Frustration twisted Jake’s features. “No. The doctor said it’s normal with how hard I hit my head. They may come back. They may not.”
Tilly nodded. “You know what? If they don’t come back, then that’s your brain saying you’re better off without them.”
When the two smiled at each other, Kayden couldn’t help the tug of jealousy that skittered through his chest. Not because of their closeness, or the way he looked at her like she washis…but because every smile she gave Jake, he wanted for himself.
CHAPTER 13
Tilly parked her car in the restaurant’s lot. She was running late for Cody’s birthday dinner. Man, she was always running late these days, but tonight, she had no one to blame but herself. She’d gotten so caught up in painting the new window frames that she hadn’t realized the time, then it had been a mad dash to shower, change, and get out of the house.
Quickly, she grabbed her purse from the passenger seat and rushed out of the car. She was almost to the door when her heel hit a rock and she half fell to the ground, grazing her knee.
Ouch!
Good God, she was a mess.
She pushed back to her feet, cringing at the small graze on her knee before moving inside the Chinese restaurant. Despite it being a Monday night, the place was busy. Not a surprise—this restaurant was a favorite in Misty Peak. She spotted Harper and the others immediately. They sat at a large round table near the front.
Of course, Kayden was the first to glance up at her. His gaze collided with hers before lazily roaming over her body like he was taking in every part of her figure-hugging short black dress.An involuntary shudder rolled down her spine, and she forced her feet to move forward. It took effort…certainly a lot more than it should have.
When Harper saw her, her friend rose and gave her a hug. “You made it.”
She pulled back. “Sorry I’m late.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I’m just glad you’re here.”
Cody stood next and gave her a brief hug. She handed him a bottle of wine. “I know you own and run a bar, but I don’t think you sell this one.”
He read the label, a small whistle sounding from his lips. “A Shiraz Grenache all the way from Paxton Winery, South Australia.”
“It’s a good one.”
“I can’t wait to try it.”
She smiled and greeted both Eastern and his daughter, Avery. It was only when Kayden rose to his feet that she noticed the one remaining empty seat was between Harper and him.
Kayden leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her cheek. “It’s good to see you, Tilly.”
That touch, those lips…they felt like fire. Was she red? Because she felt red. “You too, Kayden.”
He held her seat out for her, and she lowered into it. He settled beside her and she was suddenly all too aware of how close the seats were. So close, she was basically grazing Kayden’s shoulder. Not unusual for Chinese restaurants.
She was just laying her napkin onto her lap when he leaned over, his mouth almost touching her ear as he whispered, “Is your knee okay?”
He’d seen the scrape? “Depends. Is a person okay when they fall to the ground in an empty parking lot?”
Instead of appearing amused, he looked worried. “Do you want me to look at it?”
Would it be pathetic of her to say yes, just so he touched her? Yeah, it probably would be. “I’m okay.”
“Guess what I’m eating, Tilly.”
Thank God for Avery. She shifted her attention to the eight-year-old, who was leaning over the table. “Noodles?”
“Yes. And honey chicken and fried rice.”
“Oh my gosh, what a delicious combination.”
“And Daddy said I could get fried ice cream for dessertandhave a piece of Cody’s cake.”
