Page 24 of North
“You’re laughing now but when something happens I don’t want to hear about how confused you are. I see it coming a mile away.” He finished hanging the lights and stepped down to admire his work.
“You’re fucking nuts, man. Let’s go look at this from the sidewalk,” I suggested, moving around the corner. The air outside had teeth and it wasn’t shy about ripping into me. I shrugged it off and stared at Elijah’s arrangements.
“It’s off-center,” I told him after a few seconds.
“Shit, you’re right. I’ll go inside and you tell me when it’s right.” When he walked into the gallery, I saw a flash of red hair beneath a green knit hat headed my way.
I knew it was North by the way she walked. Hands tucked in her coat pockets, eyebrows lowered, and eyes focused ahead. She was starting to pick up weight. I had a feeling it was a little more than the three pounds she boasted about. Her steps slowed when she noticed me outside the gallery.
I waved at her but she didn’t wave back. I dropped my hand to my side and turned my attention back to the window where Elijah was busy frowning at me. I chuckled and gave him a small shrug. How was I supposed to focus on placement when North stole my attention away like a thief?
“Looks better,” I called through the window. I gave him a thumbs up and he flipped me off so I shared the sentiment.
“Hey, Kane. Can we talk?” North’s voice was soft but I heard excitement bouncing around in her words.
“Yeah, let’s step inside. It’s cold as shit out here and I don’t have on a coat.” I held the door open for her and we walked in. Warm air greeted us and I was more than grateful.
“Hey, North. How’s it going?” Elijah tipped his head up and smiled at her before looking at me. I knew exactly what he was thinking. I needed to set boundaries.
A part of me didn’t want to set any boundaries. I liked the way North felt in my arms at night. I liked hearing her call me Kane instead of Dad. I liked being the one who put the light back in her denim-blue eyes.
“Hey, Elijah.” Her smile was the polite one she reserved for everyone who wasn’t me. I pulled the biggest brightest smiles from her.
“You uh, wanted to talk to me?” I quizzed. “We can take a walk and grab some breakfast. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“You wanna take the car or walk?” I was finding words to fill the awkward silence I knew would flood us if I didn’t say something.
“Car,” she said. “Elijah, you want anything?”
“Yeah, grab me a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich please. And some orange juice.”
I made a mental note of his order then grabbed my keys and headed for the car. I walked with my hand on the small of North’s back I looked for any reason to touch her. I was greedy when it came to her. I’d take her however I could get her. Sleeping beside me in bed or with my hand on the small of her back on the way to my truck.
“Hey, Kane!” A cheerful voice chirped. I turned around to see where it was coming from and Melanie appeared wearing a bright smile. North slowed down and groaned under her breath. It was short but I heard it. I had to fight off my laughter but it burned the corners of my lips.
“Hey, Melanie. Elijah’s in the shop if you want to say hi. I’m heading to grab breakfast with North. I’ll be right back.”
Her gray eyes moved around my face, taking in every freckle before she spoke. “Oh, I’ll come with you! It’s always better to have more hands.”
“Actually, Melanie, I wanted to talk to my dad.” North’s voice was calm but something about her energy burned bright, hot, and possessive.
“Got it. Father-daughter time. Okay, I guess I’ll hang out in the gallery until you guys get back. Oh, and Kane, I wanted to speak with you about something.”
“Sure thing, Melanie. We’ll talk when I get back.” I waved at her and opened the truck door for North. Once we were away from listening ears, she tossed her head back and sighed.
“She’s not even trying to hide the fact that she wants you. It’s disturbing at this point.”
“I told her we could be friends. Hopefully, she got the hint.”
“She didn’t get the hint. I’m telling you that now.”
I laughed at her certainty and pulled off. The small diner we were headed to was only a quick drive so North didn’t get to tell me what she wanted to talk to me about. She was tight-lipped when we ordered breakfast and coffee too.
I’d had enough of the silence by the time we got back to the truck. I wanted to hear what she had to say and I was dying to know if it had to do with last night. I refused to start the engine until she started talking.
“What’s up, Shortcake? You said you had something to talk about. So far, I haven’t heard any talking.”
