Page 15 of Beautifully Broken Control

“Kenz, I’m getting us wine.” Jensen lifted up a bottle. “White okay?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Taylor reached out a hand, pulling me to her for a hug. “Hey, girlie.”

“Hey, Tay. How are plans for the engagement party going?”

She grinned up at me as I hopped onto a stool. “I think we’re pretty much done. We’re going casual and plan to have it right in the backyard.” She inclined her head towards the outside.

I took the glass of wine that Jensen handed me. “That sounds perfect.”

Irma peeked out from around Taylor, the lines on her face deepening as a mischievous smile spread. “What I can’t wait for is the bachelorette party. I’m calling it now. I’m in charge of the strippers!”

“Grams,” Jensen chided, but she couldn’t hold in her laughter.

I took a sip of the crisp, white wine. “If Irma’s in charge, we better all start saving for bail money.”

Taylor eyed her fiancé in the living room. “I think I’ve got us covered in that department.”

I chuckled. “Perks of marrying a cop.”

The doorbell rang, and Sarah straightened, wiping her hands on her apron. “Oh, good, that must be Cain.” Her smile was huge. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen my boy.”

I looked at Jensen as Sarah headed to the door. “Does she adopt everyone who comes her way?”

Jensen set her wine glass down on the counter. “Pretty much.”

Taylor’s gaze followed Sarah before she glanced back to J. “So, what’s this guy’s story? I haven’t heard much from Walker. All I know is that he, Tuck, and Cain went to college together and that they’re close.”

Something unidentifiable flickered across Jensen’s face before her features smoothed out. “He’s a real good guy. He comes across a bit distant at times, but he’s got a great heart. You’ll like him.”

Taylor set down her wine, as well. “Well, he found Tessa when she was kidnapped, so he’s already on my list of favorite people.”

Tessa was one of the girls I knew the least. She had been gone almost the entire time I’d lived in Sutter Lake, accompanying her boyfriend on a US tour for his latest album. But I knew from just a few encounters she was really kind. I eyed J. “How did he find her?”

There was a sparkle in Jensen’s eyes. “Didn’t I tell you? He’s kind of a crazy hacker. He can dig up anything on anyone.”

My stomach twisted.He could find out anything about anyone.I let out a breath, giving my head a little shake. So what if he could. There was nothing for him to discover about me, even if he was interested enough to look. Kennedy Charles was a blank slate, an empty canvas. One of these days, I’d start filling it in.

Irma shot to her feet. “Quick, someone call 9-1-1. I’m going into cardiac arrest with all this hotness.”

Jensen let out a snort of laughter, smacking her grandmother’s arm. “You’re incorrigible.”

“I know a fine man-meat sandwich when I see it.”

I looked up to see Walker, Tuck, and a man who had to be Cain in a huddle of hugs and back slaps. As the dark-haired man pulled out of Tuck’s hold, I sucked in a sharp breath. And then I couldn’t seem to take in any air at all.

Cain was tall, with broad shoulders encased in what could only be a custom-made button-down that skimmed his muscular chest and arms before tucking into dark-wash jeans that hugged his hips perfectly. But it was his face that held me captive. No, his eyes. They were a shade of blue I’d never seen on a human being. So dark, you might think they were brown. And they were locked on me.

My fingers began to tingle, and I realized that I hadn’t taken another breath. I forced my gaze away, taking in air and grinning at my shoes. Apparently, Irma wasn’t the only one affected by the hotness in the room.Get a grip, Kenz.

Taylor let out a low whistle next to me. “That man is something.”

Jensen laughed. “Yeah, I called the three of them the trio of terror when they were in college.”

“I bet.” Taylor took a sip of wine. “I’m looking forward to summer when they’re all shirtless at the lake.”

Jensen wadded up her napkin and threw it at Taylor. “Gross. One of those guys is my brother.”

---