Chapter 568:
Alicia rolled her eyes. "Actually, I just needed your help with something."
Gerry immediately declared, "I won't betray Caden."
Alicia sighed in exasperation. "I'm not asking you to do that. I need something from you."
"What is it, then?"
Alicia glanced at Cliff before clearing her throat. "I don't think it's appropriate to say with your brother present..."
Gerry was mildly startled, racking his brain to recall any recent follies. "What is it that you need?" he asked cautiously.
"Give me a hint," Alicia prompted, leaning close to whisper in his ear, "You definitely don't know about this."
"Can you two keep it down?" Cliff interjected unexpectedly. "I'm not deaf, you know."
Gerry pressed his lips into a thin line and tapped his nose. Cliff noted the panicked expression on his brother's face. "If you cause any trouble again, I'll break your legs."
Alicia slapped her forehead, laughing. Just then, a puppy trotted over and nuzzled her shin. "Cade," she exclaimed, rubbing the dog's head.
The name slipped out instinctively, drawing three surprised stares. Gerry nearly choked, glancing wildly around. "Who are you talking to? It's not Caden, is it? God, that would be incredibly awkward."
Alicia picked up the border collie, continuing to pet it. "No, I was talking to my puppy," she chuckled.
Gerry stared at the dog. She had named it Cade? That was even more shocking than actually finding Caden there. How did she even convince him to agree on the name? As if on cue, Gerry saw Caden ascending the stairs.
"Cade!" he called out in greeting.
Alicia's head snapped up at Caden's approaching figure. Stifling a grin, she quickly turned away. Caden looked back and forth between Alicia and Gerry, a hint of challenge in his eyes.
"Who were you calling just now?"
Gerry forced a nervous laugh, attempting to defuse the situation. "Not you, of course. I was talking to the dog." He reached for the pup to support his excuse, but Caden shoved him away before he could touch its fur.
Caden took Gerry's place, sitting facing Alicia.