Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“You proved that with Jodi. I’ve never seen him so polite. You put the fear of God in him, son.”
“I didn’t even think. I just couldn’t stand him talking to her like that.”
He looks at me for a long time. “I like to think I’m a pretty good judge of character, and I’m having a hard time thinking of a reason to tell you to back off.”
“The age gap doesn’t bother you?”
Vincent sighs, as if thinking it over. “If I detected any hint of a predator in you, then maybe it would. If I thought you were lying about not dating, then I might take issue with it, but I see how sincere you are. I just hope you don’t prove me wrong.”
“I won’t,” I tell him.
The only thing I might do is push too far, freak him and his daughter out with my intensity.
“Then you have my blessing.”
“Thank you, sir.”
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Luna
I stand across the street from the café, leaning against the tattoo studio, my arms folded as I stare at the exterior. There’s a pulsing that just won’t quit, taking hold of my body, thundering as I think about what could be happening.
When Dad told me to go to the studio—I want to talk with him alone—I almost said no, but I could tell Dad was serious. Now he’s over there, probably grilling him.
People walk by me, not seeing me, no clue about the uncertainty crashing in my mind. Then I spot Dad walking across the street. The closer he gets, the deeper the pit in my belly becomes, but then I see the smile on his face.
“Done with the interrogation?” I ask, trying to make my tone light, but I can’t stifle the darkness.
Dad chuckles. “He’s either a good man… or the best actor in the world. You know what I say.”
“You like to think you’re a good judge of character.”
Dad nods. “Exactly. I judge his as solid. He told me something interesting.”
“What?”
“I’m not sure it’s my place. Just ask him when his last date was.”
It’s the sort of question I don’t want to ask, leaving me exposed to the idea of him with other women. It’s the sort of question that could royally twist me up, but if that was the case, why would Dad want me to ask it?
“Are you still helping with the soup kitchen this evening?”
“Yeah,” I reply. “Of course. Where is he, Dad?”
“Waiting across the street for you.”
“Okay, I won’t be long.”
I walk across the street on shaky legs and push the door to the café open.
Kayden stands as I approach. I walk quickly over to him, wanting to throw myself at him, but I know where it could lead. We can’t tame the want in us.
“Sorry about that,” I murmur.
“You don’t have to apologize. He wanted to make sure I will do right by you. I respect that.”
“It couldn’t have been fun.”
“He did his duty.”
We stand close, letting me feel the heat radiating from his body, as if they shared more tension than he’s letting on.
“I’m going to head home soon to help Dad with some veteran stuff,” I say.
Kayden nods. “I’ve got a few evening sessions booked, but tomorrow…”
I smile widely. “Our date?”
“I’ll pick you up at seven?”
“That sounds amazing.”
I almost don’t say it, but it niggles at me… what Dad suggested.
“Kayden, Dad mentioned something.”
“Hmm?”
I laugh reflexively, and Kayden grins. “What?”
“Just you, when you say hmm. You’re so intense and broody.”
“I didn’t even know I did that.”
“All the time,” I tease, “but I like it.”
He smirks, reaching out, taking my hand. He holds me gentler than he has yet, as if aware of Dad’s presence so close to us.
“What did your dad mention?”
“Just that I should ask you when you last dated.”
“Over ten years ago,” he says without missing a beat.
A gasp escapes me. “Seriously?”
He looks at me with those nothing-else-matters eyes. “Seriously.”
“But why…”
“Don’t say it, Luna. Don’t ask why you. The answer’s obvious. It’s because you’re… you.”
“I guess we did have a connection pretty much straightaway…”
He moves closer. “You guess? There’s no guessing about it. I felt it and so did you.”
I wonder if he’s going to go all the way. Tell me that family talk in the studio wasn’t just talk and tell me I’m right for looking into the future.
“Even when I dated, it was never anything serious,” he goes on. “It was never like this.”
“Does that mean we’re serious?”
I say it before I have a chance to force it down, to stop from humiliating myself.
“Would that frighten you?” he says, squeezing my hand reassuringly.
“No,” I whisper. “I don’t think so. Should it?”
He chuckles warmly. “I think it would freak most women out if a man told them he wanted to get serious so soon.”
“I don’t care about most women.”
He pulls me into a hug, cradling me gently.
“I wish our date was tonight,” I whisper into his firm chest.