I exhale. “Okay.”
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
ZIGGY
Leaving Wilde’s End isn’t something I enjoy. Out there, past the trees and the safety of the familiar, people are unpredictable and mean. I’m safe here.
I leave, but only when I need to. Getting solar power hooked up to the town was a lot of trial and error. Solar isn’t something I’d ever learned about, so when I started the project, I needed more help than playing with parts could get me. Rooney found people who knew what they were doing, and they helped me learn everything I could.
And then I came right back home again.
I remind myself, yet again, that it’s only for the day. Just a few hours to go with Kennedy, look up whatever we need to, and then come back here. He’ll be with me the entire time, and he might have been the one to say that he’ll follow me anywhere, but that goes both ways.
When it comes to getting to spend time with him, I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do.
Kennedy is waiting for me, leaning against the hood of his car, wearing denim jeans that hug his thick thighs and a button-down that looks fancier than anything I’ve seen him wear before.
Wish I’d gotten the memo that we’re dressing up. Though it’s not like that would have mattered when I own exactly three outfits. Well,two, considering I couldn’t find my favorite shirt this morning.
And even in my oversized T-shirt and jeans, Kennedy’s face splits into a grin when he spots me.
“I was starting to get scared you’d changed your mind.”
From spending time with him? Impossible.
I round the car to climb into the passenger seat, and it takes me a second to realize that he was watching me expectantly. We make eye contact through the window, and then he shrugs and joins me in the cab.
“I’ll figure you out yet,” he says, starting the car. “After yesterday, I assumed that you needed time to answer, and sinceItalk so much, I thought you didn’t bother around me because I never shut up. But that’s not it, is it?”
I could say the wordno,but it’s not worth the effort when I can shake my head instead.
“Interesting …”
There’s nothing about me that’s interesting. Kennedy’s impression of me has grown to the point that I’m scared that if I do get comfortable enough around him to talk beyond a couple of forced and rehearsed sentences, I’m going to shock him with the reality. There’s nothing interesting. Or delicate. Or fun. I’m a useless, pathetic waste of space, and I hate that he’s going to figure it out one day.
The constant battle I have with myself over wanting us to get closer and not wanting him to discover all my broken pieces is endless.
“We’ll head to the diner today,” he says, cutting through my nosediving thoughts. “They have free Wi-Fi, and I can buy you lunch.”
I’m about to decline his offer, but Kennedy turns away from me quickly. “What’s that? Thank you, Kenny? Oh, you’re welcome, Ziggy. It’s the least I can do since you’re working with us and not letting us pay you.”
I glare at the side of his face, and while he doesn’t acknowledge the evil eye, I know he can feel it.
“Ziggy, stop,” he whines in that same over-the-top voice. “I know I’m amazing and so generous, but you don’t have to keep thanking me. You’re embarrassing me now.”
I throw up my hands because there’s no arguing with him. Kennedy risks a quick look over from the corner of his eyes, and even though I give him my sternest expression, his smile doesn’t waver.
“You look like an evil kitten.”
A kitten? What the hell?
“Yes, a kitten.” His teasing is as irritatingly attractive as always. “You’re so cute and little.”
I’m taller than he is!
“Yeah, yeah. We’re close to the same height, but that doesn’t mean anything. You’ve got a sweet little face, and I bet if you could talk right now, you’d be telling me to fuck off.” He looks over again. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
