Page 66 of Hushed

“I experimented with three or four things the other night when I couldn’t sleep. Just give me your gut reactions to them, and we can go from there.”

Austin loved something about each of her designs, and Kenzie found a way to put most of those elements into a new rough draft design the attorney squealed over. “I can’t wait to show the other partners in the firm. They’re going to love this.”

“It’s definitely going to be the coolest logo for a law firm anyone has ever seen.”

“You’re really talented, Kenzie. Where did you learn to do all that?”

She shrugged. “I hated school, but I loved computer class. The teacher I had in high school let us do whatever we wanted as long as we explained how it related back to the lesson we were on that week. The work relaxes me and challenges me at the same time. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. I mean, there are a lot of wrong ways to do graphic design, but for the most part, as long as the final product looks good, there’s no right way. And I’m not required to show my work.” She shuddered at the memory of all the math tests she failed because even though she got to the right answer, she didn’t show how she got there.

“That makes sense. I thought I heard you tell someone at breakfast yesterday that you have ADHD?”

Kenzie nodded. “Yeah, but it was a late diagnosis. Gage is actually the one who encouraged me to pursue it. Just knowing I have it has been a game changer. And then I tried medication, and I was blown away. I literally cried the first time I took it because of what a difference it made.”

Austin gave her a wide smile. “That’s so cool. I’m glad Gage encouraged you. He’s such a giving man. Always there for his friends, and he really cares about this community.”

Kenzie looked out the window. “Yeah. That’s Gage. I worry he doesn’t put himself first often enough.”

“It’s not in his nature, but I get what you’re saying. He needs to take time for himself.”

“Do you think he’s OK?”

Austin leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “I’m sure he is. But that doesn’t do anything for your worry. You should talk to Erin Green-Carter when you visit Solitaire again. She wasn’t there this weekend because she had to work, but her husband used to be black ops. Now he runs an investment firm in D.C.”

“Do they go to Exposure?”

Austin picked up her water and sipped. “From time to time. But usually, they’re at Solitaire. Samuel—her husband—was one of the founding board members.”

“It’s hard not to worry. I already lost my brother. Losing Gage would be too much to handle. He’s the only reason I survived Reggie’s death. But he tells me he’s all in even though we just started dating… or whatever this is we’re doing. And he wants to know that I am, too.”

Austin frowned. “He’s not trying to pressure you into more of a commitment than you’re ready for, is he?”

Kenzie laughed. “No. He’s being really great about making sure I understand that’s not what he’s saying. He wants meto be aware of his intentions and wants reassurance that mine are similar even if it takes a while for us to get to the level of commitment he wants.”

“That’s good. If it matters, the two of you seem really great together.”

“Thanks. And thank you for answering all my questions the other night. It helped me to figure out how to discuss things with Gage when we started talking about kink. We’re trying to do some power exchange, and so far, I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would. It’s… grounding. I’m curious to see what my therapist will think when I tell her about it next time we talk.”

“Is your therapist kink friendly?”

“She is. I’ve talked to her about kink and Gage before, so she knows the situation.”

The two women talked the rest of the flight, and Patrick stayed on the phone in the back until it was almost time to land.

When they were on the ground, he ushered them to a limo, insisting on taking Kenzie home.

“Thank you so much for dropping me off. You really didn’t have to.”

Patrick laughed. “Yes, we did. You’re part of the family now. We take care of our family. Call us if you need anything and can’t get a hold of Gage, understood?”

She gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek before she climbed out of the back of their limo and poked her head back inside. “Don’t have too much fun on the way home.”

Austin laughed. “There’s no such thing. Good night, Kenzie. We’ll see you soon.”

She walked into her apartment, and the doorman stopped her. “Good evening Ms. Reginald. You have a package at the front desk.”

She frowned. “Why isn’t it in the parcel locker?”

“It was hand delivered; it didn’t come via the mail.”

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