Page 80 of Fraud
“THAT WAS WEIRD,”BRIAN SAIDthe instant after Killian walked away.
My eyes drifted to the door, seeing his large frame hesitate for a moment before pushing open the glass door.
“Yeah,” I finally answered.
“I thought you were just friends now.”
My gaze fell back on him after Killian disappeared into the crowd outside. “We are.”
Brian’s mouth lifted into a cocky smile. “Are you sure he knows that?”
I nodded. “He was the one who ended it, who didn’t want anything serious.”
He shrugged, his long sandy brown locks falling around his eyes. “Okay. Well, as long as you know what you want.”
I blinked away the image of Killian’s warm hands on mine moments earlier.
“I do,” I replied. “I definitely do.”
“Good. Then, let’s eat.”
And that was exactly what we did. I ordered a healthy salad while he stuck with the standard burger and fries.
Other than our brief encounter on the dance floor, this was the first time I’d spent any time with Brian outside of the classroom. He turned out to be just as charming and witty in person as he had in front of a bunch of students. I found myself laughing and completely engaged in conversation the entire meal.
But, at the end of the date, when he offered to show me his place—I declined instantly.
Why?
I still couldn’t stop thinking about Killian and the way a single touch had left me nearly breathless.
Would I ever feel that again?
Or was I, once again, expecting too much?
After promising a second date to Brian before we left the restaurant, I went home, ready to kick my shoes off and relax for a few minutes before Amy arrived to help me with the massive pile of books in my dining room. She’d been a lifesaver since I’d told her about my secret life, taking time out of her busy social life to help me. She’d even agreed to figure out a way to get them all shipped without anyone noticing.
I took a quick glance in their direction, seeing all the books piled around my parents’ antique table like a protective shield.
Dropping my purse by the front door, I barely had enough time to close the door before my phone started ringing.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Kate, it’s Jane.”
“You know I see your name on the phone before I answer, right?” I said, rolling my eyes. I walked into my bedroom where I peeled off my sweater and placed my shoes by the bed.
“You can’t see it, but I’m sticking my tongue out at you.”
“That’s mature.” I laughed, collapsing on the bed.
“Anyway, there’s a reason I called you.”
“Business or friendship?”
“What?” she asked.
“Is this phone call business-related, or is it friendship-related? I need to know what kind of tone I should take. Like, should I be formal and a little standoffish? Or, if it’s a friend thing, maybe I should be warm and inviting?”
