Two Bar Mitzvahs Read Online Free PDF Page A

face.
    “And you got help?”
    She nodded. “Believe it or not, they have rehab for sex addiction, just like any other addiction. And afterward, there are support meetings, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.”
    Wow. I didn’t even know what to say to that. My mind spun. So she only cared about her next “fix” when she cheated on me? Couldn’t help herself?
    I had to focus to get back on point. There was a reason I’d agreed to meet with her. Two of them, actually. “What do you want from me?”
    “I just needed to apologize to you; it’s part of my recovery. You don’t have to accept it.” The corner of her mouth tugged up then fell, her expression sad. When she glanced up at me, she looked hopeful.
    Fuck. I sighed. I wasn’t cruel. “I’ll accept your apology, Madison.” Didn’t mean I had to like her. Or suddenly become friends with her.
    Or forget.
    “Thank you.” Her tone was genuinely vulnerable, a first from her.
    I took a swallow of my warm espresso while I carefully considered my next words, struggling with how to broach the other reason I’d agree to meet her. I didn’t want to shut her down after she’d been so open. Like I’d approached her in line earlier, I swung wide first. “What have you been doing since you’ve returned? Are you working?”
    Her expression lightened. “Yes. I’ve recently been hired at a country club. Not ours. One across town.”
    I took the small opening and leaned forward, staring at her. “Madison, I have to ask this: You called me out of the blue the same day someone messed with our company. Did you have anything to do with that?”
    Her brows drew together. “Cade, I want to be friends with you again. I want things between us to be better—maybe even great. Why would I do that?”
    Good question. (I had no idea.) The woman sitting in front of me only physically resembled the Madison I remembered. Everything out of her mouth surprised me.
    “I don’t know.” I didn’t have another ready suspect. Hell, I hadn’t even let Madison off the hook, but I didn’t have proof. Only gut instinct and suspicion.
    She nodded. “So will you?”
    “Will I what?”
    “Will you be friends with me again? We grew up together. We know so much about each other. It seems such a waste to let all that go.”
    Confused, my expression hardened. My mind warred with the memories of Madison in the past and the person sitting in front of me. Which one was she offering?
    I blew out a breath, forcing myself to relax. I didn’t have to do shit. I did what I came here to do.
    “I don’t know, Madison. I don’t know what you mean by ‘better’ or ‘great.’ To be honest, I’m having a hard time picturing us as friends. And just so you know, I have a girlfriend. If that’s where you’re going with this, it won’t work.”
    She swallowed hard, unfazed. “I do understand. Please think about it. I wasn’t rotten to only you but to a lot of people. I don’t have many friends. I’m trying to make new ones. Having you as a friend would mean a lot. You’re one of my oldest.”
    Dammit. Her plea tugged at my heart and it pissed me the fuck off. “I’ll think about it. It’s all I can promise.” I stood from the table. “I need to go.” I would’ve told her it was great seeing her again, but it wasn’t.
    She nodded. “Thank you for meeting me.”
    “You’re welcome.” I left before she decided she needed a hug or some other crazy shit. She’d rattled me enough as it was.
    ***
    We’d stopped at the grocery store for a few last-minute items, then hit the road in my Jeep, heading out to the campground. Hannah kept bouncing and fidgeting, full of nervous energy. Yet every time I took my eyes off the road and glanced at her, she beamed one of her megawatt smiles.
    “Excited?” Yeah, I know. Master of the obvious.
    She nodded. “Totally. Will we go for a hike? Will there be elk? Do they have different pine trees than in the city?”
    I laughed. “We can do whatever