“Why didn’t you say something? They have wine here, too. Do you like wine?”
Kiki waves her hand, dismissing my question. “Don’t trouble yourself. This,” she hefts the mug, “is fine. Honestly, I really appreciate you letting me join the two of you.”
“Call me crazy, but I’d like you to actually enjoy the venture and not just tolerate it—or us.” I flag Rachel to the table and motion toward Kiki. “Can you bring her a glass of wine, please?”
“Of course. What would you like?”
Kiki hesitates, no doubt hating the attention. Too bad. She’s going to have a bit of fun tonight if it’s the last thing I do. “Um… a glass of merlot would be great.”
“Coming right up.”
Kiki’s eyes trail Rachel as she heads toward the bar. “You didn’t have to do that. The beer was fine.”
“Itisfine. For me. I like beer.” I grab her untouched mug and slide it next to mine. “And now, I have a refill ready.”
“You’re a silver-lining kind of guy, aren’t you?” A slight sparkle dances in Kiki’s eyes.
Maybe she’s happy she’s getting a drink she actually enjoys.
Or maybe it’s because our server didn’t bat an eye when Kiki sat down. Not a glare or underhanded comment in sight.
That’s an added benefit of taking our maiden voyage into the adjoining county. In Sparkwood, everyone knows her face, and everyone has an opinion. That became clear at the ballpark earlier today.
Although Drake’s case is national news, the arrest was a couple of months ago, and let’s get real—most folks today have the attention span of a flea.
People in the rest of the state aren’t waiting with bated breath for Kiki to appear, just so they can toss out a well-aimed insult.
Kiki needs a little anonymity right now, and that’s what I’m trying to provide.
I grab a garlic knot, shaking a bit of the oil back onto the plate before popping it into my mouth. “Please tell me you eat garlic knots, at least. Otherwise, I’m not sure we can be friends anymore.”
Of course, it’s a joke, and for the first time since I’ve known Kiki, she gifts me with a genuine smile, complete with a dimple cutting across one cheek.
For a split second, I see her radiance simmering beneath the surface, and know immediately I’ll do just about anything to coax it out of her a million more times.
“I’ll admit that I spent a lot of years subsisting on lettuce and prayers, but I’d bet money the world is a happier placewhen garlic knots are involved.” A low moan escapes her lips as her teeth sink into the doughy goodness. “Mmm, I was right. Life is much better this way.”
“Yummy,” Theo concurs, his fingers and mouth covered in parmesan and garlic.
Another brilliant smile flashes across Kiki’s face. “So good, right?”
Our server brings over the glass of wine, setting it down with a flourish.
This time, there’s no hesitation as Kiki lifts the wine to her lips.
I cock a brow at her. “Better?”
“Much. Thank you… for all of this.”
I lean forward, resting my forearms on the table. “You’re going to make it up to me.”
Her eyes widen at my statement. “How so?”
“Tell me about yourself.”
She shakes her head, the all-too-familiar unease creeping back into her being. “Trust me, there’s not much to tell.”
“We both know that isn’t true. In fact, let’s go around the table. Each of us is going to share something.”
