Vow of Surrender

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Caedance finished gluing the pearls to the last of the center pieces then shut off the glue gun. She had been working non-stop since she reached the office to make up for her dodgy schedule. She felt bad for putting a lot on her staff while she ran around like a crazy person, but now she was already to go back to her usual work.

She'd asked Bodoway not to tell Adam she was the one who bought the casino. She didn't want him to think she had done it out of pity or see it as an insult to his ability to run his business. She accepted the dinner may be the last time she saw of him until his sister's wedding.

Meg came into the room while she was cleaning up.

"Miss Marshall?"

"Yes?"

"The school called and my daughter is sick. I hate to ask, but would it be alright if I take the rest of the day?"

"Oh, poor thing! Please, take tomorrow too if she isn't feeling better."

"Really?"

"I insist. It's been slow and I don't have much else to do around here. Derrick and I can handle it."

Meg thanked her then left the room. As of late, Caedance found herself being less of a hard-ass. In truth, she had Adam to thank. He made her smile more than she had in a long time. But he wasn't in her life anymore. She wondered if she would ever meet someone who gave her butterflies like that again.

She carried the centerpieces one by one to the table in the corner for later then started cleaning up. There was glitter everywhere, including all over her skirt. Sam would have loved it, especially when she was in Little Space.

Derrick came in just as she was about to gab the broom.

"Miss Marshall, there's someone here to see you."

"Did I have an appointment?"

"No, this is a walk-in. He said his sister is having a wedding here. Last name Drake."

It had to be Koda coming to check on her. He expressed being worried about her when she dropped him off. Despite their complicated past, he was one of her closest friends. She'd forgotten he had a soft side.

"Send him in."

Derrick walked out, and she proceeded to sweep up the glitter and the bits of plastic and fake flowers that had fallen during the project. Oddly enough, this was another form of self-care for her. Cleaning up after creating something beautiful. That and taking hot baths. She hadn't asked Adam what aftercare he wanted, so she went to her go-to: hot water and Epsom salts.

The floors were due for a polish, and she wanted to get it done before the next wedding since it would be indoors. She was usually on it, but lately she was slacking in her duties.

Footsteps caught her attention just as she bent down to sweep the pile into the pan.

"You really could have just texted, Koda," she said. "I'm fine."

"You have the wrong brother."

Caedance turned around at the sound of Adam's voice. There he stood, as handsome as ever with his dark hair half up and half down. His dark grey v-neck t-shirt hugged his muscles in all the right places. He wore fitted dark wash jeans with the confidence of a model.

"Hey . . ." Her voice came out raspier than usual. "I mean hi! I mean . . . what are you doing here?"

"I was recently informed the true intentions for your presence at my parents' house last night. That you came to see me."

Her heart flipped in her chest. Damn it, Koda. Why did he have to run his mouth? Unless it had been the other brother Kai.

"Yes, I did."