Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Mila
Stretching out on the couch, I snuggle deeper in my blankets. I finally got done with my day around five o’clock, then went to dinner with Mara, and visited my parents. It’s only about nine, and I don’t have to open tomorrow, so I’m thinking I might sleep in until seven.
It’s been getting progressively colder, so I’m in no hurry to go anywhere. Scrolling through social media apps, I almost drop my phone when it rings in my hand, and I see it’s Kash calling.
Shit. Do I answer? Do I let it go to voicemail? Why am I overthinking this? It’s just Kash. Yeah, right, just Kash.
The phone stops ringing, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Decision made. Tossing my phone to the side, I start to wonder if I’m being too hard on him. Maybe I should call him back. He’s been sticking to the ‘just friends’ thing like I asked.
Grabbing my phone again, I bring up his contact and hover my finger above it.
Future Husband glares back at me, daring me to call him.
We had a great chat, but when I saw how he put his name in my phone, I almost changed it.
I shouldn’t encourage him, but there’s a small part of me that really enjoys his crazy.
Deciding I won’t call him back, I go to turn off the screen, but my finger hits the call button instead. Shit. Trying to quickly disconnect it, I cringe and toss my phone. What is wrong with me?
A knock at the door has me jumping through my skin. I have a sinking feeling that I know who’s on the other side of the door.
“My friend Mila, are you there?” Kash’s voice calls out. “I have a surprise for you.”
Maybe if I just lie here, he’ll think I’m out.
“Your light is on; I thought you might be up still,” he shouts.
Crap. Tossing my blanket to the side, I take in my appearance and swear. My hair is in a messy bun, and I’m just lounging around in sweats and a sweatshirt. Oh well. We aren’t dating, so this is what he gets.
Opening the door, I find Kash on the other side with his ever-permanent smile.
As he walks past and invites himself into my apartment, I fight the urge to sigh.
I don’t normally have men up here, so this feels weirder than it should.
It has nothing to do with the fact that I don’t fully trust myself around him.
He looks hot as always. His hair is pulled back, face free of scruff, brown eyes lit with happiness, and I won’t even mention the way he fills his sweatshirt.
“Cute place, Sunshine. It suits you.” He wanders into the living room, where my phone now sits on the couch. He turns and gives me a questioning glance.
“Thanks. I was just folding some laundry in my room,” I lie through my teeth. My laundry is still sitting in a basket in my bedroom, waiting for me to do something with it. I can’t tell him I ignored his call intentionally.
“Sure.” He nods.
“So, you said you had a surprise for me?” I bring his wandering attention back to me. The sooner I can get him to leave, the better.
Smiling, he looks me over. “Yes, but you can’t go out like that.” He gestures to my lounge wear.
“Excuse me?” Well, that was rude.
“Sorry. That came out wrong. We’re going somewhere, and it’s cold out, so I figured layers would be better. I think you look beautiful, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“Oh.” Well, now I feel like a jerk. “Where are we going? Are we meeting up with the others?” Turning to head back to my room, I hear his footsteps behind me. “What are you doing?” I turn and stop him.
“So, I’m not invited to your bedroom? Got it. I’ll wait out here.” Looking disappointed, he walks back toward the living room.
“I’ll get changed real quick. Help yourself to a drink, just not from the faucet.
It’s been a bit iffy lately.” Running into my room, I shut the door.
Layers, he said. I can do this. I shouldn’t be curious or entertaining him, but I can’t help it.
It’s not every day a six-foot tall, gorgeous man appears at your doorway and tells you to get ready, he has a surprise.
Shoving down the feeling of excitement, I find a pair of fleece leggings and quickly change. Pulling them up, I grab a pair of jeans to layer over the top. Tossing on a thermal from out of my laundry basket, I change into that before tugging on my sweatshirt again.
Heading back out to the living room, I find Kash sitting on my couch like he belongs there. He has a couple of blankets on his lap. As I approach, he gives me an appraising look.
“Perfect. You need a hat and gloves. Just to be sure.”
Grabbing my jacket and accessories as requested, I turn toward him. “Okay, now what?”
“Now, we go. I have the best surprise for you, Mila.” Kash grabs my keys from the table, and gestures for me to follow him.
“You’re not kidnapping me, are you?” I ask as I walk out the door behind him.
Locking my door, he shakes his head. “Tempting, but no. Although, if I was going to kidnap you, I’d never admit to it.”
“Comforting.” I shake my head but find myself interested in his plans.
Heading downstairs, we exit into the alley behind my building. “Let’s go, Sunshine. You’re riding with me.”
When he leads me toward a dark SUV in the parking lot, I start to question my own sanity. Kash opens my door and softly shuts it once I’m set. As he rounds the vehicle, I suddenly feel apprehensive. He wouldn’t kidnap me, right?
