I swallow. “Yeah. I was actually just having lunch with your brother.”
Harlow’s voice turns quieter. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your time with Kai.”
I huff a laugh, low. “I wanted you to.”
“Oops,” she whispers, but I can hear the smile in it.
I lean my forehead against the cold brick outside the café, eyes closing.
“What are you up to?” I ask softly.
Harlow’s breath shifts on the other end of the line. “Oh, uh, nothing. I just wanted to talk to you.”
Something so simple, yet it brings a stupid grin to my face again.
“You want me to come by your dorm in a bit?”
“Yes,” she says immediately. Then quieter, “If you want to.”
“I want to,” I answer.
Harlow exhales, “Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon, gorgeous. Bye.”
I hang up and just stand there for a second, breathing through the warmth in my chest. Then I go back inside, and Kai looks up as I sit down. His gaze is curious and a bit too perceptive.
“What?” I say, defensive on instinct.
Kai’s mouth twitches. “Nothing.”
I narrow my eyes. “That was not nothing.”
Kai takes a slow sip of his drink and finally says, quiet and dry, “She’s got you whipped as shit.”
My face goes hot.
I glare. “Eat your sandwich.”
“I already finished.” Kai huffs a laugh. “Good luck, Bennett.”
I pick up my drink, trying to act like my entire nervous system isn’t buzzing.
“Yeah,” I mutter. “Thanks.” But as I stand to leave, grabbing my bag, I meet Kai’s eyes. The joking fades a fraction.
I say quietly, “I meant what I said about Rushton.”
Kai holds my gaze for a long beat, then he nods once.
“Yeah,” he says. “I know. We’ll be ready for them, though, especially him.”
I leave the café with my chest tight and my head loud and one clear thing burning under it all?—
Tuesday is going to be interesting, but tonight, I get to see her.
36
HARLOW
