12. Sahara
12
Sahara
“ E verything good?” I ask when Kalen comes back, a new kind of snarl tugging at the corners of his lips. Wow, who said what to annoy him?
“Yeah.” He gives a dismissive wave of his hand, like he’s playing something off. “Roman was asking about Taylor.”
Sensing his worry for his sister, I lean back and takes another peek at Roman. “He’s cute.” As Kalen’s gaze zeroes in on me like he’s worried his sister might think so too, I add, “In an ass kind of way.”
He laughs at that, his shoulders relaxing. “Yeah?”
I tap the menu with my thumb, something I do when I’m thinking and I note the sudden distant look in Kalen’s eyes as he notes the movement. “So basically, what I think you’re saying about Roman is that he’s a player, but he’s also a good guy?”
“Something like that. I just…don’t want him with my sister.”
I reach across the table and put my hand on his, but he maneuvers his fingers so he’s lightly brushing his thumb over the back of my hand. Alrighty then. “Don’t worry. Taylor is a smart girl. She’s not going to get caught up in a guy who has no intentions of settling down for a while.”
“You think she’s looking to settle down.”
Honestly, all I know is that she’s got it bad for Elias. “I don’t know, Kalen. Not all women want the white picket fence.”
He opens his mouth and closes it a few times and then he finally says. “I just worry about her.”
“I love that you do, and you know what…” My words fall off as the server brings us coffee. She smiles at me, and Kalen quickly introduces us. After we exchange pleasantries, Kalen asks, “Is Gina in today? I wanted to introduce her to Sahara. Ash fixed her door for her the other day.”
Maria’s eyes go wide. “That was you?” I nod and she continues, “I’m so sorry to hear that. Thank God Kalen was there.”
I smile at Kalen. “Yes, thank God.” God, isn’t that what I screamed when he brought me to orgasm. I take a fast drink of my coffee, hoping to hide the blush I feel crawling into my cheeks.
“Well, you two have a look over the menu and I’ll be back as fast as I can. We’re a bit short-staffed this morning.”
With that, she leaves and Kalen turns his attention back to me. “Do I know what?” he asks as soon as Maria is out of ear shot.
I blink, my mind backtracking to our conversation. “Oh, I was just saying, it’s okay to not want deeper things in a relationship. I believe it’s okay as long as Roman makes it perfectly clear who he is and what he wants. I think women can respect that. They know what they’re getting into, know what they’re getting out of it. I actually appreciate that quality in a man.”
One and done…
I recall Taylor’s words as I glance into his eyes to see if he fully understands what I’m saying. He needs to know I’m not asking for anything more than a few hook-ups. The man doesn’t even know who I really am. If he ever found out…
“Yeah. Okay.” He takes a sip of his coffee, and the table begins to vibrate. I glance down to see the way he’s bouncing one leg.
“What?” I ask.
“I just…I was thinking. We know where we stand. I just…I’d like it to just be us, exclusive until…you know.”
I try to still my suddenly racing heart. He just clearly likes the sex. “Until after the Halloween party?”
He laughs, but there’s an uneasy edge to it. “Yeah.”
“I’m good with that, Kalen.” Maybe he thinks I’m the kind of girl who has more than one man at once. Not that there is anything wrong with that, there isn’t, as long as everyone involved knows the score and are on the same page. But I’m not entirely sure that’s the vibe I want to be giving off. Sure, I’m trying new things, even a new personality, or maybe not new, maybe it’s a personality that’s been inside me all this time, just repressed. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
He nods, and just then his head lifts and he glances at the door as the bell above it jingles. A gorgeous pregnant woman with dark hair and eyes steps inside, and a big smile full of fondness comes over Kalen’s face.
“Hey,” he calls and stands as the woman walks straight to him. Kalen gives her a hug and her gaze drops to me.
“You must be Sahara.”
Her bright smile is welcoming and contagious. I return it. “You must be Gina.”
She puts her hands on her belly and there’s a glow about her. “That is me and I’m so happy to finally meet you, Sahara.”
It’s so weird because hearing her say Sahara, and not Darien, makes me feel like such a fraud, even though it is my middle name. I stand and hold my hand out to her. Catching me by surprise, she brings me in for a hug. “Any friend of Kalen and Taylor’s is a friend of mine.”
“Hey, where’s my hug,” Roman yells out and she rolls her eyes at him. “Eat your cinnamon roll, and hush,” she teases and Roman and Tuck both laugh. Everything about the comradery between all of them is like a fist to the chest. My God, it’s all I ever wanted. My sisters and brothers excluded me, whether they realized it or not, and I was a nerdy misfit in school. Sure, I’ve changed everything about myself, but for some reason, I don’t think these people would care which woman I am.
“Thank you so much for the carrot cake. It was delicious. That was so nice of you.”
“No problem. I just felt so awful that your place was broken into and I’m glad Ash could help. Besides.” She pats her belly. “I’ve been craving carrot cake with this pregnancy and you were saving me from myself.”
I chuckle. “You look great. I didn’t know you were pregnant. Kalen only told me about Zoe.” That day I met Ash fixing my door, Zoe wasn’t with him, and that’s too bad because I was looking forward to meeting the girl a grown-ass man was afraid of. “When are you due?”
“Not soon enough,” she jokes and adds. “January, actually.” Without missing a beat, she continues, “You’re coming to the Halloween party, right?” I don’t say anything, because I’m still not sure and she turns to Kalen. “You told her, right?”
