Chapter 11 #3
“I’m saying that’s possible if you’re not careful.
If you’re like Kayn—and I think you are—it’s something you’ll need to decide before you start a family.
” She took a step forward and kicked at a clod of dirt.
“I remember when I realized how unimportant I was to my father. His attorney handled the divorce, and we couldn’t afford one of our own.
Kayn was in a form of denial. It’s sad when a ten-year-old girl is left to figure out how to handle a divorce.
Our father got away with paying the least amount in child support that he could.
He kept getting behind, and we’d have to threaten to take him to court before he’d pay up. ”
Ahri heaved out a breath and shook her head.
“One time he’d gotten so far behind we thought he’d never pay again.
Then suddenly, just like that, he did. All of it.
It turns out you can’t get a passport if you’re behind in child support.
” She put on an evil grin. “That’s one case where I’m glad Big Brother was watching.
We used the money to get a newer car since our old one was dying. ”
Rafe stared at her for a few seconds while she looked off in the distance. Why was she sharing this story? He stepped beside her.
“Are you saying you think I’d abandon my family?”
Ahri turned to face him, and their gazes met. She reached up and cupped his cheek, her expression gentle, sympathetic. Rafe held still, hurt by her words yet touched by the kindness in her eyes.
“We both know there are different kinds of abandonment,” she said, her voice soft.
“My father’s was physical; your father’s was emotional.
I don’t believe you’d do it on purpose. I’m only saying that as consumed as you are with your business that it’s a real possibility.
You and my brother both need to consider your priorities when you’re ready for a life outside of REKD Gaming. ”
Ahri started to drop her hand, but Rafe captured it with his and kept it against his cheek.
Her touch had sent an electricity through him like he’d never experienced before.
Those hazel-green eyes held him, like there was an invisible thread drawing them closer, trying to link them.
He craved the tantalizing connection that teased his mind with its almost-touch.
Against his will, held in those mesmerizing eyes of hers, he leaned closer.
Ahri must have felt the tug too because she eased in.
The pulse in her throat pounded in rhythm with his own.
He inhaled and took in her fragrance, a combination of perspiration and her subtle perfume.
He wanted to seek it out. Had she put it on behind her ear or on the hollow of her throat?
It was getting hard to breathe. Rafe dropped his gaze to her mouth and found her lips parted, almost an invitation. Was it? He paused, waiting for permission. She edged in. Closing his eyes, he moved close enough to taste her breath.
You’re her boss.
With a jolt, Rafe stepped back, stumbling on the uneven ground. He coughed and steadied himself. She stared at him, her cheeks flushing red. His gut wrenched.
His mother’s very loud oven timer went off.
“Dinner’s ready.” Ahri brushed past him and didn’t look back.
Rafe shook. He’d blown it. Big time. How could he have given in? Two more months. All he’d had to do was to wait two months, and he hadn’t been able to do it. Did she think he’d been teasing her? He clenched and unclenched his hands, letting out slow breaths.
When he was in control again, he returned to the house.
Ahri was pulling out the casserole as he entered, so he washed his hands. The silence weighed on him, but he couldn’t make up his mind what to say.
Letting out a slow breath, he took two plates from the cupboard and set them at the table. They needed to have a normal conversation to get past the awkwardness. He had to pretend it hadn’t happened, go on as normal. He set the cutlery in place and went to the Frigidaire.
“What would you like to drink with dinner?” He opened it. “There’s milk, of course, and a couple kinds of juice. You want me to make you some coffee? Ma doesn’t drink it, but she keeps some quality instant on hand for her guests who do.”
“I don’t want anything hot,” Ahri said, still not looking at him.
“Oh, look, here’s some sweet tea.” Rafe pulled out the pitcher and held it up, forcing a smile.
“What is it with you people and sweet tea?” she asked. “Even in the cafe at work, if I want a cup of hot tea, I have to ask for it specifically or they give me iced sweet tea.”
“It’s a tradition.” He put the half-full pitcher on the table, grateful for something normal to talk about. “This, for example, belonged to Granny Gladys’s great grandma. It’s a family heirloom.”
“It’s beautiful.” Ahri came to the table to examine the pitcher, running her fingers over the delicately painted flowers. “I’ve meant to ask about it but kept forgetting.”
