Page 22 of November's Bad Boy: Kacen
I don't say anything right away before making that promise.
“Promise me,” he begs, his pleading eyes meet mine.
“I promise.”
I have problems sleeping, so the next day I’m at the Merc as soon as Ruby opens. Ruby’s restocking syrups with a precision that means she’s either stressed or scheming. I lean against the counter and take over from her husband, Orville. It's so early, and it's just the three of us in the store.
“Hey, Ruby. Have you ever wondered who the anonymous investor is—the one helping all the businesses in town?” I ask.
She doesn’t miss a beat. “I know exactly who it is.”
I stand there stunned before asking, “You do?”
She glances up and studies me before she gives me a knowing look. “You do too now, don’t you?”
I don’t answer.
She grins. “Thought so. I was wondering if Kacen was going to tell you. I've seen how you two have been staring at each other.”
“Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
“Because he didn’t want me to. And I respect that. He was helping the town, so I did as I was asked.”
“But don’t you think he deserves some kind of thanks? I mean… he did a lot. And no one even knows.”
Ruby taps her chin with her pen. “Oh honey. I had an idea set up for Friendsgiving. I realized it was time the town said thanks. Now that you know, you can help.”
I blink. “What?”
My brain is trying to figure out how I got roped into helping with this. Another part of my brain knows this is going to backfire on me horribly.
“Let’s give him something at Friendsgiving. Something small. Something only he and Kacen will recognize. We won’t make a big show of it. Just a thank you in disguise.”
A quiet nod is all I manage, because suddenly my heart feels a little too full.
Later, with my talk with Ruby still on my mind, I text Kacen.
Me: You trust me, right?
Kacen: Always.
I smile at the screen and start sketching out ideas on a napkin. A plaque. A note slipped under his plate. A toast only he would understand.
Because if this is the start of something real, then I want him to know I see him.
Both of them. Even when they think no one else does.
CHAPTER 8
KACEN
The Merc is too damn cheerful this morning. Ruby has got some kind of jazz music playing, something bright and bouncy, and the smell of cinnamon scones is thick in the air. There are flowers on every available space—sunflowers, daisies, those purple ones—and people milling around, buying groceries like everything is just fine.
It isn't.
I only came in for coffee. Just a normal cup of black coffee to get through the rest of the day, but then I see it.
A printed flyer pinned to the community board by the register. Bright orange cardstock, too cheery for what it is.
