Her Chance At Love. Nicki Night

didn’t want to lose sight of Alana and Cadence.

      Jeff shook Blake’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough for all of your help, man.”

      Blake nodded. “You’re welcome.”

      “Hey, listen, you and your team were great. I’d like to talk with you more about some of our other programs, maybe pull you in to speak to our students sometime.”

      “Sounds like a plan.” Blake was sincerely interested in hearing more, but as he looked around, he saw that Cadence had packed up her laptop and slipped her purse onto her shoulder. He didn’t want her to leave before getting another chance to talk to her. Blake turned his attention back to Jeff. “Send me some information. I’d be happy to work something out.”

      “Great!” Jeff shook Blake’s hand harder, smiling and nodding his head appreciatively.

      Blake looked past him and saw Alana and Cadence heading for the door.

      “Jeff, I need to run. Shoot me an email and we’ll set something up.”

      Taking off in Cadence’s direction, Blake called out her name. He had to repeat it several times over the noise of chatter, packing tape and tables and chairs being dragged across the floor. Catching up with them right at the door, Blake opened his arms and pulled Alana into a bear hug.

      “Thanks for always pulling up the rear.”

      “Oh, Blake, please. You know I always come through.”

      After squeezing Alana in that friendly embrace, he turned his attention to Cadence. “Thanks for coming with me for the food run earlier.”

      “Sure.” Cadence just smiled and nodded.

      “I can’t get a hug?” Blake asked, drawing his cheeks down into a pout.

      Cadence cast her eyes heavenly, shook her head and stepped into Blake’s waiting arms. When Blake fastened his arms around her, he sucked in a delicate whiff of her natural scent mixed with her floral perfume. Instinctively, his eyes closed and his gut tightened. The soft feel of her cool supple skin was almost intoxicating. After letting his embrace linger, he reluctantly pulled himself away. His earlier thought returned. He wanted more of Cadence.

      “Let me take you ladies to dinner. It will be a token of my appreciation for all your hard work today. You have to be hungry. I know I’m starving.”

      “Of course you can take me to dinner! I say no to drugs, not food!” Alana said. They all chuckled before turning their attention toward Cadence, who had yet to respond to Blake’s invitation.

      Cadence’s response was already etched into her face. Blake could see it. His knotted stomach also felt it. “Not to—”

      “Come on, Cadence!” Alana cut into her objection before she could get it all out. “You just said you were hungry,” Alana blurted. Cadence stretched her eyes at Alana and cut her a sharp glare. Alana dismissed Cadence with a wave and turned her attention to Blake. “Where are we going to eat? She didn’t drive, so she’s riding with me.”

      Cadence tossed her hands up in defeat. “I guess I’m going to have dinner with you two.” She cut her eyes back toward Alana. “Next time, I’ll bring my own car.”

      Alana smiled and winked at Cadence before turning her attention back to Blake. “Don’t mind her. She’s just a homebody. Sometimes I have to practically drag her out of the house.”

      “You like Asian fusion?” Blake directed his question toward Cadence.

      “Sure,” she said, with mock enthusiasm.

      “Let’s go to Asia Moon on Franklin,” Blake suggested. “It’s not too far from here.”

      “Oh yes!” Alana said. “I could use one of their martinis.”

      “Okay. Let me grab my stuff and close things out over here. I can meet you there in about—” Blake looked down at his watch and mumbled as he calculated “—twenty minutes?” Blake waited for the two of them to nod their approval before turning and jogging back to the table where his laptop still rested. Thankful for Alana’s insistence, he felt like jumping in the air and clicking his heels. Because of her, he’d have another few hours to work his charms on Cadence.

      One way or another, he was determined to break through that shell that Cadence had erected around herself. He snickered when he thought scandalously about what he’d find on the inside—all puns intended.