Kash gets situated in his seat, then turns on the engine, looking at me. “You ready?”
“I guess, even though I don’t know where we’re going.”
“Don’t worry. It’s one of my favorite places. You’ll love it.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
As we drive through town, I sneak glances at Kash.
He keeps one hand on the wheel, while the other rests on a center console.
His hair is tied up, and I wonder what it would be like to run my fingers through it.
He keeps it shaved on the sides, his constellation tattoos on display, but I bet the rest of it is soft.
The tattoos that creep up his neck make me curious as to where else he has them on his body, and what they are. His body is like a walking work of art.
I feel his gaze swing to me, and I quickly look away. Busted. Maybe he doesn’t know I was checking him out.
“If you look at me like that again, friend, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Mhmm... sure you don’t. That’s why I can see the red stain on your cheeks from here.”
“You cannot,” I huff out.
“Oh, Sunshine, you have no idea what I see.”
Not knowing how to respond, I sit quietly until we reach our destination. “Where are we?”
“Mom’s house.”
My head whips toward him. “What?” I shout. He took me to meet his mom? Is he nuts? I already know Emma from Atlas’ party, but I can’t meet her again like this. Kash starts to laugh at my meltdown, so I reach across and smack him. “It’s not funny!”
“Sure it is, Sunshine. You think I’m bringing you to meet my mom—which, don’t worry, you will eventually—but she’s not home. We have the place to ourselves. Come on.” Climbing out like he didn’t just drop a bomb, I watch him walk around to my side of the car.
Unease slithers through me, and I quickly lock the car doors. When he gets to my side, he tries to open it. His head snaps up when he realizes it’s locked.
Tilting his head, his normally light eyes seem to darken. “If you want to play games, Mila, we can play games, but don’t start something you aren’t ready for. Unlock the door, Sweetheart.”
Ignoring the flare of heat that goes through me at the first part of his statement, I pin him with a glare. “Can I trust you?”
“I guess you’ll have to decide that for yourself.
” He steps back from the SUV, as if he’s implying I have a choice.
I could always take his car and leave him here, but I have to admit, I’m curious.
He wouldn’t do anything too crazy. Cora is dating his friend, and Kash isn’t that guy. Unlocking the door, I climb out.
“Sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for, pretty girl. Never apologize for protecting yourself. Now, let’s go. I have the perfect spot set up.” He grabs my hand and pulls me behind him.
Walking around the side of the house, he leads me to a large backyard. On one side, there’s a picnic table and fire pit close by each other. On the other is a large hammock that looks big enough for three people.
Following my eyes, he points toward the hammock. “Surprise, Mila.”
“Umm, thanks?”
“I have to grab a few things. I’ll be right back.
” He turns away, leaving me in the backyard.
What the hell is going on? Pulling out my phone, I see only an hour has passed since I was sitting on my couch, thinking I was in for the night, and now I’m standing in Kash’s mom’s backyard in the freezing cold. How is this my life?
A branch snapping makes me jump, but when I hear Kash’s chuckle, I settle.
“You afraid of the dark, Sunshine?” he asks, his hands full of the blankets he snagged from my apartment and a thermos.
“Of course not. Do you want help with those?” I point toward his arms.
“Nah. I got this. Come on.”
As he walks toward the hammock, I dutifully follow behind him. “So, what’s my surprise?” I can’t think of anything that would make sense. He hasn’t offered much about why we’re out here in the late November night.
He lays a blanket over the hammock, sets the thermos on the ground, then turns to me, rubbing his hands together.
He looks almost villain-like. “Did you know that tonight is the best night to see the Kappa Ursae Majoris meteor shower? Usually, you only see about one an hour, but I figured we could see if we can spot more.”
Air seizes in my chest as I try to formulate a response. This is too romantic for friends. “Um, Kash—” I start before he cuts me off.
“Before you panic and say it’s a date, it’s not. It’s more like two friends who appreciate the sky, watching a once-a-year phenomenon. What kind of friend would I be if I let you miss it?”
“So, this isn’t a date?” I ask him, needing confirmation.
Stepping closer to me, I feel the heat of his body and shiver.
His shoes touch the tips of mine and when Kash leans down, his eyes dipping to my lips, I involuntarily close the distance.
Moving closer to him, I hear his soft murmur, “Of course not, FW. If this was a date, you’d know it.
” To my disappointment, Kash kisses my forehead, then stands to his full height. “Now, into the hammock, Mila.”
Climbing into the hammock as carefully as possible, it takes me a minute to get situated. Once I do, and Kash crawls in next to me, it finally dawns on me he called me FW. Turning toward Kash, I remind myself to breathe when his soft gaze lands on mine. “You called me FW.”
“I did.”
“What’s that mean?”