Our Secret To Keep.

Chapter Thirty-Seven - I Don't Know How This Is Going To Go.

Kade

It has been a difficult day, but I am keeping my promise. I am giving Blythe the time and not pushing, but I am still worried that when she is ready to talk, she won't have changed her mind. She will still want to stop seeing me. I sigh and lean back in my office chair. Blythe is working in her office, and I have stopped myself multiple times from going to join her. Sighing, I run my fingers through my hair. A knock on my office door focuses my attention. I hope it will be Blythe, but when I glance up, I see it isn't her. It is Jason, Blythe's father.

I motion for him to come in. He does and comes over, sitting across from me. He seems stressed.

"Hello, sir, what brings you to my office?" I ask.

"Bethany. I am sorry, Kade, that you are the one she has focused her attention on. Blythe told me everything. Beth tried to lie and turn it around on you when I spoke to her, but I knew she was lying. I feel terrible for bringing her into your life."

"It is okay. You have nothing to feel bad about. I understand Beth needs help, and I promise to try to make things as easy as I can for her. I will stay away from her, and if she does come around, I will be firm and let either you or Blythe know what happened."

"I have everything to feel bad for. If I didn't introduce you at the dinner we all had, then you wouldn't be on her radar. We are going to do what we can to get her back into therapy and everything else she needs. It isn't going to be easy because she believes everything is fine."

"It is not your fault. I really hope she gets the help she needs."

Yes, what she is doing is messed up, but she is clearly not well. I am not going to be an asshole about it or treat her like crap. I will be firm and honest, but I will try my best not to fuel it any further.

"Me too. I thought she was past all of this. It has been a long time since she has shown such behaviour. Thank you for being so understanding, Kade, when you don't need to be. You are a good man." He smiles.

"Bethany will get the help when she is ready."

I don't know if that is true, but I need to hope it is.

"I hope you are right. Anyway, I need to go. I need to check on Blythe before heading out. Enjoy the rest of your day. If Bethany shows up or even reaches out in any way, please tell me straightaway."

"I will. I promise."

He nods, shaking my hand before exiting my office. I have no idea if Beth will stay away or not. I just need to be cautious. I pull it together and get back to work. I still have a lot to do. I don't want to be out here too late tonight. I need to find out what is next for Blythe and me, sooner rather than later. I can't keep wondering. Blythe wants to be with me, that is one thing I am sure of, but that won't make a difference if she doesn't want to continue because of her sister. It will be hard being around Blythe all the time if she ends things. I will need to see her every day at work and work closely with her. Hopefully it won't come to that.

****

I sign off for the day. I finished later than planned. I hoped to be done by five, but it is now after six. I don't even know if Blythe is still here or if she left without telling me. There is one way to find out. I gather my things, exit my office, and head to hers.

I notice her sitting at her desk, typing away. I knock lightly on the door, nervous, because the next few minutes could change everything. With a smile, she motions for me to come in.

"Are you done for the day?" she asks.

"Yes, are you nearly done? Can I help with anything?"

Blythe shakes her head. "No, no help needed, but I am just finishing up."

I stroll over to her desk. "Are you ready to talk?"

If she isn't, I won't say another word and leave, let her come to me when she is ready. When she has made up her mind.

"I am. Do you want to grab dinner? Or even a drink?"

"Dinner sounds good. I haven't eaten since breakfast."

"Okay. Give me a few minutes to finish up."

I nod and take a seat on the sofa in her office, waiting patiently. Five minutes turn into ten, but Blythe finally signs off for the night and grabs her things. We head to the lift in silence. It is a little awkward, which I hate. Things aren't supposed to be awkward between us. We step into the lift and press the ground floor. I feel Blythe's eyes on me, so I turn to face her. She is chewing her lip nervously.

"Blythe, what is wrong?" I ask.

She does not say a word. She stares at me, and she seems deep in thought, as she does. It makes me nervous, too. What is she thinking? Is she trying to work the right words to end things?

I rub the back of my neck. "Blythe, say something, please. You are making me anxious."

Blythe draws in a breath and takes a few steps closer to me. Her body presses to mine, and my breath catches in my throat. Without a word, she reaches up and covers my lips with hers. I groan, instantly wrap my arm around her and kiss back. My hold is tight, worried that the second the kiss ends, we end. Her arms come around my neck, deepening the kiss, moaning into my lips.

It lasts a few moments before she pulls away. "I have made up my mind."

I swallow hard. "And what did you decide? Was that a goodbye kiss or I am willing to try kiss?"

"It isn't a goodbye kiss." She smiles, pecking my lips.

I smile brightly. "I hoped you would have said that."

"We still need to talk, but I am not ending things. I promise, so please don't think I am, okay?"

"Okay."

I assume what we need to talk about is how this is going to work. I don't mind either way. All that matters to me is that Blythe doesn't want to end things with us.