefully something credible and persuasive . . . but when he practiced his speech, it was usually mostly just nonsense.

The bottom line was that he didn’t like his life without her. He didn’t much like himself without her either. He planned on offering her a plea for another chance.

He hoped she would be open to it.

“You’re doing it again,” Cade said.

“Doing what?”

“That gloomy thing with your face.”

“I don’t do a gloomy thing with my face.”

“You kind of do. Are you going to be okay?”

“I kind of have to be. It’s my job.”

“Listen, Claire, Lisa, and I can handle the party if you want to leave.”

Leave?Panic trilled through him. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Okay. Just thought I’d make the offer.”

“Thanks. But I’m a grown-up. I can handle it.”

“I know.”

They stood there for a moment, staring at the room in silence. Lisa emerged from the butler’s pantry to place another centerpiece on the serving table, and Cade sighed at the sight of her.

All of a sudden, a maelstrom of envy whipped through Cody. He’d been thrilled when Lisa and Cade found each other, that they’d been able to overcome their issues—not the least of which was the fact that Cody had dated Lisa in high school. Of all the girls he’d dated, she was the one he regretted the most. Well, except for Tibby. He hadn’t realized Cade was in love with Lisa. Hadn’t realized until years later that he was the reason his brother had up and left for the military. Cade hadn’t been able to stand watching Cody and Lisa together. It was a shame, because if he’d known, he would never have asked her out.

Thank God they’d worked it out. They’d found each other again. They were so happy together.

Cody had never felt anything but joy for his brother . . . but at the moment it tasted bitter.

Because he wanted that too. Someone to hold at night. Someone to be loyal to. Someone who was loyal back. Someone who knew him and accepted him, warts and all. Someone who would be there for him until he drew his last breath.

He wanted a forever thing.

Worse, he wanted it with Sidney.

When he looked at any other woman, every other woman, he felt nothing. Nothing.

It had become clear to him that there was no reason to date anyone else, and he certainly had no inclination to. Beyond that. Other women might as well have been statues, that was how much they moved him. His every thought, hope, and dream revolved around her.

Which was probably why he asked, apropos of nothing, “How did you know you loved Lisa?”

Cade glanced at him, his eyes hooded. “How did I know?”

Cody stubbed his toe into the hardwood. It didn’t budge. “Yeah.”

“I always loved her.”

“Even when I was dating her?”