A Struggling Dad Joined A Blind Date Unwillingly, Unaware The Woman Was A CEO Who Fell Hard For Him
An Unexpected Encounter
Cade Zeller’s shirt was still damp from the dishwater when his best friend shoved a tie into his hands and said:
“You’re going.”
“I’m not going on some pity date,” Cade muttered trying to wipe spaghetti sauce off the sleeve of his only decent blazer.
“I’ve got to get home before Vinnie’s bedtime.”
“He’s with my sister,” Nate shot back.
“You’ve got one night without work without your kid and without an excuse go you need this.”
Cade glanced down at his work shoes scuffed soaked and still damp from the kitchen floor at the diner he managed part-time.
Nothing about him screamed date night.
But the look in Nate’s eyes was firm the kind of look that said this wasn’t a suggestion.
With zero enthusiasm and the faint smell of garlic lingering on him Cade stepped into the upscale downtown bistro.
He felt like a fraud among the wine glasses and polished marble.
He scanned the room looking for a sign literally a name card or something.
What he found instead was a woman sitting at a corner table legs crossed sipping a glass of red wine like she owned the room.
Because she did.
Zara Langston didn’t do blind dates.
Not until her assistant claimed she’d found someone refreshingly real and different from the usual finance bros.
Zara had rolled her eyes but agreed more for amusement than hope.
She hadn’t expected much.
Certainly not a man walking in looking like he’d fought off a tornado but with a jawline so sharp it could cut glass and eyes that carried the weight of the world.
He paused when he saw her.
Their eyes locked.
Zara gave a soft amused smile.
“Seats not going to pull itself.”
Cade blinked.
“Right sorry i wasn’t sure if this was the right table.”
“You’re late,” she said not unkindly.
“But I’ll forgive you if you sit down and tell me your name.”
“Cade,” he said sliding into the seat across from her still fidgeting with the tie he’d clearly put on in a rush.
“Cade Zeller.”
“Zara Langston nice to meet you.”
“Zara,” he said still feeling wildly out of place.
She tilted her head eyes studying him.
“You look like you had a day.”
He gave a dry laugh.
“That obvious?”
Zara leaned in slightly resting her forearms on the table.
Her watch caught the candle light Rolex obviously but her expression held none of the judgment he expected.
“Tell me something honest.”
Cade blinked.
“Like what?”
“Anything everyone lies on these things impress me with something real.”
He hesitated.
Most women didn’t want real they wanted polished they wanted stability.
He had none of that.
“I didn’t want to come tonight,” he admitted.
“My kid has a science project due tomorrow and I work double shifts six days a week.”
“I smell like lasagna and I don’t know what half the items on this menu are.”
Zara’s lips parted in surprise then slowly curved into a smile.
“That is the most honest thing I’ve heard in 5 years.”
He stared at her unsure what to make of her reaction.
“You’re not mad?”
“I’m intrigued.”
The waiter appeared and Zara took the lead ordering a bottle of wine and two dishes without blinking.
Cade didn’t even know what she said something French but he figured it was safer to let her choose than to embarrass himself.
“You’re a dad?” Zara asked once they were alone again.
“Yeah Vincent he’s seven smart as hell and eats more than a linebacker.”
Her eyes lit up.
“I love that.”
“You do?”
“I run a company Cade i know a lot of men who’d rather talk about their stock portfolio than their kids it’s refreshing.”
Cade leaned back watching her.
“What do you do?”
Zara hesitated.
“Let’s just say I’m in tech.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“What kind of tech?”
“The kind that makes a difference,” she said smoothly changing the subject.
“What do you do when you’re not working or parenting?”
He laughed again.
“That’s my entire life.”
Zara swirled her wine.
“You ever want more?”
Cade looked at her seriously.
“Everyday but I’m not exactly in a position to chase dreams.”
Their food arrived and Cade tried not to react when he realized there were no prices on the menu.
He tasted the meal something creamy and rich and nearly groaned.
“Okay this might be worth the stress of finding a babysitter.”
Zara grinned.
“See you’re already enjoying yourself.”
