Chapter 6
KENNA
C liff was everything Kenna had thought he’d be—and more.
The coffee shop was the final “are you secretly a serial killer?” test. But the second he walked through the door she knew she shouldn’t have bothered.
He looked exactly like his photos—pale skin, black hair, a little emo but with kind eyes. And he acted just like he did online: warm, confident, and slightly goofy.
“I can’t believe I’m really here!” he said as she stood up to hug him. He picked her up, spinning her lightly until her skirt swirled around her knees, then set her down with an easy laugh.
“I can’t either!” she said, beaming at him.
For a second, they stood there, caught in that awkward moment when either of them could have gone in for a kiss. Both of them felt it. Both of them hesitated.
But then it passed, and Cliff’s hand found hers, tugging her back to the table she’d been waiting at.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked, glancing toward the counter.
“Yeah, I’ll take whatever’s most likely to be a 1975 song title,” she said, grinning.
Cliff tilted his head, pretending to think.
“One iced latte called ‘Coffee for People Who Don’t Believe in Mornings,’ coming right up.
” She laughed, and he continued. “I can’t believe I’m going to get to hang out with someone who’s completely tolerant of my love for The 1975 for a whole weekend,” he said, grinning.
“We’re definitely going to have to record some of our conversations—my roommate doesn’t believe a woman like you exists. ”
Kenna laughed. “Thank you,” she said. “I think.”
Cliff stood, his grin stretching into a full-on killer smile as he stepped back. “Be right back with the latte.”
Kenna watched him go, taking in the way his jeans clung just right.
As soon as he disappeared into the line, she whipped out her phone to text Sarah: I might make my shift at the muffin factory!
, which was their girl-code for whether or not a guy might have game.
He’s not a murderer! she added afterward, more definitively.
Sarah sent back a laughing emoji and one word: Yet!
Cliff was just as easy to talk to in person as he had been online.
Three months of late-night chats had already covered everything.
Now, in person, it felt just as natural—and she could tell he felt it too.
His hand rested on hers atop the table, a little possessive but not overbearing, his thumb brushing hers now and then.
His eyes stayed on hers the entire time.
It was good. Almost magical.
And when the date segued into him meeting her friends at Chelly’s place—and they all liked him—Kenna realized he might even be worth turning her O-chem homework in late.
Sarah elbowed her side, whispering, “Good job.”
She’d recently rolled up with Nathaniel—this week’s man, possibly just tonight’s.
Cliff stood a bit away, beer in hand, holding his own with Nathaniel and another friend, deep in conversation about something Kenna didn’t quite catch. But she liked the way he seemed to fit in, as if he’d always been part of their group.
Then he caught her watching. His grin flashed across the room, and Kenna felt something warm and dangerous melting in her chest.
“That look says you’re not coming home tonight, right?” Sarah said, leaning in close. The scent of beer clung to her breath. “Promise me.”
Kenna shot Sarah a mock glare, before clinking her beer bottle with hers.
“Good girl,” Sarah said, smirking as she leaned back in her chair.