I scoffed. “You didn’t reply.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked again. Nothing.

I held the phone up to show him the blank screen. Just my wallpaper of a sunset was there.

He shrugged his broad shoulders and looked into my eyes. “I came.”

“Why?” I was getting emotional already. I tried to reel it in and give him a moment to speak.

Kael’s expression softened and he shook his head slowly. I wished I could read his mind. “I’m sorry, I should have responded to your text. If you want me to go—”

I held my hand up. “No, I don’t want you to go,” I admitted.

The corner of his full lips twitched and pulled into a half-smile. “Good.”

I laughed, surprising myself. God, it felt so good to be near him. I grabbed my purse and walked toward him. I wanted to hug him, I wanted to hold on to him, I wanted to yell at him and laugh with him, I wanted to cry and scream and giggle and sit in silence. I didn’t have a fucking clue what I wanted. I didn’t know what to say to Kael or what the first step should be.

He seemed to sense my hesitation as he pushed the door open. “Shall we?” He waved his hand for me to go first.

I followed him outside and locked the shop door, forgetting about everything and everyone except Kael Martin.

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

Kael opened the door and I climbed into his truck. The familiar smell of him saturated my senses; my nerves were unwinding second by second. I tried not to think about how much was left unresolved between us or how much I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I didn’t know what the hell to say or do, so I just sat there, leaning my back against the seat, trying to gather my thoughts.

Kings of Leon’s first album was playing low through the speakers. I rolled down the passenger window to get some air. It smelled a little like fresh rain and earthworms. It helped calm me. The wind blowing, Kael driving, the loud thrum of the engine in this beast of a truck. It all helped calm me.

“Are you hot?” Kael’s voice was smooth as he put his seatbelt on.

“No. I’m okay.”

He smiled at me and I had to look away. I hated that my guard was slipping and slipping fast, but I felt a burst of relief when he looked at me, head tilted and lips parted. His eyes stayed on me. I could feel them but didn’t meet them.

“What?” I asked him, tucking my chin to my shoulder to hide my mouth.