Cadence was well aware of what Aaron was thinking before he even said a word, and the pressure on her leg let her know Elliott was waiting for it, too. It only took a second before Eliza said, "Well, I think that went pretty well, didn't it?"
"You think we should do it?" Aaron asked her, calmly.
"It sounds like a really good plan to me," Eliza remarked. "I mean, it needs some tweaking, but if we can get Giovani, on Zabrina's word, we can bring her in, too. That whole band of renegades is brought in, and we save the day!" she smiled.
"You mean, you save the day?" Elliott asked, no longer able to hold back.
"What?" Eliza asked. "No, it'll be a team effort"
"Come on, Elliott, give her a break. I think Eliza's really trying to redeem herself here," Aaron directed.
Cadence saw a quick flicker of confusion cross her friend's face before it faded to understanding, and she wasn't sure if Aaron had explained on the IAC or if Elliott suddenly realized Aaron's plan was more thought-out then he had originally gathered. Eventually, he said, "Sorry. I just... whatever you think, boss."
"Tell you what, we've all had a long day. Let's call it an evening and reconvene in the morning and see what we think then. Sound like a plan?" Everyone nodded in agreement. "All right, good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
Cadence gave Aaron a small smile as he passed her on the way to his desk. She stood, stretched, and waited to see if Eliza would linger in an attempt to get Aaron to herself or walk. Without saying anything, Eliza flashed them a smug smile, grabbed her bag, and made her way to the door.
"We need to go, too," Elliott whispered, and Cadence nodded. She was certain Eliza would be waiting to see if they also left. Sure enough, she was standing at the front desk, talking to Mrs. Carminati, a fake grin plastered on her pretty face, when they walked by.
"Pizza sounds good to me," Elliott said, as if they had been discussing dinner plans so that Eliza would have no idea the other three members of the committee were planning to meet shortly.
"Good idea. Why bother to start worrying about your thighs now?" Eliza shot to Cadence without even looking away from the receptionist.
Cadence didn't even give her the satisfaction of acknowledging the ridiculous remark. "Have a good night, Mrs. C.!" she shouted as they made their way out the door, Elliott's arm around her shoulders.
Initially, Aaron had planned to meet them back at her apartment immediately; they were both certain of that before he came over the IAC to confirm it. However, he truly did have business to do, and it was taking a lot longer than expected. Elliott ordered a pepperoni pizza, and they made themselves comfortable on Cadence's couch in front of a movie while they waited.
At around 11:00, Cadence realized she'd dozed off. She awoke to the low rumble of Elliott trying to stifle a laugh. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, the hang-over feeling back again.
"Sorry," he said as she pulled her head off of his chest. "I was trying not to wake you up, but Jimmy Fallon is so damn funny."
"I'm sorry I fell asleep on you," she said, taking a sip of water to try to get rid of the nasty taste in her mouth.
"I've slept with worse," he muttered, turning the TV down a bit.
She laughed and scooted back on the sofa a bit. "I bet you have," she said, a teasing tone in her voice.
"Hey," he shot back, as if he were offended. "I've slept with some pretty hot chicks in my day, too."
"Have you?" she asked, feeling a little odd to be having this discussion with someone she considered to be her brother.
"Yes, ma'am. Dr. Sanderson knows how to get around," he replied.
"Good for you, bro," she said, patting him on the leg.
"You seem surprised."
"No," she replied, over-dramatically. "Not even a little bit."
"Whatever," he muttered. "Listen you, I may not be a ten when it comes to looks, but I've got personality, and that's important."
She laughed. "Elliott, you know I'm just teasing. I'm sure you're a hit with the ladies. I love you."
"As well you should. As well you should..." he answered, feigning offense.
After a long pause, Cadence asked, "Uh, so how many ladies have you been a hit with, anyway?"
"You did not seriously just ask me that," he said appearing to be shocked.
"I just wondered..." Cadence replied, trying to appear innocent.
Elliott was shaking his head. "What if I asked you that question? How would you feel about that?"
"Ask!" she insisted. "Go ahead!"
"Fine! How many ladies have you been with?"
Cadence burst out laughing, and it took her a few minutes to regain her composure. She had not been expecting that particular question at all. When she was finally done laughing, she said, "None, smart ass. But, counting Jack, I've been with exactly one guy. So there. I'm not embarrassed about that at all."
"Really?" Elliott asked, a shocked expression on his face.
"Really," Cadence replied.
"Really?" he asked again.
