Chapter 11 #2
As much as Aleck was enjoying her support, he still wanted to make sure she understood why he was telling her the story.
“She got under my skin—in the worst way. I didn’t date for over a year after that because I couldn’t trust anyone, and when I finally started, I was much more careful when it came to telling anyone about my wealth.
Hell, I might’ve even been able to handle the bitch wanting to be with me because of my money; at least that wouldn’t be very surprising.
But the fact that she wanted to marry me because my job is dangerous, and she was counting on me getting killed in action so she could get her hands on my money sooner…
that was nearly impossible to wrap my head around. ”
Kenna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I understand. I’d probably be just as wary as you are if I was in your shoes.”
Aleck couldn’t believe she was letting him off the hook so easily. “I should’ve said something,” Aleck told her. “It was cowardly of me.”
“I didn’t really give you a chance,” Kenna offered. “And I was pretty judgmental about rich people. I’m sorry for that.”
“Still. I could’ve said something before we got out of the Jeep. Or when you told me your plan on getting past Robert at the security desk. Or even after we were sitting on the beach.”
“Are you seriously trying to talk me into staying pissed at you?” Kenna asked with a small laugh.
Was he? It hadn’t been his plan, but now that she’d pointed it out, Aleck realized that was exactly what he was doing. Unintentionally, but still. “Shit,” he muttered.
Kenna giggled, and the sound seeped into his pores and settled into his heart.
“You hurt me,” Kenna said honestly. “I was mortified when Elodie and Lexie let it spill that you lived at Coral Springs. I bitched about you to Carly on our way home from Food For All today, and you know what she said?”
“What?”
“That I was a bons. A reverse snob. She pointed out that most women would be over-the-moon excited if their boyfriends had money. I thought about that a lot this afternoon before I called. I’ve had so many people look down on me because of my job and tell me I could do so much better, that it’s made me wary of anyone who makes a ton of money.
I don’t like you because of what you do, Marshall.
Or because of how much is in your bank account.
I like you because of who you are. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I don’t like secrets.
Is there anything else I need to know? Any other big reveals you need to make? Now’s the time if you do.”
“No. Although I have to point out again that there’s a lot I’ll never be able to tell you about my job,” Aleck said a little warily.
“I understand that, and it’s okay. I’m more concerned about things like you having a fatal disease or that you’re married with children or something.”
“No, absolutely not. Kenna?”
“Yeah?”
“I really am sorry. I hate that I made you feel bad.”
“Me too. But now that I know, we’re moving on. I had fun with the girls today.”
“Yeah?”
“Uh-huh. Did you know Lexie’s friend Theo is a damn good artist?”
“He is?”
“Yeah.”
For the next few minutes, Kenna talked about her day and about the mural Theo had painted on the wall of the annex of Food For All. Then they talked about Carly and if she’d seen Shawn—she hadn’t—and how the rest of the day had gone.
“I know you work the next three nights, but I was wondering if maybe we could hang out Friday for a while?” Aleck asked. “Maybe go to lunch?”
“Don’t you have to work?” Kenna asked.
“If you had time, I was going to ask my commander if I could take a few hours off. I just…I want to see you. Apologize in person. Make sure we’re okay.”
“We’re good,” Kenna told him. “And you don’t have to apologize again.”
“Yeah, I think I do,” Aleck said.
“I’d love to have lunch with you on Friday,” Kenna told him.
Aleck let out the breath he’d been holding. “And we’re still on for Sunday? For the swap meet and dinner?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
“So…is the view from your balcony as good as Elodie and Lexie said it was?” Kenna asked.
“Yes,” Aleck said simply.
“I can’t wait to see it,” Kenna said.
Aleck fully relaxed for the first time since he’d read her text earlier. Instinctively, he knew not telling Kenna about his money could be an issue, but he hadn’t realized how terrified he’d be that she’d tell him she didn’t want to see him anymore.
Kenna was different. Special. And he wanted to see where their relationship could go. And making her feel humiliated wasn’t exactly the best way to bring them closer. But he felt ten pounds lighter now that she knew.
They continued their conversation after that, about everything under the sun.
Their jobs, friends, families, hometowns, she even told him a little about her accounting job back in Pennsylvania.
He told her some funny stories about SEAL training and admitted that it was the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life, but it was the thing he was most proud of as well.
When Kenna yawned, he glanced at his watch and saw they’d been talking for an hour and a half.
It wasn’t exactly late, but Kenna had been busy all day, not to mention probably extremely worked up over what she’d learned about him.
This was her one night off all week, and he wanted her to get some sleep.
“I’m gonna let you go,” he said gently. “You’re tired.”
“I shouldn’t be. On a work night, I probably walk about twenty-five thousand steps. I haven’t come close to that today.”
“Still,” Aleck said. “Get some sleep.”
“Okay. Marshall?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for being honest with me.”
“Thank you for coming to me with what you heard. Communication is the key to a good relationship, and while I obviously failed at that, I promise to be better.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow?” she asked.
“Of course. I’ll call during my lunch as usual,” he told her.
“Okay.”
“Sleep well, babe.”
“I will. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Aleck hung up the phone and collapsed back against the cushions of his couch. He stared into space as he did his best to process everything. He knew he could’ve lost Kenna. He hadn’t meant to embarrass her, and he’d do anything in his power never to do so again.
It was crazy how fast a woman could change his life.
He lived to talk to her and to hear how her day was going.
Even though they’d only hung out in person a couple of times, he craved more.
It sucked that their schedules were so different, but that wasn’t going to deter him.
He had a feeling Kenna could be the best thing that ever happened to him, and he made a pledge to do everything in his power to show her how much she meant to him.
With that thought, he shot off a text to Elodie, asking for dinner menu suggestions. He wanted Sunday to be perfect, to prove to Kenna that he was a man she could rely on, trust, and be happy with.