He then said earnestly, “I really need to sleep now, or I might actually collapse.”

As he spoke, he opened the door and found Gerry squatting at the entrance, cradling Cade in his arms while his hand reached into the dog’s mouth.

Caden scowled.

“What are you doing?”

Gerry was looking into the dog’s mouth.

“He just swallowed my cufflink. I’m checking to see if I can retrieve it; I’m worried it might get lodged inside.”

Caden replied, “It’s already been swallowed.”

“What? That was a personalized cufflink from my brother’s military unit.”

Gerry was about to pick up the dog, but Caden stopped him.

“It’s useless. Come back tomorrow to retrieve it.”

Ⓜⓞⓡⓔ ⓤⓟⓓⓐⓣⓔⓢ ⓘⓝ ⓖⓐⓛⓝⓞⓥⓔⓛⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ

Gerry asked, “Retrieve what?”

“Your cufflink.”

“Will Cade throw it up tomorrow?”

“It’ll pass through. You’ll have to come back tomorrow and dig through his poop.”

Gerry’s expression soured.

“Oh, I don’t think that cufflink is as crucial anymore.”

Caden was taken aback.

Gerry exhaled and decided to leave Cade be. He asked, “What were you two discussing in there just now? Something about exhaustion and collapse?”

Alicia’s lips quivered slightly as she moved forward.

Caden quirked an eyebrow.

“Private chats are for couples. Why the interest, being single and all?”

Gerry was caught off guard, feeling hurt. Wonderful, another personal attack.

Gerry had come over to discuss something Caden had asked him to check on previously. Seizing the opportunity while Alicia was away, Gerry whispered, “When will you inspect it with me?”

Caden poured himself a glass of water and said, “No rush. Give me a couple of days to rest.”

“You might not be in a rush, but I am.”

Caden’s expression turned stern.

“Why the rush? It’s not like I’m marrying you.”

Gerry took a sharp breath and maintained some distance.

“I’m just curious about how someone like you would make a proposal.”

Caden sipped his water, his expression cold.