"Yes! Good God, it's not like I'm a virgin. But I'm not even twenty yet, you know. I will be in a couple of months. Still, I was only at college for, like, half a semester. I'm a ... good girl... I guess."
Elliott nodded his head sharply. "Well, little sister, I am very proud of you," he said, wrapping his arm around her.
"Thank you," Cadence replied. "Now, if you don't want to tell me how many ladies' hearts you've broken, tell me this, other than your wife, how many times have you been in love?"
He was quiet for a second and she couldn't tell if he was thinking or if he just didn't want to answer. Finally, he said "One other time."
Cadence smiled and nodded.
"What about you?" he asked, nudging her in the shoulder with his burly one.
Cadence looked at him surprised. "How many times have I been in love?"
"Yeah--forget the wife part."
She chuckled before regaining a serious expression. "You already know that," she replied.
"Not necessarily..."
She shook her head. "No, just twice. At this point."
"Good," he agreed.
Cadence was quiet and introspective again before she asked, "So, what was her name?"
A small smile curled the edges of his lips. For a moment, she thought maybe he wouldn't tell her, but eventually he did. "Her name was Amanda Keen, and she had the prettiest red, curly hair you ever saw."
Cadence smiled. "Ah, how sweet! How long did you date her?"
He had a far off look in his eyes, and the smile began to fade. "I didn't. Just... one night, that's all."
"Really?" Cadence asked confused. "But you knew you loved her?'
"Oh, yes," he replied with certainty. "Sometimes you just know, you know?"
"I do," she concurred. "So, what happened? How come you never saw her again?"
"Oh, it was complicated. It was like... almost twenty years ago. I was really busy with work, just trying to make sure I did everything I was supposed to. We met in a club in Tulsa of all places. I don't know. I guess... part of me was afraid..."
"Afraid of what?" she asked her hand on his knee, a serious expression on her face.
The usual happy-go-lucky Elliott was gone, and this more thoughtful, introspective one appeared to be carefully considering her question. "I guess I was afraid she might not feel the same way."
Cadence frowned. After a moment, she said, "But wouldn't it have been worth it to try, to find out?" He just shrugged, and she continued. "I mean, what if you would have had the most epic love story in history, but you never got to find out because you gave up?"
Slowly, he turned and looked at her, a knowing look on his face, and she realized he had set her up. "Jackass," she mumbled.
"Hey, you're absolutely right," he admitted. "Aren't you?"
"It's not my decision, Elliott," she reminded him.
"I think it is," he replied. "I think if you dump what's his ass and tell Aaron how you really feel, then you'd have that epic love story yourself."
Cadence shook her head. "It's so... complicated."
"Yeah, I know," he agreed. "It always is."
"So Amanda--that was true?" she clarified.
"Hell, yes," he replied, honestly a bit offended. "I didn't make that up just to set your trap. You did that yourself."
She was quiet for a second before saying, "I'm sorry." He nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, without speaking. "How about this... you call Amanda, tell her you'd like to see her again, and I'll reconsider our situation."
"Oh, no," Elliott protested, removing his arm.
"Why not? You just said you loved her! Give it a chance!" Cadence implored.
"Cadence, she'd be a little confused as to why I still appear to be in my mid-twenties and she's in her forties," he reminded her.
"So? Talk to her online, get to know her again, and then tell her you're a superhero. If she's as amazing as the Amanda you remember, she'll be fine with it."
He was shaking his head slowly. Finally, he said, "I don't know, kid. That's a big step."
"Just think about it, okay?" she asked.
"Okay," he promised. "I will."
"Awesome. Now, where the hell is Aaron? I'm so tired."
"I noticed. Not sleeping again?" he asked.
"I haven't been. In months. I wish you could do that sleeping thing again," she said, remembering when he had put her under some sort of sleeping hypnosis to help her finally get some good rest after days of being awake upset about Jack.
"I wish I could, too, but at this rate, you might sleep for four or five days straight, and you'd miss the hunt," he explained.
"I know," she admitted. "But if I don't get some sleep, I'm going to be worthless anyway."
"Maybe it would help if I stayed with you?" he suggested.
She thought about it for a second. "I don't think it would, honestly," she admitted. "I mean, I fell asleep earlier, but it wasn't restful. I don't know what I'm going to do. I've tried every over-the-counter everything, every home remedy. Nothing works. The only decent night sleep I've gotten in months was..."
"What?" Elliott asked as her face changed before his eyes.
Cadence shook her head. "Nothing. It... doesn't matter. Aaron's here."
