Page 56 of Kane's Awakening
I laughed. “You and my daughter would get along. She hates reading, too. Well, she hates school period.”
“What’s her name?” he asked, looking genuinely interested.
“Isabella,” I answered with a smile. “But I call her Izzy. My son is Theo. They’re eight.”
“I bet you’re happy they’re out of that terrible toddler stage, right?”
Again, he made me laugh, and it felt great. It was a vast difference from when Kane and I’d discussed my kids—it had pushed him even more away, whereas it didn’t seem to faze Max.
“Actually, I miss it,” I said, remembering how they used to be—before Theo wastooold for kisses and cuddles and before Izzy got an attitude. “They’re starting to get into thatmy parents aren’t coolstage.” I took a drink of my tea and glanced at him over the top of my glass. He was smiling, and his eyes skewed at the edges, like permanent sexy, bedroom eyes. “It really doesn’t bother you that I have children?”
He pursed his lips as he thought. “Not really. If we ever do take it to that next step, I’m open minded enough to not let that be a deal breaker.” He broke out into another grin. “I’ve always wanted kids, anyway. I still think I’m too young for them now. But for sure someday.”
“They’re truly the best gift I’ve ever received,” I said, trying to tear my gaze away from how his V-neck shirt hugged his biceps.
His dark-brown eyes looked even darker that day. Exotic. That was probably the best word to describe him. His darker complexion combined with his black hair and long, dark eyelashes made me wonder if he was from Latin descent. It didn’t matter one way or the other. He was stunning.
And not only was he good-looking, but he was also smart, which made him even more attractive.
Conversation with Max moved effortlessly and never felt forced. He was a nice guy, just like I’d assumed he was, but I hadn’t expected to feel so at ease around him. Usually with my self-consciousness and anxiety, it took me a while to be able to carry conversations with people I didn’t know well, but it wasn’t like that with him.
Even after we’d finished our food, we still sat there and talked for over an hour—just enjoying each other’s company. When I glanced at my phone and saw it was almost four, I was shocked time had flown by so fast.
“You have to be at work at five?” I asked.
“Oh shit.” He looked at his phone, too. “Guess I better go so I can get ready.”
I paid for our lunch and we put on our coats before going outside. It was another cold day with temperatures barely above freezing, which was a little colder than average. I wished the weather would make up its mind. Not that I minded the cold, but I hated how unpredictable every day was. The weather guys mostly got it wrong, so it was difficult to know what to expect.
We’d taken separate vehicles, so I walked him to his car.
“Thanks for lunch,” Max said, standing beside the driver’s side door and fiddling with the keys in his hands.
It was the first time that day where things felt awkward between us. Not awkward in a bad way, but more in a nervous way, as if we didn’t know how to say goodbye. Did we make plans for the next date? Did we hug?
“You’re welcome,” I said, putting my hands in my coat pockets. “So, uh, would you like to go out again next weekend?”
“I’d like that. Just text me when and where.”
He leaned in for a quick hug, and I returned it. The kiss on the cheek was unexpected, though. His lips were warm and felt nice on my chilled face, but I didn’t have the desire to lean more into it or to even say something witty about himmissingand then kiss him on the mouth. It was short and sweet, and that was it.
IwishedI’d wanted more, but I didn’t.
“Have a good night at work,” I said, taking a step back and giving him room to open his door.
I went to my car after that and waited for him to drive out of the lot before doing the same. I didn’t have plans that day, other than going over the injury case again. But I could do that from home later.
Anna had asked me to come over for dinner around six, so I decided to head over early so I could have longer to visit. The last time I’d spoken to her, she’d wanted to knowallabout Kane and if anything more had happened between us. I hoped she didn’t ask me about him that day. Not sure I could handle it.
Of course it didn’t go that way. I hadn’t been in her house for more than fifteen minutes before she started in.
“Have you talked to him again?” she asked, leaning against the island in the kitchen with a mug of hot tea in her hands.
“Yes.”
She took a drink and stared at me. Her brows rose. “Hello? And, what happened?”
“Nothing,” I answered with a heavy sigh. “He was actually in an accident at his work, and when I found out about it, I went to his house.” I had to pause in the story to catch her up on the shooting, and then I continued, “I bet that was the last time I see him. He made it more than clear where we stood. I’m nothing but a hole to him.”
