Chapter 20 #2
The motion of the boat caused us to sway as I studied Kensie’s face. “Emme texted me earlier today. Told me she wanted to talk in person when I return to Houston.”
The way I dropped the bomb that Emme wanted to meet up with me was like a record being scratched, stopping the melodic flow. Her eyes narrowed, and I watched Kensie anxiously for her reaction.
Kensie jabbed the leather space between us. “She can’t pick up a phone for me, but she contacts you? Are you planning to meet up?”
I grabbed her shaky hand. “Only if you come with me, and we explain together. I’m not trying to get caught up in drama or have you believe I still want her.”
Her eyes were now slits. “Why? What did she say?”
“She wanted to know if I still had feelings for her. When I said no, she asked to see me as if once we were in the same place, my feelings would change.”
Kensie shrieked. “What the fuck? It’s been eight years, and she has a whole fiancé! Why does she want you now? And how does she still have your number?”
I shut my eyes briefly. “You’ve got to promise me you’re not going to go Terminator on me if I tell you.”
She shook her head. “I can’t make any promises. My stomach already hurts.”
“Mine too because I don’t want to ruin this night,” I admitted before confessing in a rush, “Emme and I were seeing each other off and on over the years. Nothing heavy. Just sex on occasion. Usually, in Houston, though we’ve met up in other cities. She always reached out, and I obliged.”
“When was the last time?” she quietly asked, though I could sense her growing anger. Maybe surprising Kensie with a dinner trip on a yacht was enough excitement for one night.
“Two years ago, right before she got engaged. She wanted to do it one last time.” I flinched, already anticipating her wrath.
She hissed, “You told me you don’t do married women.”
“I don’t. She wasn’t and isn’t married, and that was the last time.”
Kensie’s brown face flushed red. “No wonder she won’t take my calls. She’s still hung up on you.”
“That’s not my fault. I never promised her anything, and she always reaches out to me to connect. Besides, she never told me you and she were still friends.”
“Would that have made a difference back in Jamaica?”
I smirked. “I might not have known about you, but you knew it was possible she still had feelings about me and still had sex with me. So, I think it wouldn’t have mattered.”
This time, Kensie folded her arms and glared.
“I didn’t expect you and me, and I didn’t expect her ever to call me again. Why are you ready to throw me overboard?” My voice comically raised an octave at the end of my sentence. I had to ease the tension, or she might really push me off my yacht.
“Being with you when she last dealt with you eight years ago is different from discovering she’s been with you all these years, and after she met Matt. I never thought she would cheat on him.”
I sighed in frustration. “Now what? You ignore your feelings about me because of loyalty to your friend, who never even told you we were hooking up? How close is she really to you?”
Kensie countered, “She probably didn’t tell me you were hooking up because she knew how I felt about you.”
I took her cocktail out of her hand and placed both our drinks on the table in front of us. “How did you feel about me back then? What did she tell you about me?”
Kensie waved her hand and snorted. “Come on, Canaan. You knew I couldn’t stand you. Hated that Emme couldn’t see through you. I knew you would break her heart, and you did.”
“It was mutual. We weren’t good for each other,” I replied, wondering what exactly Emme had said. We messed around on each other the whole time, and it’s obvious she hadn’t told Kensie the entire truth.
“Whatever . . . I was there, remember?” The stubborn set of her chin told me that no matter what I said, she wouldn’t believe me.
Clearing my throat, I started again, “I didn’t trust women.
My mother’s disappearance did a number on me, and girls only seemed to want what I had and how I looked with them.
Those experiences scarred me in ways that I didn’t realize until now.
Whenever I got too close to a woman, I got scared and did stupid shit to get out of the relationship.
Like I did with Emme. I never loved her the way she wanted anyway, and when she continued seeking me out, I chalked it up to the lifestyle that she loved. ”
Her eyes scrutinized my face. “You and she are done, done?”
“For two years. No contact until today.” I picked up her hand. “We can talk to her together, or I can tell her that there’s no need to meet in person because I’m with you and she has a man. What do you want me to do?”
“Whatever I decide, you’ll do it?” Kensie asked. Wariness drained her face.
“Whatever you want me to do, I will.” I squeezed her hand. “She doesn’t mean anything to me, and I’m telling you because I don’t want any secrets between us. Can you at least give me credit for being honest with you?”
She nodded. “Let’s just wait until we return to Houston, and we can meet with her together.”
“Okay. Thank you, baby.” I kissed her knuckle. “Now, I’m asking again, does my money change how you see me?”
Kensie promptly responded, “I think you’re an arrogant son of a bitch three days out of the week.”
“That’s fair.” With bated breath, I asked, “The other four days?”
The ends of her lips curved slightly. “Why are you a glutton for punishment?”
“Tell me,” I insisted, hoping Kensie could see that what she thought of me was important to me.
“The other four days, your money does cover up that you’re an asshole.”
I pressed my hand over my heart and frowned. “Seriously?”
Kensie laughed loudly. “You should see your face. I’m joking. It’s not about your money. Much to my surprise, the other four days, you are so much fun to be around. Like, I would rock with you even if we didn’t have this arrangement. Honestly, I miss you every time you leave the house.”
My chest finally unclenched. “I can’t wait to get home every day to see you too.”
She pressed her lips against mine. “I love that you see the Miami house as home because it feels like it when you’re around.”
I rubbed my nose against her fragrant neck. “Are you actually giving me another compliment? Twice is more than I can hope for.”