Another reassuring stroke of that sensitive finger along the slim column of hers and
Kenny stared at their interlinked fingers. His skin was burnished by the sun, offering a stark contrast to the paleness of hers. She blinked back the hot moisture that suddenly burned at the back of her eyes, and made a soft, self-conscious sound.
“So if not smoke signals or Morse code, I’m assuming you mean texts?” His raspy voice broke the silence before it became too awkward.
“Yes, of course.” Emotions back under firm control but lurking just below the surface, Kenny braved a glance up into his eyes.
They were dark, stormy, but not hostile. Rather, he looked as conflicted as she felt. But for the first time since her arrival there was no rejection or anger lurking in those beautiful depths and Kenny ventured the tiniest of smiles. The upward tug at the corners of her mouth made her realize how long it had been since she’d truly smiled.
And she recognized that despite his turbulent reaction to having her here, he’d still smiled more than she’d done sinceher unannounced and unwelcome reappearance back into his life.
That said a lot about the type of person he was. It also revealed the glaring deficits in her own personality.
But she wasn’t going to think about that right now. Because that would be wallowing. And she wasn’t about to break her own no-wallowing rule mere minutes after making it.
No wallowing in regretsorself-pity.
That could come later. Back in her real life.
Right now there was only this moment.
And this man. Who, against all odds, was touching her and staring at her with the faintest spark of warmth in his eyes.
And that, she decided, was enough for now.
“I heard you were here.”
Kenna jumped and snatched her hand away from Smith’s as Tina—her round face wreathed in smiles—came up to their table.
Smith loved his sister, but her timing right now left a lot to be desired.
Or perhaps her timing was perfect, because what even the fuck hadthatbeen? Touching her? Practically holding her hand?
Bad decision.
Allowing this vulnerable, painfully earnest and honest version of Kenna past his defenses wouldnotend well for him.
He’d sat down at her table against his better judgment. Told himself that the restaurant was full and that it made no sense to take up two tables. He’d almost convinced himself that he was helping Tina by freeing up a table, which would earn her some extra revenue.
He could teach a masterclass on self-deceptionat this point.
And now they’d come up with this crazy plan tocommunicate?
Every day.
Fucking fantastic.
Talk about your too little coming too late.
“Oh.” Tina’s eyes were on their plates and her smile fell. “You barely touched your food. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, of course,” Kenna hastened to assure his sister. So concerned with sparing Tina’s feelings. “We were just discussing some things and got distracted. I’m sorry, we didn’t do this magnificent food justice at all.”
“You’re lucky Libby is off today,” Tina said with a laugh. “Her under chef, Agnes, is a lot less temperamental and won’t be as offended to see barely touched plates returned to the kitchen.Libbywouldn’t think twice about marching out here and demanding to know why you wasted her time and resources.”
Smith impatiently wondered what they were supposed to say in response to that inane snippet, but Kenna, who looked fully engaged in the exchange with his sister, laughed. One of those rare, delightful sounds of genuine amusement. He couldn’t help but resent the fact that it was Tina who’d coaxed the sound from her with such a ridiculous comment.
“Are you joining us?” Kenna asked, her beautiful eyes still brimming with warmth.
