Amelia stares through the oven window as if that will somehow make dinner come faster. Bug and Christian share a few laughs over the making of the salad. And Kenna is staring at her phone, looking at it as if she just got the news that someone died.
“Everything okay?” I ask in a whisper.
She swallows again. But this swallow is completely different from the last one. This one came from a place of shock, apprehension, or maybe even fear. I have to keep myself from swiping her phone and reading the texts. Who are they from? What do they say?
She shakes her head, puts her phone upside down on the table, and walks over to the cabinets, getting out plates to set the table.
Her entire demeanor has changed. A minute ago we were having this fun and flirty evening. Now she looks like she’d rather be anywhere but here. It makes me want to fucking thump whoever sent the texts and ruined our amazing night. More than that, though, it makes me want to take her in my arms and protect her from whatever is out there.
Sadly, I never get the chance to do either.
Later in bed, I can’t sleep. All I can do is think of the mercurial woman living under my feet, wondering how it’s even possible that she’s wormed her way so completely into my life and my heart in six short days. Somehow knowing my life won’t be the same when she and her daughter are no longer in it.
Chapter Fifteen
Kenna
Eighteen months ago…
I watch an unfamiliar, very attractive and well-dressed man exit Cyrus’s office. He catches my eye and smiles, lifting his chin in greeting as he passes me.
“Who was that man?” I ask when Cyrus comes out front.
“Nobody.”
I glance at the calendar on my computer which shows no client meetings until after noon today. “I didn’t know you had an appointment this morning.”
“It’s not your concern,” he says, his voice dismissive.
“Is he a new client? Should I start a file?”
“Kenna,” Cyrus snaps. “I said drop it.”
Something is wrong. Gone is the funny, caring man I married eight months ago. He’s been increasingly short with me and Amelia. On edge. It makes me wonder if business isn’t doing well. I don’t have access to the books. I’m just his receptionist.
My husband is nothing if not a proud man. He’d never admit it if business was bad. And I’m not sure that’s what it is. There’s definitely been no shortage of men streaming in and out of the office, all wanting Cyrus to represent them in their divorces.
But he’s definitely hiding something.
I stare at him as he stops in the hallway and talks with Jude Farlow—Cyrus’s paralegal, and the only other employee besides me. Cyrus rubs his eyes, which I just now realize are harboring dark circles.
Oh my gosh, is he sick? Was that man a doctor, here to deliver bad news? Would Cyrus keep something like that from me?
Jude retreats to his office without a glance in my direction, but Cyrus sees me watching and walks over, looking guilty. “I’m sorry I snapped at you, babe. Just having a bad day.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Now why would I want to do that? I told you, it’s nothing for you to worry your pretty little head over.” He leans down and kisses my forehead. “How about you run downstairs and get us some coffee and bagels?”
“Sure.” I stand and start to turn toward the door, then feel all kinds of awkward. “But, um… my account is nearly overdrawn until payday.”
He nods to the bottom desk drawer. “Take it out of petty cash.”
I sigh. “Cyrus, there isn’t any more petty cash. You took the last of it a few days ago, remember?”
He shakes his head, seeming disgusted for a moment before he gets out his wallet and gives me a twenty-dollar bill. “Get regular cream cheese, not that light shit.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
