Page 35 of Best Kept Secret

He stiffened, and his hand stilled in her hair. It wasn’t an inaccurate description, but he wasn’t proud of it, and he didn’t like that she knew. He could argue that he’d changed, but then he’d have to confess about Annie, and that might negate the possibility of having any relationship with her.

“He wasn’t completely wrong, but I wouldn’t do that to you. You’re…different.”

She’d been rubbing her hand across his chest, and she stopped and looked up at him. “You don’t have to say that on my account. I’m a big girl, and despite what my brother believes, I can take care of myself.”

Her jaw was set, and there was fiery determination in her eyes, and damn if that didn’t turn him on even more. Here was a woman who knew her own mind and wasn’t afraid to speak it. If only he were as brave…

“I don’t want to hurt you, Kelsey.”

“You won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I see you. I see the real you, and it doesn’t match the picture that Jared painted.”

“Maybe you’re just seeing what you want to see.”

“If you’re trying to give me a way out, don’t. I know what I want, and that’s you.”

Her words buoyed him and terrified him at the same time. The idea that she was willing to put her trust in him when he didn’t deserve it brought him to his knees.

“Kelsey…”

She put her finger over his lips again. “Just shut up and kiss me,” she said.

So he did.

Eleven

Afew days later, Kelsey entered the hair salon and went up to the front desk. “I have an appointment with Jenna Young,” she said to the receptionist.

“She’s just finishing up with a client. Would you like something to drink while you wait?”

“No thanks. I’m good.”

The salon had an open floor plan, and since Jenna’s station was near the front door, she was in plain view. She was also within hearing distance, not that Kelsey planned on eavesdropping. She sat down, picked up a People magazine from the side table, and paged through it. The issue was out of date, so she mostly looked at the pictures and let her mind wander to Hudson.

Ever since their bowling date, and more notably, their kissing, they’d been texting each other regularly. They’d mostly done it in the evenings after work, but today he’d texted her in the middle of the afternoon.

Dinner this weekend? Just you and me. No friends or babies. What do you think?

She’d laughed, and her coworker Ruth had eyed her curiously from across the aisle. Turning her back to the woman, she typed out a quick response.

Sounds good. Not that I’m against friends or babies.

He responded right away. I would have called, but I’m in a meeting right now, and my boss might not appreciate the interruption.

She laughed again, and Ruth cleared her throat loudly as if to remind her that she was supposed to be working. Heaven forbid anyone laugh while at work!

What if he catches you texting?

Impossible. I’m super sly when I need to be.

She refrained from laughter that time, not wanting to garner further attention from her nosy coworker. Before she could come up with a witty response, another message popped up. Good thing she’d silenced her phone; otherwise, Ruth would probably be having a fit by now.

I’ll call you later, and we’ll discuss the details.

Now she was anxious to get her hair done before their date this weekend. She’d booked this appointment a month ago, having had no idea that he’d ask her out. It was meant to be, she thought as she flipped another page in the magazine.