He thrust his hands into his front pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels, eyes trained on her face. The sun glinted off his hair, setting the coppery highlightsablaze. He hadn’t shaved this morning, and he looked sexy and disheveled in those snug jeans and another one of those vintage T-shirts he liked. This one featuring thePeanutsgang.
“You’re right.” His voice was curt. “I’ll leave you to it then.”
He whirled and effortlessly jogged the three steps down the porch to the car thirty seconds later. Another thirty after that he’d deposited her bag at her feet.
“Take care, Kenna,” he muttered. Now he seemed to be the one avoidinghereyes.
“Thank you, Smith. Goodbye.” She inserted a chilly finality into the word.
His Adam’s apple bobbed and he opened his mouth as if to say something, but then seemed to change his mind and shook his head impatiently.
He ducked his head and palmed his nape before nodding.
“Bye.”
And with that, he was gone.
Tina and Kenny stood in awkward silence for a moment after the Land Rover sped away.
“I do think you’ll need help cleaning this place up, Kenny,” Tina said after a beat.
“I’ll take my time. I’m sure I’ll manage.”
“Look, I have to get to work. Why don’t you come with me? I have a meeting. You can have some breakfast and after I’m done, we can call the landlord to finalize your short-term lease and discuss your options.”
Tina owned the local eatery in town. Kenny had never been to the place, but apparently it was very good.
“No, I don’t want to impose.”
Tina canted her head and assessed her keenly. “You’re not very good at accepting help, are you?”
“My biggest flaw,” Kenny admitted with an abashed little shrug. Tina grinned at her candor.
“It’s not an imposition at all, Kenny,” the woman said. “Please let me help you.”
Kenny hesitated. What else did she have to do? Nothing. Despite her bravado and assurances to both Smith and Tina, the prospect of cleaning this place—especially with an injured foot—was daunting. She’d also need to order the cleaning supplies before she could get started anyway.
“Smith won’t like it.”
“Smith doesn’t get to dictate my—oryour—friendships.”
“I’m trying to be fair, Tina,” Kenny whispered, her voice heavy with regret. “Trying to respect his wishes and his space. It’s bad enough I’ve come here and that I’m staying despite the fact that he’s clearly unhappy about it.”
Tina nodded, her green eyes—so similar to Smith’s—brimming with sympathy.
“I understand,” she said, then reached out to squeeze Kenny’s hand. “I’m just a phone call or text message away. The landlord, Mr. Dickens, will forward the lease agreement to you later. I’ll text a list of cleaning companies and delivery services. Our local grocery store delivers as well.”
“Thank you.”
Tina sucked her lower lip into her mouth as she stared at Kenny in concern.
“You sure you’ll be okay?” Her eyes drifted to the walking cast.
“Yes.”
“Don’t overdo it, okay?”
“I won’t.” Her hand tightened around Tina’s for a moment before releasing the other woman. “Tina, thank you. I know we haven’t been on the friendliest of terms…and I know that it’s my fault. So it means a lot that you’re willing to help me.”
