Free Grayslake: More than Mated: A Bite of Love (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Ally Summers Page A

that ran along the edge of the property from up here. It also had a private bath.
    But I had forgotten to grab the suitcase when I moved all my clothes. It was still in the lower level room. I rushed in the room and opened the cedar closet, stopping suddenly when I spotted the silver earrings next to the bed.
    Cadence had left the pair there. I hadn’t touched them since she had spent the night in my bed.
    I pulled out my phone and scrolled for the number to Achording to Cadence . I was suddenly hungry for a going away dinner.
     

16
    Cadence
     
    Sundays were my days off. I sat on the couch watching another episode on how to turn a dresser into a half-bath vanity sink. I took notes in my journal. One day I’d have a huge house and I’d devote my extra time to remodeling it.
    I wondered how far Case had come with his place. It wasn’t my fault was it that I could picture all the ways to fix it up? He had two extra bedrooms and a sitting room I hadn’t even seen. There was a small staircase that led to an upstairs I was dying to get my eyes on.
    I scolded myself for even thinking about it. Another week had crept by and not a word from the broody jag. He had forgotten about me. Totally.
    I turned off the TV and padded off to the shower. I had worn my pajamas way past lunch.
    I took my time, shaving my legs, and using this new boutique shampoo I ordered online. It smelled heavenly. I lathered my long hair and rinsed it before doing the same routine with the equally expensive conditioner. This stuff cost a fortune, but it guaranteed to make my hair glossy and thick. I needed some luxury in my life.
    Even if things with Case were over, I knew he had opened a sliver of doubt in my mind. I’d like to think it was a sliver of dreams. But it had kept me up more than one night. Was I going to be content in Grayslake? Was this the life I truly wanted?
    I rinsed the conditioner out and turned off the shower. I wrapped a towel around my body and dressed. I slipped into a pair of jeans and a tank top. Sundays were my junking days. I liked to browse the antique markets outside of Grayslake and see what I could find. I’d come home with treasures. My arms loaded with blue mason jars, porcelain drawer pulls, milk glass serving pieces, and whatever frame I thought I could turn into something extraordinary.
    I walked to the side of my bed, unplugged my phone, and looked at the screen. I had a missed call. Holy shit.
    I covered my mouth. It was Case.
     
    ***
     
    I stared at the number. Underneath was the voicemail symbol. I pressed the button and held the phone to my ear and listened.
    “Cadence, it’s Case. Call me.”
    I blinked.
    My fingers trembled as I hit redial. I knew I wanted this to be more than a question about a recipe. Or a friend who needed a recommendation for lawn care. I didn’t want him to call because he had a bear clan question, or couldn’t find his way to Miller Grocery. I held my breath. I wanted him to call for every other reason in the world.
    “Hey,” he answered, his voice smooth and steady.
    I almost melted on the spot.
    “Hi.”
    “I have a question for you, darlin’.”
    My chest was tight. I had to fight to make myself breathe.
    “Sure. What is it?” I tried to sound light and happy, as if for the past month I had thought of things other than him.
    “Would you like to have dinner with me?”
    “Wh-what?”
    “Dinner. You and me? My place. Let’s say seven.”
    “Sundays are my day off,” I wanted to explain that I wasn’t going to cook for him. He had to know that. A month after our last meal together and I couldn’t take myself back there like that. It had to be different.
    “Perfect. Then you’re free. I’ll have dinner ready.”
    “You will?” I was stunned.
    “I will. See you at seven, gorgeous.”
    He was gone before I could ask what was going on. I sat on the edge of my bed. I think Case Maddox just asked me on a date.
     

17
    Case
     
    There was a first time for everything.