He may have said that but she was reading something else.
“How long did you live with her?”
He snorted playing it off but she could see in his eyes, anger, and possibly hurt, though he was trying to conceal it. It was there and she saw it.
“Until the money ran out and her boyfriend decided an eight-year-old was cramping their style. He made her choose.” He paused and a dark shadow crossed his face. “Two days later, she walked me into children’s services and signed away her rights.” He shook his head. “Didn’t even look back as she walked out the door.”
“Bogs,” she whispered.
He sat up quickly leaning over the table and clasping her hand. “Hey, hey, pretty girl, you look like you’re about to cry.” He leaned closer and in a gentle whisper said. “Stop that, it’s okay.”
“It’s not okay, that’s awful and sad and cruel.” She gulped down the knot in her throat. She wasn’t much of a crier but his story was ripping her heart to pieces. How could a mother just leave her child without regret?
He looked down at their hands when she tightened her grip and squeezed. His other hand covered them and hisfingers caressed over their clasped hands. “But that was the worst of it. Got adopted by my mom and dad, couldn’t have asked for two better people. Loved me more than I thought possible. Got three brothers and a pain in the ass little sister.” He smirked and raised his hand, brushing over her wet cheek.
She pulled away and wiped her eyes, feeling silly for getting so upset. She couldn’t help herself. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
“I would have shut it down, if I wasn’t willing to share, okay?” His hazel eyes gleamed.
She nodded, tightening her lips. He squinted and he looked up. “But if you feel so bad and wanna make it up to me, I guess you could kiss it and make it better.”
She rolled her eyes and couldn’t help but laugh. “Kiss what exactly?”
“I’ll let you choose.”
She scooted forward in her seat, resting her elbows on the table and leaned in to brush her lips across his. It was meant to be a quick kiss but when she pulled back slightly and opened her eyes, he was staring at her, smiling. She was done. She pressed her mouth against his again, lingering closely before swiping her tongue across his bottom lip. His mouth opened slightly and she took advantage, deepening the kiss.
She should be embarrassed. Making out with him over a table in public was not the norm for her but with him, she had no restraint. His mouth matched hers and as much as she knew she should end the kiss, she didn’t. Her hand squeezed his as she leaned closer.
Their kiss wasn’t appreciated by all though. Someone blatantly cleared their throat, which made Bogs smile against her lips. He pulled away first but only an inch. His nose glided against hers. “Some people are so rude.”
She laughed. She looked over to the man who was glaring at them. “I think he’s jealous.”
“Of me or you?”
“I don’t know, you are pretty hot.”
They shared a chuckle and went back to their rightful sides of the table. It was a beautiful day, perfect for sitting around with a sexy guy and people watching.
“You surprise me, pretty girl. Didn’t peg you as the PDA kind of girl.”
“I’m usually not.” She lowered her head. It was Bogs who had that effect on her. Her past boyfriends could barely get a peck on the cheek when they were in public but with him, she was practically crawling over the table to get more. If Taylor could see her now. She snorted and he lifted his chin.
“What?”
“I’m just thinking how Taylor would be almost shocked. She thinks I’m a bit of a prude.”
“You?” He shook his head. “Not even close.”
“Well, compared to Taylor, everyone’s a prude. She is a bit of a wild child, has been since the day I met her. We’re like Felix and Oscar.”
“You been friends a long time?” Bogs asked.
Kenzie smiled thinking of the first time she met Taylor. “Since the ninth grade. We moved two months into my freshman year. It sucked. Being new and of course,” she smirked. “fresh meat.”
Bogs chuckled. “Must have been rough, huh?”
She nodded. “Yeah. People were nice, but by that time, everyone’s in their cliques and I was just an outsider. I left behind my own little cliques back home. I hated it.” She sighed. “But a week in, I was sitting in History and the guy behind me was saying shit.” She paused.
