Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
The easy familiarity with which he says Clare’s name makes me wonder if the two of them are more than casually acquainted. An ugly stab of jealousy hits me, and I turn away, dismayed.
What is wrong with me? I like Clare, completely apart from her being my new boss, and I have no claim on Kai. I need to get it together.
“What’s the matter?” he asks.
I force a smile. “Nothing. Just preoccupied. If you’ll excuse me for a few minutes, I need to make some calls.”
Grabbing my phone and a sweater, I slip out onto the patio. The chilly morning air won’t let me stay out here long, even with the extra layer, so I waste no time calling my friend Hillary back home.
“Lexy! You’re not back already, are you?”
“No, I’m not. Hil, I need a favor.”
Something in my tone of voice alerts her. “What’s wrong?”
“Scott and I broke up.”
“Oh … I’m sorry.”
She doesn’t sound particularly sorry. I hesitate a moment, then say, “You never liked him, did you?”
There’s a slight pause on her end, too, before she says, “I never thought he was good enough for you. And I suspected that he didn’t really make you happy.”
I sigh. “I blinded myself to the truth about him, but here in Vegas he really let his jerk flag fly. He’s already gone back to Atlanta, and I’d like to get my things out of his place. Since you already have a key …”
“Of course,” she says immediately. “Don’t worry about a thing.”
My relief tells me that I was really worried about what Scott might do. “Thanks. I owe you.”
“Don’t be silly. When will you be back?”
“Not right away. I’m catching up with old friends, and I have a temporary job offer.” I tell her about Belle Epoque, but not the men. I’m not ready to tell anyone about them yet.
Hillary promises to pack everything up—including the plants—while Scott is at work. She’ll take good care of my greenery, and make sure the rest of my things are safe.
We say goodbye, and I hurry back into the warmth of the room to find breakfast waiting. Five minutes later, I say, through a mouthful of egg, “This food is amazing, and so creative.”
“The boy comes up with good recipes, even when he’s not cooking them.” Kai smiles, every inch the proud big brother. “But the lunches and dinners are even better.”
I look around for the bill. “How much did this cost, anyway? Did you pay? You didn’t have to do that, though it’s good that you were here to tip whoever brought it.”
“No charge. The woman who brought it said your meals are included as an employee benefit. But yeah, I tipped her.”
“Free meals? Nice. I’m going to gain twenty pounds if I eat Thorn’s food all day.”
“Worth it,” Kai says with a grin, and takes another bite.
I brush aside the fleeting thought that I never would have made a casual comment about gaining weight in the presence of my ex. I’m fully aware how much more comfortable I am in my own skin now, after less than a day apart from him. He’s the past, and I’m focused on the now. I’ll start sorting out the future sometime soon.
Kai hasn’t said anything about his tattoo shop, or the tv show he was on, but replaying our conversations, I realize he probably assumes I already know. “Gage brought me up to date on everything,” I tell him. “About the two of you going into business, and your show.”
“Oh. Yeah. I thought you knew.” He shrugs. “Though, why would you? It’s not like you looked us up.”
“Kai.”
“Sorry.” He looks away. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m not entirely rational where you’re concerned.”
We’re sitting cross-legged on the bed, the food between us, and I reach out and touch his hand. This kind of conversation is so much easier with Gage, but I owe it to Kai to try. “It wasn’t that I didn’t care. I was just … trying to survive.”
“Yeah. I get that.” There are emotions I can’t name storming in his eyes, but he smiles. “I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me too.”
“And … I gotta go. Big job to prep for.” He climbs off the bed and grabs his jacket. “I’ll call you later.”
“Bye,” I say, and stare at the door he’s closed behind him. No goodbye kiss, no nothing. I can’t escape the feeling that I’ve hurt him.
Well, I’m not entirely rational where he’s concerned, either, so I can cut him some slack. This friends-with-benefits thing has some minefields, but we’ll figure it out. We have to.
I refuse to lose him again.
As if on cue, my phone rings. We all traded numbers last night at dinner, so I can see that it’s Gage calling. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” Just the sound of his voice, so smooth and deep, makes me feel better. “Have you had breakfast?”