“The family story has it that her husband owned a fleet of ships, and he brought it back for her from one of his cruises.” Rafe sat down and signaled for Ahri to do the same. “That was before the War of Northern Aggression.”
“The what?” Her expression had lightened, and he hoped they were on the way to mending things.
“You northerners call it the Civil War.” He scooped out a healthy serving of food onto his plate.
“War of Northern Aggression.” Ahri shook her head as she took the spoon he offered and ladled some of the casserole onto her plate. “That certainly wasn’t in any of my textbooks.”
“Well, the thing is, the side that wins a war gets to write the history books. Not that I’m sorry they won.
Funny to think about it though. If the South had won, you’d need a green card to work here.
” He arched his brows, allowing the corner of his mouth to quirk up.
She must have accepted his truce offer because she gave him a half-hearted smile.
At the end of what turned out to be a pleasant meal where they talked about routine stuff they could just as easily have discussed at the office, Rafe rose to clear the table. Ahri’s phone went off. She pulled it from her pocket.
“Is it Kayn?” he asked.
“No, it’s a work email.”
“Who’s sending you work emails on a Saturday?”
Her cheeks had gone pink again. That was twice in one day. Rafe stretched so he could see her screen. She caught him and turned away, shooting him a disapproving glare.
His curiosity piqued, Rafe kept trying to catch a glimpse of her phone as he stacked the dishes on the table.
“Will you stop it?” She turned the screen for him to see. “It’s from Ken at work. He asked me out for dinner Monday night, and he’s telling me where we’re going. Satisfied?”
He wasn’t satisfied at all. The food in his stomach now felt like a brick. Eight more weeks was a long time if Rafe couldn’t be anything to her but her boss while some other guy was hanging around.
“Ken,” he said. “You mean Kennen O’Brien in Art?”
Ahri glanced at her phone again. “O’Brien. Yes. I didn’t remember his last name.”
“You’re going out with a guy whose last name you don’t even know?” Rafe allowed himself only a slight shake of his head, disapproval coloring his tone.
“What’s it to you who I go out with?” Her gaze was hard, accusatory.
“It’s not,” he said. “Does Kayn know?”
“What’s with the cross examination?” She didn’t quite stamp her foot.
“What if he’s with those people who killed Zed?” Rafe snapped his mouth shut, wishing back the words.
Ahri’s face had gone white. “It’s been weeks, and we’ve heard nothing. How long am I going to be a prisoner here, hiding away?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You can go out with whomever you want, but I think it’s a good idea to have Bill check out everyone.”
“Excuse me, but are you suggesting that he wouldn’t want to go out with me unless he’s a plant, put there by the murderer?”
“I didn’t say that, and it’s not what I meant. Please, take a breath. I’m an idiot.” On so many levels.
“You’re right.”
“What, that Bill should check out anyone you date or that I’m an idiot?”
“Both.” Ahri let out a soft laugh, her tense body relaxing. “Let’s finish cleaning up. I’m tired.”
Rafe decided to only stay long enough to wash the dishes.
He’d planned to spend the night in one of the guest rooms, so he could have breakfast with them in the morning, but he was in too emotional a state.
He couldn’t be sure he could keep control of his mouth.
He’d have to wait until the guys came over for dinner.
“Well, I hope you had a nice birthday. I’ll call it a day.” He dried his hands on the hand towel. “Thanks for coming along. It was fun. I think Lessa especially enjoyed having you there, more so than she’d have had if it’d just been me.”
“I think you’re wrong there. That little girl adores you.”
“I do my best to spoil her.”
“There’s nothing better for a girl than having a big brother she can idolize.”
“From the sister who has a brother she idolizes?” He grinned.
“It was easy with Kayn. Since I was a bit of a geek, having the king of geeks for my big brother was perfect.”
“I’m glad you had him.” Rafe took a backward step toward the door. “Would you still like some help with dinner tomorrow? I’m not as good a cook as Ma, but I can give you some tips.”
She watched him for a second before nodding. “That would take a lot of pressure off me.”
“I’ll come a couple hours early then.”
“All right.”
While he drove home, he wondered if he’d ever get to sleep. It was a good thing he didn’t have to get up early in the morning because it might be a long night. Maybe he should work on that new champion duo.