I bite back a grin, because while Gina might be small, she’s damn mighty.
“Yes, I told her. She might have had plans, though. She’s busy with her play.”
“Do you have plans?” Gina asks directly, and the honesty in her eyes, the real hope that I don’t, has me shaking my head.
“I have performances Friday and Saturday night.”
“Good thing the party is on a Sunday, to accommodate everyone’s schedule.”
I laugh. “Looks like I’m coming, then. I just have to figure out a costume.”
She waves her hand. “Don’t put too much work into it. I’m going as a beluga whale and don’t even have to dress up.” I laugh with her and she adds, “Most of the guys think they’re so clever…” she pauses to roll her eyes again. “…dressing as hockey players. “
I laugh at that. “I’m sure Kalen can do better.” I toss out that challenge to him and he folds his arms, a playful disgruntled sound rumbling in his throat.
“Ash was telling me that you are in a local production of Love Unbound with Taylor. That sounds amazing. I need to get out and catch a show soon. I’ve been dying to see Taylor on stage.”
I glance at Kalen. I guess he must have been talking about me. An almost sheepish look comes over him. “We had our friends and family opening night on Thursday, but our regular show starts next weekend. They run until just before Christmas. We have Thanksgiving off, thankfully. It’s going to be busy.” I don’t tell them that I’m actually super busy, because I also hold down a full-time job. “I actually have some tickets for you.”
Her jaw drops open. “Are you kidding me?”
I crinkle my nose as I look at her belly. “If you’re able to go?”
“I can go, and I’m so touched that you thought of me.”
“I wanted to thank you for all you and Ash have done for me. I don’t think I could have gotten anyone to fix my door so quickly.”
She laughs and waves her hand. “No thanks needed, but I’ll take those tickets.”
“I’ll bring them to you. We were jogging and I didn’t know we’d be stopping in. They’re good for any night.”
“That is perfect. I’ll gather up the girls and we’ll make a night of it. Wait, do you read romance?”
I blink at her fast change of subject again. “Yes, I love to read.”
“She’s wicked smaht…” Kalen jokes doing his best Boston accent.
A little embarrassed, I lean forward to shield my face. “I don’t know about that.” Honestly, I’m not used to compliments, so I never know how to take them.
“I have no doubt you’re wicked smaht,” Gina adds. “Are you free Thursday night?”
I do a quick mental check of my work schedule. “I am.”
“Come to book club. We’re reading a steamy firefighter book this week. We’ve been trying to get Taylor to join, but she’s so busy with school, and her play.”
“I do not want to hear this.” Kalen puts his fingers in his ears and starts humming, which makes us both laugh.
“We’re having it at Brighton’s place.” She whacks Kalen’s hands from his ears. “She lives in Sparrow Springs. Kalen can give you the directions. Actually, when the guys have a night off, they usually drive us, then get together for a game of pool and drinks while we have book club, so Kalen can drive you.”
I’m about to protest when Kalen salutes her. “Yes, ma’am.” He laughs and adds, “You know I don’t remember you being so bossy.”
“When you’re fourteen months pregnant, you’re allowed to be bossy. Kalen, text me Sahara’s number and I’ll send you the name of the book. There’s not much time to read, but we mostly chat and drink wine…” She touches her stomach. “I miss wine.” We both laugh and she points to the chairs. “Now sit, and let me get you some food.” We both drop down into our chairs.
Kalen glances at her belly. “Are you sure you should be working?”
“My God, you sound just like my husband. He’d have me on bed rest if he had it his way, but we’re short-staffed and a girl needs to get out of the house every now and then.”
“Agreed,” I say.
“Besides, Zoe and Ash were having daddy daughter time. They need to soak it up before this little one comes.” I note the soft, melancholy look on her face, much like the one I just saw on Kalen’s.
“What do you recommend?” I ask.
Gina points to the specials on the menu, and I squint. I had eye surgery a couple years ago, but sometimes I still need glasses when reading, or putting books back on the shelves at work. “A little birdy told me the waffles were extra fluffy today, and the cinnamon rolls are to die for.”
“I want both,” Kalen announces, and drops his menu.
I wince. “I think I do too, but it sounds like a lot of food.”
Gina laughs. “I won’t tell if you don’t, and besides, you can take home what you don’t eat.” She gazes at our clothes. “And weren’t you both just jogging?”
“Yeah,” Kalen confirms.
Gina winks at me. “One of many great ways to burn off those extra calories.”
She walks away and I almost have to pick my jaw up from the table. “She knows.”
Kalen holds his hands up. “I didn’t tell her.” He leans in. “Maybe we just have sex written all over us.”
“Ugh, do you think Tucker and Roman know too.”
He shrugs. “Does it really matter?”
I consider that. “I mean, I guess not. I just…I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.”
His brow knits together as he wags his brows. “You mean the right idea?”
“No,” I correct quickly. “The wrong idea, that we’re a couple or anything. I don’t want anyone thinking you’re off the market.”
“I am,” he says quickly, his eyes piercing mine. My breath catches as I hold his gaze, and I consider the seriousness of his words. What exactly is he saying? “Until after Halloween, remember?”
“Right.” Of course, that’s what he meant. Jeez, did I really think Kalen Coolidge wanted a relationship with me. He’s in it for the sex and so am I. Besides, Taylor doesn’t want to break bro code and upset her brother by starting anything with Elias. Likewise, I don’t want to do anything to come between my friendship with her, either.
So basically no one else can know, because I do not want anything more than a few hook-ups with this man.
Liar.