Page 38 of From the Start
“Got you to smile, though, didn’t I?”
I realize I am indeed smiling and scowl. “Whatever.” I snag the mug from him. “Huh. This isn’t bad.”
“Unless I poisoned you.”
“What?” I nearly spit out my coffee until I realize Kai’s laughing. “Can you ever be serious?”
“Yes.” He nods. “Let’s get serious. You need help.”
“Help? What do you mean?” I know exactly what he means, but my mind is too tired to think of another way to delay this conversation.
Kai motions down the hallway. “Your dad can’t get around on his own until his cast is off and his arm and shoulder are healed.”
“I know.”
“How are you going to manage the bar and be here for your dad?”
I bristle. This is my problem to solve. Not his. “I’ll figure something out. The neighbors usually pitch in to help.”
“You should hire a caretaker.”
I glare at him. “I’m not hiring a caretaker. Dad took care of Mom when she was sick. I can care for him.”
“It’s sweet you want to handle this on your own, but you don’t have to.”
Yes, I do. I can’t afford to hire a caretaker. I’m barely managing to pay my bills as it is.
“This isn’t any of your business.”
“You’re my friend, Harper. I care about you. I don’t enjoy seeing you struggle.”
I ignore how warm and fuzzy the words ‘I care about you’ make me feel. It’s been too long since anyone said they cared about me. I can’t allow myself to be distracted. I won’t allow myself to be intimidated. I’ve got this.
“I’m not struggling. I’m managing.”
“No. Youweremanaging. Your dad’s accident is not a little bump in the road. With both of his arms compromised, he can no longer cook, dress, or do any of the day-to-day tasks he used to handle.”
“What do you know about it?”
“I have five brothers who think daring each other is a sign of love. I can’t count the number of broken bones we’ve suffered. And when someone broke an arm or a leg, we stepped in to help each other. This is what families do.”
Nice for him. I don’t have any family besides Dad. It’s just the two of us.
“Which is what I’m doing. I’m helping my dad.”
He blows out a breath. “You also need help.”
I stand and walk to the door. “Thank you for your help today, but I’ve got it from here.” When he doesn’t move, I open the door.
“Stubborn woman,” he mutters before standing and marching to me. “Know this, Harper, I am not done with this conversation.”
“Too bad. I am.”
He scowls before kissing my hair and leaving.
I shut the door behind him and sink to the floor. What am I going to do? How am I going to manage the bar and take care of Dad?
Kai wants to help.
