Page 36 of Keeping Kaitlyn

“Then I’m taking you home, Kait.” Like the matter is settled, Went turns to tug a fresh set of gloves from the dispenser mounted to the wall. “Turn around so I can clean up your shoulder.”

Giving him a quick head bob, I do as he says, turning myself away from him to sit cross-legged on the table. Gaze aimed at the empty waiting area, I half listen as Went goes over aftercare instructions while skimming a light coat of ointment over the tattoo before covering it with a small square of clear plastic wrap. “The wrap can come off tomorrow morning,” he tells me, giving my shoulder a final smooth before he drops his hands.

“Okay. Thanks.” Suddenly feeling awkward, I push myself across the table to the other side. Unfolding my legs, I let themdrop over the edge so I can stand. Making my way to the wall of mirrors in front of me, I angle my shoulder so I can get a good look at Went’s work—a dragonfly, just like I asked for. If at all possible, it’s even more beautiful than the one he drew for me six years ago. Lifting my gaze, I find him watching me from the other side of the table.

“It’s beautiful.” I offer him a small smile. “Thank you.”

He makes another one of those deep sounds in the back of his throat. “You’re welcome,” he says, turning away from me completely. “Let me clean up my equipment and then we’ll go.”

Even though he can’t see me, I answer with a nod before moving past the counter and into the waiting area while he cleans up the mess that giving me a tattoo made. Wandering from drawing to drawing, I look at myself. See myself standing on the front porch at Northpoint. Sitting on the dock that juts out into the lake. Studying at the kitchen island. Making brown butter blondies in my underwear. My face hidden in all of them.

Stopping in front of a drawing of me and Two-tone in the corral behind the house, I feel my throat tighten at how beautiful he is. How perfectly Went captured every single detail, down to the swirl of cowlicks on his neck to the fly, perching on the tip of his ear.

“Ready?” Went says behind me, standing so close I can smell the disinfectant he used to scrub his hands and clean his equipment.

“Yes.” I nod for good measure but don’t move. “I miss him.”

Behind me, Went shifts on his feet with a sigh. “Whichhimis that, Sunshine—you left behind more than one.”

He’s right. I did.

Brock.

My father.

Damien.

My brother’s ghost.

I left Went behind too, and the man I found in his place hates me, just as much as he wants me. Even though it breaks my heart, it’s nothing less than I deserve.

“My horse. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him. I almost forgot what he looks like.” Turning away from the drawing, I offer him a faint smile. “I hope someone’s riding him.”

Went makes that sound again but this time it’s softer. Almost apologetic. Taking a step back, he clears his throat. “It’s late—let’s get you home.

The driveback to the center is quiet, neither of us quite sure how to navigate the terms of our truce without bumping into each other and making a mess.

When he pulls into the parking lot, Went parks and shuts off the engine. Before I can ask what he’s doing, he pulls my cellphone from his back pocket and offers it to me.

“I’m going to open your door for you and then I’m going to walk you to your apartment.” When I open my mouth to tell him that it’s not necessary, he shuts me up with a hard look. “It’s what I’d do for a woman I was interested in—anywoman who wasn’t your neighbor, actually—and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Con ran the security footage back to make sure I was on my best behavior.” He lets out a scoff and shakes his head. “Fuck—I wouldn’t be surprised if he was watching us, right now.”

“Okay.” I nod. “You’re right. If we’re going to pretend to be…” Running out of steam, I look away, aiming my gaze at the hands I have folded in my lap. “I’ll wait here for you to open my door.”

Instead of answering me, Went just climbs out of the driver seat and slams the car door between us. A few seconds later,mine opens and a large, tattooed hand appears in front of me, a silent offer to help me out of the car. Even though Went’s been touching me, practically non-stop, for the last few hours, I feel my heart bounce itself into my throat when I see it. Can’t seem to make myself take it.

“Kait.” Went says my name quietly, a reminder that Conner Gilroy never sleeps and he’s unapologetically nosy. He was undoubtedly awake when Henley came home and since Tess is as delicate as an F-5 tornado, she knows all about Tess’s plan to get Went and I together. That means Conner knows too. That him watching us right now is a forgone conclusion.

Nodding, I pull a hand from my lap and slip it into his before lifting my gaze to his while my stupid heart tries to wedge itself between my tonsils because no matter how many times I look at him, I’ll never get used to how beautiful Went is. How nervous and out of sorts he makes me feel.

He hates you. Doesn’t trust you—and he has good reason for both. Remember that.

As soon as I’m on my feet, Went closes the car door behind me and lets go of my hand so I can lead the way across the parking lot while he follows closely behind. At the back door, I fish my keys from my purse while he stands over me, so tall and wide that he blocks out the security light Patrick had installed last year, after Ryan’s father came looking for him with a guy almost as big as Declan and who looked like breaking legs was his full-time job. Turns out, he’s a friend of Maeve’s and from what Henley says, a pretty decent guy.

Leaning into me, Went presses his hand against the small of my back. “Something wrong?”

Yes.

When you touch me, my heart beats so fast, I see spots.

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