Chapter Twenty
“My condolences for your loss, Mrs. Westport.”
Kenzi accepted the hug from Guy’s wife. “Thank you, Emma.” Emma’s soft, floral perfume tickled Kenzi’s nose, and she fought back a sneeze.
Emma rubbed Kenzi’s upper arms briskly, the stacks of bracelets on her left arm clinking loudly. “You’re freezing.”
Emma didn’t dare look at Nash. Perhaps talking about the kiss wasn’t the best idea, but she couldn’t stand the way he avoided her. At least now he was standing slightly behind her. Though the way his eyes had closed off when he got out of the car, he might as well be back in the basement of the barn. “The air conditioner was on full blast in the car. I should be fine in a moment.”
“Hello, Guy.”
“Kenzi. Nash.” Guy shook both of their hands. They exchanged pleasantries and then were settled at a table in the back of the restaurant, where the candles burned low and the noise from other diners was at a minimum.
Kenzi glanced around to see couple after couple, their hands clasped across the table, gazing into one another’s eyes. Her body hummed with yearning to be a half of one of those couples. She’d thought she and Clyde were connected on the level of adoration displayed around her, only to find out that he adored pretty much anything with long hair and long legs—she wasn’t anything special. That understanding had dealt her a blow that left a long-standing bruise on her heart and her self-image. What she’d seen in Nash’s eyes, right before he kissed her, had gone a long way to dispelling the belief that she was below average.
Not that she needed a man’s opinion to validate her worth. She knew she was smart and capable of running a company. But there was this other need inside of her to feel special to someone—to find the other half of her soul and to be the other half of someone else’s soul. Maybe it wasn’t healthy, but then again, maybe it was healthy to want to be part of a couple. To want to care about someone else’s needs and not become wrapped up in herself. Then again, how would she know?
They gave their drink orders to the server, and Kenzi asked about Guy and Emma’s children.
“Tyson is doing well. He’s playing in the minors now.” Emma glowed with the report on their oldest son. She’d spent years shuttling him to games, tournaments, scouting events, and practices. With as much work as she put into Tyson’s career, she should make major-league salary. “He’ll probably spend a few years there and hopefully be called up to the traveling team.”
Nash nodded appreciatively.
Guy grumbled, tearing a breadstick in half.
“You’re not excited?” Kenzi asked him. She glanced at Nash to see a line appear between his eyebrows.
“One more year he’ll be living at home in the off-season. They pay crap and he can’t keep a job because of the schedule.” He tore off a piece of bread and chewed vigorously.
Emma patted his shoulder. “Don’t mind him. Not everyone is cut from corporate cloth.” She nodded towards Nash. “Not like this guy. Kenzi, where did you find your sweetheart, and can you find one for my daughter?”
Kenzi choked on a sip of water. Her eyes filled with tears as she gasped for breath. Nash banged between her shoulder blades with the heel of his hand, and her throat cleared.
“My goodness, are you okay?” Emma fanned Kenzi’s red face with her hand.
“I’m fine.” Kenzi took a careful sip of water and cleared her throat. “Really.”
Emma cast her one more concerned look. The server appeared to take their order, saving Kenzi from having to explain how she met Nash and handing out Aunt Pamela’s business card. Not that she would have revealed the true nature of their relationship to these two—especially since she needed Guy to think she was a nice, stable, married woman who was ready to settle into life as CEO.
Their food arrived quickly and they caught up on the Tratto family. Kenzi was almost done with her braised chicken when Guy threw his napkin on his empty plate and said, “Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.”
Nash’s eyebrows climbed his forehead. “Excuse me?”
Guy chuckled. “Raquel took us to lunch on Tuesday.”
Emma giggled. “Such a sweet girl, but she can talk about herself all day long.”
Kenzi smiled easily. “She has a gift.”
Guy grunted. “I’m guessing you want to know which direction I’m leaning.”
Nash squeezed her knee under the table. Kenzi did her best to ignore the rush of feel-good through her system. He shouldn’t touch her if he wanted her to think clearly. However, she had been the one to say a kiss was just a kiss. For a nanosecond, she wondered what he would have done if she’d said a kiss was more than a kiss. “That would be helpful.” Kenzi dotted her napkin against the corners of her mouth.
“Well,” Guy began, “on the one hand, you’ve had more work experience outside of the company and the most time spent in the office over your lifespan.”
Kenzi smiled. “My first lessons on how to run Hazel’s were in high school.”
“That’s right!” Emma jumped in. “You did that internship through that fancy private school you all went to.”
