Page 70 of Known By You
All things I’d thought I’d given up on having for myself outside of work, that maybe I thought no one had, and more than just Kenny possessed here.
Maybe it wasn’t impossible.
But could I have it? That was the question.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Kenny
Afew days later, I joined Jess and Beast at their house for breakfast before work. Beast grumbled as he moved around in the kitchen, and Jess gave me a look.
“Is he somehow even more irritable than usual right now?” I asked, marveling at the sounds coming from just a few feet away.
Jess winced. “I had a bad night, and he tends to be pretty grumpy when that happens. Something about worrying I’m wearing myself too thin, which is impossible, since all I do is sit around and try not to heave up my guts.”
Beast froze and turned slowly—terrifyingly, frankly. If I didn’t know the man, I’d be worried he’d been possessed or something.
“You are not sitting around. You’ve been working.” His dark eyes widened and his nostrilsflared.
My mouth dropped open. “Uh oh. Someone’s been sneaking in work? How dare you, Pop?”
She rolled her eyes and huffed, but a smile hid in her expression. “I dare because I am so. Bored. And I miss my job. I miss the office and being surrounded by all of you goons.”
I laughed, loving her orneriness. “You two are just twin beams of sunshine, aren’t you?”
Beast stomped over to the small table where we sat and slid a plate gently onto the placemat in front of Jess, then practically dumped one in front of me.
“Thank you, kind sir.” I inspected the omelet and toast in front of me. “This looks really good. Where’s my boy Bones? I need to pay him homage.” I hadn’t seen the giant, lovely beasty cat yet and part of me wanted to see if he could tell I was now a cat dad.
“Don’t want your Kit confused and smelling another cat on you this early, so he’s napping in the bedroom,” Beast said in a low tone.
Huh.Hadn’t even considered it, but I didn’t want my boy to get anxious over Bones’s existence.
A sharp movement from Jess’s direction pulled my attention, and I looked up to see her gaze directed away from her plate, neck craning.
“Uh…” I said inanely.
Beast’s large hand slipped into hers. “What do you need?”
“Just a sec,” she said, her voice strained. She drew in a breath slowly.
His shoulders slumped. “Believe it or not, this is an improvement.”
“I’m sorry. I should’ve had something sooner, but Iwanted to wait since Kenny was coming.” Her voice was a little watery.
My heart clutched. “Don’t apologize. I’m so happy to be here, even if you hurl your guts up.”
She laughed and reached for the toast on her plate, taking a bite as she pushed out of her seat. She set a hand on Beast’s shoulder. “I’m just going to take a breath outside. I’ll be fine.”
Her gaze cut to his and there was so much warmth and love and warning in there, I almost wanted to cry. These two were absolutely meant for each other, and I loved to see it.
The merciless ache in my chest was because of that, wasn’t it? Not for any other reason.
“She’s so stubborn,” Jude grumbled, but then his face softened and he added, “I love her so much.”
I propped my elbow on the table and my chin in my hand. “You guys are adorable.”
“We are.”
