The weight of the heaping basket eases, and I spin around so I can march it into the kitchen.
But I only take two steps before I collide with a very hard, very firm, verypresentwall.
Okay.
Not what I expected.
Kane grabs the basket as I bounce off his chest with a slightoof.
His other hand flies out to take my elbow, helping steady me.
The next second, he’s releasing me again, his face totally blank as he holds that ridiculous pile of blueberries like it’s fresh laundry.
Show-off. Him and his big stupid arms.
Enormous, Hercules arms.
I try not to notice, but it’s like staring at the sky and pretending the sun isn’t there.
Who else has biceps big enough to threaten popping out of that oversized hoodie, anyway?
And his eyes, holy—
For a hot second, they drill through me.
They’re so effinggreen.
I didn’t know human eyes could rival the forest, but here we are.
There’s still something familiar about his face, too.
Like I’ve seen it before.
The hard lines, the way he goes from stormy to soft as cotton candy for his kids, the square jaw that looks like it could break the fist of anyone stupid enough to throw a punch.
He’s imposing in the way guys get when they’ve spent too much time working out and posing behind an Instagram filter.
Not that he strikes me as the model type, or even the type to want attention.
I just can’t figure him out and it’s infuriating.
Behind him, the kids zoom upstairs for their homework.
If it was me, I’d be dragging my feet and sulking, but they’re laughing now. Dan takes Sophie’s arm and drags her up faster.
I notice the chunky shoes she’s still wearing in the house while her brother goes around in his socks.
I didn’t pick up on them yesterday. She moves like she’s used to them on her skinny legs.
And I wonder if they’re the reason she shut down earlier.
I look back at Kane, who’s still staring at me. His dark brows draw together and his mouth slashes into a pointed frown.
“Thanks, but I’ve got it,” I say, gesturing to the basket. “Go enjoy your breakfast. Clean up. Whatever.”
He doesn’t let go.
Asshat.
