Page 62 of Kane

“I just don’t want to screw it up this time. Like I always do.”

Claire breaths out a long sigh. “You won’t.”

“How do you know that?” I ask, going around to make sure everything’s been turned off.

“Because you’re not as bad of a guy as you think you are, Ryder.”

Her words fall on me, and make me feel strangely warm. Understood.

“Thanks,” I say. “Glad one of us thinks so.”

I hear the chime of my text on my phone, and realize as I pull it away, that it’s Kane.

Kane: Here

Shit!

“I gotta go, he’s here and I still have to lock up,” I say. “Karen won’t be here until eight to do the stock.”

“Have fun! Remember to use protection!” Claire teases and I shake my head.

Sometimes I swear, she’s actually worse than our mother. And that’s saying something.

I shoot off a text to Kane, telling him I’ll be out in a couple minutes and shut the light out. I take my apron off and head to grab my coat, and barely get halfway to the lobby before I see him.

Fuck, this man… how does he manage to make even the most basic clothes look so good?

It’s not like he’s dressed any differently—he’s still sporting the same black jeans, studded boots, black shirt, and black coat. But somehow he looks less like a Hot Topic worker and more like James Bond if James bond had a beard and a bright red scarf.

Okay, the scarf is definitely new.

“Don’t tell me you got all dressed up for me,” I say with a grin, sliding my hands in my pocket.

“Oh, this isn’t dressed up.”

I flick his scarf. “This looks new.”

He smirks. “I’ve had it for a while. Just… no excuse to wear it.”

I shake my head. We live in New York, and it’s cold more than anything else, so that’s a downright lie. But I don’t press him on it, because it’s kind of adorable how he’s trying to play it cool right now.

Mr. Cool seems nervous, and I can’t help but feel somewhat excited about that.

“I’d offer you a coffee, but… we’re closed,” I tease.

“Oh, don’t worry, I think you’ll find my diet consists of many things.”

I scoff, but not angrily.

“Uh-huh. Right.” I take a step forward, and Kane turns, taking the lead.

“So, what did you have in mind, friend?” I ask, stealing a sideways glance.

God, he’s so fucking hot. The bright red scarf only makes him look cooler. I’m pretty sure if I tried to pull off the same look, I’d look like one of the rats from the Muppet Christmas Carol.

“Well, I did promise you dinner and lots of talking.”

I nod. “In that order specifically?”