Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 104869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
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 regrets or self-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 had that been? Touching her? Practically holding her hand?
Bad decision.
Allowing this vulnerable, painfully earnest and honest version of Kenna past his defenses would not end 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-deception at this point.
And now they’d come up with this crazy plan to communicate?
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. Libby wouldn’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.
Tina snuck a quick look at him and shook her head.
“No, thank you. Just stopping by to say hi. I have a meeting with one of our vendors in ten minutes. I just wanted to ask you, Kenny, if you’d like to join me and some friends tonight? Ralphie’s hosts a ladies’ night on Thursdays—Cocktails and Karaoke. We basically go out, get wasted, and sing our little hearts out. It’s great fun.”
Sing? At the pub in town?
Smith couldn’t picture Kenna singing. He’d never even heard her hum. Her face clouded and he knew she was about to disappoint his hopeful sister. But Tina should have known better than to put Kenna on the spot like this.
“I’m not a very good singer,” Kenna said, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Tina laughed and made a dismissive gesture with her hand.
“None of us are. And trust me, you can’t be as bad as my friend, Charity. The woman is amazing and talented in so many ways, but she regularly and readily admits to being ‘vocally challenged.’ And always insists on going last because—as she puts it—her voice will clear the room.”
Kenna laughed along with Tina, but she had a panicked, slightly trapped look in her eyes.
“It’s not so much the singing as the, um, performative aspect. Public performative aspect.”
Tina grinned.
“Ah, you mean singing in front of strangers? A few cocktails and you won’t even think about it.”
“Tina.” Smith inserted a note of warning into his voice. He didn’t want her pressuring Kenna into this.
Tina seemed to understand, and immediately backed down.
“I’m sorry, I’m the last one to force someone to do something so very public. I was scared shitless the first time I got up there. But I’ve discovered that nobody really pays attention to us.” She cleared her throat and her smile went even warmer. “Anyway, you really don’t have to sing, Kenny, but it would be lovely if you joined us anyway.”
Kenna slanted a furtive peek at him, her eyes troubled and unreadable. Maybe she wanted his help in dissuading Tina?
“Tina,” he began. “Kenna doesn’t usually…”
“I’d love to.” Her voice cut across his and he fixed his bemused gaze on her face.
What?
He assumed he misheard, but Tina’s excited reaction dispelled that notion.
“Fabulous! I’ll pick you up at six-thirty.”
“Don’t you have to work tonight?” Smith asked his sister, not sure how he felt about this new development. With the impending divorce, he’d been fine with his family and his wife not getting along.