The Exception(47)

I rolled my eyes at myself.

I had spent the most of the morning catching up on errands and chores, trying to keep my mind off of the night before … specifically of Cane walking out with the bar whore.

I had gotten worked up and pushed him away, but his arrogance mixed with the alcohol I had consumed proved to be a dangerous combination.

As much as I hated to admit it—I was angry.

I was angry that he came to get me and left with her. I was angry he showed up at all. I was angry that he acted like I was unimportant. I was angry he was so confusing. I was angry I allowed him to get to me.

I was angry that I couldn’t stop being angry.

He clearly doesn’t want me, but why is he so hell-bent on making sure I know it?

I grabbed the mop from the broom closet, deciding that the kitchen tile could use a nice sheen when my cell buzzed in my pocket. Annoyed, I answered the call even though I didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Jada! It’s Simon Powers.”

I leaned the mop against the door as confusion swept over me. “Hey, Simon. What’s up?”

“I’m sorry for calling you on a Saturday afternoon, but I talked to my loan officer at the close of business yesterday and she had some questions. I got busy and worked late last night, so I hope you don’t mind me calling you today.”

“I don’t mind,” I said hesitantly, “but Zack is handling everything now.”

Although I still don’t know why …

“Oh. Well, I guess I will try him then. She really needs the answers on Monday morning and Monday’s are crazy in this line of work, you know? I hoped to get everything straightened out today.”

“That works. I’m sure he’ll take care of everything.”

“How have you been, anyway? I haven’t talked to you in a while.” The change in his voice didn’t go unnoticed by me.

“Good,” I lied, thinking back to Lesley’s hand touching Cane’s stomach which, in turn, made my stomach a little sick. “How about you?”

“I’m fine, always fine,” he said. “Hey! You had to bail the last time we tried to grab a bite to eat. Wanna try again tonight?”

I paused for a second, my chest compressing as I remembered Cane’s warning to stay away from Simon. I recalled Lesley leaning her head into his side and wrapping her arms around his waist and my blood boiled.

Don’t mow the sidewalk …

“Sure, Simon. That sounds good. Where do you want to meet?”

I knew he was smiling on the other side of the line. “There’s a great little restaurant over here by me. I can come and pick you up?”

Cane’s words rolled through my mind again and I was a little uneasy.

Was his warning because he was jealous or was there something else going on?

I hesitated, chewing on my fingernail. “You know what? I will just drive over there. I don’t want you making a trip all the way over here and back again tonight. If you text me the address, I’ll meet you there around seven?”

“Sounds great! Can’t wait to see you.”

“See you soon, Simon.”



I spotted Simon’s Avalanche at the rear of the parking lot and pulled in beside him. I checked myself in the mirror before exiting the Jeep. My hand trembled slightly as I wiped my fingertip beneath my eyes, pressing away the puffiness that I couldn’t see but could feel.

I had worn a pair of black pants and a really cute silver top I found in Kari’s closet. I was a little nervous about this date, or whatever it was, and I felt like the extra bit of fabric covering my body would help put a little barrier between Simon and I, should that be necessary.

Not that he had ever done anything to make me feel like that was necessary. I had felt slightly uncomfortable the first time we met. Looking back, that was probably because of my anticipation of seeing Cane again. The only thing that had me slightly on edge at this point was Cane’s little spiel, but that was probably just his arrogance coming through.

I grabbed my purse and was about to toss my phone into it when it lit up. Cane’s name flashed across the front.

Fuck you.

I sent the call to voicemail, set the phone to vibrate, and squared my shoulders. I marched into the little restaurant. It wasn’t a large, corporate affair, but a more intimate place. I pushed open the doors and was taken aback at the beauty of the decor. It looked like a scene out of a vineyard in Tuscany.

I put on my prettiest smile when I spotted Simon sitting at a table in the back. He slowly rose when he saw me, raising his eyebrows.

He had on grey dress pants with a white button down shirt. He wasn’t breathtaking like Cane; Simon was more attractive in a plain kind of way. He was above average in appearance, but there was nothing striking about him. And while Cane had an inherent charisma, something that pulled you to him, Simon was just the opposite. He seemed to be on guard at all times, calculating. It was a little off-putting, but I figured it was just one of his quirks.