“I missed you!”
“I missed you too,” he said, squeezing her tight. “Come on. I’ll make you something with whipped cream.”
“I heard Nolan telling Daddy that you work here now,” she told him as he took her hand, pulling her inside. Kai wasn’t surprised that Nolan had told Chris. He was pretty sure that he didn’t want to know Chris’ reaction to the whole Liam situation.
Felicity and Priya eyed Katie curiously, their eyes descending on their linked hands simultaneously.
“Guys, this is my friend, Katie,” he said, circling the counter while Priya and Felicity introduced themselves.
“Hisbestfriend,” Katie clarified, shaking their hands formally. “I’m going to be his maid of honour one day.”
“I don’t think that was decided,” Kai interrupted as he punched in a mocha frappé and paid for it with his tips.
“And then I’ll be his favourite sister-in-law,” Katie continued, ignoring him.
Kai blushed, pleased and amused but kind of nervous about jinxing anything before Kai and Nolan were even officially back together.
“Maybe we cannottalk about my hypothetical marriage?”
Priya scoffed. “Whatever. Nolan is going to wife you so hard. You should have seen them not even an hour ago.”
Katie’s eyes went wide. “Oooh, tell me,” she breathed excitedly. Okay, maybe introducing them had been a bad idea, but Kai had a hard time regretting it when Katie seemed to hit off with his work friends easily.
He led Katie over to the bar adjacent to the counter and slid her frap with extra whip and chocolate sauce across it. Katie moaned gratuitously when she took the first sip. “That’s so good. I might even forgive you for not calling.”
“You’re gonna forgive me. I’m your best friend, remember?”
“I don’t think I like it when you use that against me.”
“Cope. So? Catch me up,” he told her, which was all the incentive she needed to launch into all of her lore from the last month while Kai worked.
When he was busy, she chatted with Felicity, Priya and Abigail, who had come out to meet her. She even took a couple of pictures that Kai was sure were going to show up on social media later, and he had to warn Abigail to prepare for the influx that Katie’s extensive social media presence would bring.
Before he knew it, Myles was striding into the cafe, looking elegant as always in a sharp black suit. Katie swiveled away with a little “oop,” putting her hand up like she was trying to hide.
“You can hide if you want to, young lady, but your Daddy already said you’re in trouble for eavesdropping,” Myles told her.
Kai barely had time to worry about how Myles might feel about him now when Myles reached across the counter to bro hug Kai.
“It’s good to see you, man,” he said, clapping him on the back.
“Same. I’m done. I just have to grab my stuff.”
“I shouldn’t be in trouble. They shouldn’t keep secrets,” Katie groused. “Especially aboutmyfriend.”
“You can take it up with him when I drop you home.”
“What are you guys going to do? I want to come,” Katie asked as they left the cafe together.
“Not today, angel.”
Katie made an affronted sound. “Why not?”
“Because you’re not allowed. It’s private,” Myles told her, opening the back door for her on his Lexus.
“Kai’s just going to tell me anyway,” she told him stubbornly.
“That’s Kai’s business. Right now, you’re going home. In the car, please.” Katie made a sound of disapproval but did as she was told. Myles nodded towards the passenger seat, slipping on his sunglasses, and Kai got in without argument.
