I pressed my lips to her temple. “That’s my girl.” Tough as nails. But that knowledge didn’t stop the urge I had to lock her away and stand between her and anything that might cause her pain.

Kenna pushed to her feet. “I need my laptop and my phone.”

“What for?” Bell asked.

“I’m going to call every single one of my clients and tell them I’m putting out my own shingle.” The color had come back to Kenna’s face, and with this new sense of purpose, an energy that I hadn’t seen in days.

Ford grinned. “You know, I’ve been thinking about getting an accountant for the bar now that Bell is focused on her shop. I hate doing payroll. Think you got a spot for The Catch on your roster?”

Kenna was silent for a moment, the kindness of the gesture seeming to take her by surprise. “You’re my first official client…Thank you.” She looked around the room. “All of you.”

38

Kenna

“Thank you so much, Mr. Carpenter. I really appreciate your confidence in me.”

Mr. Carpenter’s gritty laugh sounded over the line. “I’ve told you before. Call me John. And I’m always down for anything that will stick it to The Man. Plus, you’re a damn good accountant.”

I grinned down at my papers that were sprawled across the coffee table. “Well, no matter your reasoning, I appreciate it.”

“I’ll see you next week, Kenna.”

“Next week, John.” I hung up with a sigh. But a happy one.

“That was the last one?”

I looked up to see Crosby removing what looked like takeout from Rocco’s out of a bag. He’d made Bell and Ford stay with me while he ran out to grab a few things, but now, it was just the two of us.

“All done.”

He plated two heaping slices of lasagna along with some Caesar salad. “Verdict?”

“Everybody except one person is staying with me.”

Crosby beamed, the smile hitting me right in the belly or maybe the heart. It was devastating. “That calls for a celebration.”

I pushed to my feet and stretched, my back stiff from hunching over the coffee table. “I’d say you’re right.”

As soon as I was within snatching range, Crosby pulled me to him and slid into a hungry kiss, his tongue tangling with mine and leaving me just a touch breathless. “I’m proud of you.”