Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kate
S hower sex; who knew? My limited previous experience with the sport had been awkward and disappointing.
I’d been too concerned with drowning to enjoy it.
Perhaps the showerhead shouldn’t have been pointed directly at my face.
Whatever. Bygones. I was starting a new life, one with a man who made sure I was thoroughly clean, sliding his soapy hands all over me, although he did have some favorite spots.
A man who made sure the nice, hot water was pulsating on our bodies, not directly up my nose. It’s the little things.
Aiden took off at a run afterward. It was okay, though.
I had plenty of stuff to do that didn’t involve him.
Like right now. I was sitting on my porch, drinking a cup of coffee, and thinking about last night.
Technically, that did involve Aiden, but it wasn’t necessary for him to be present for me to fantasize.
I was fully capable of doing that on my own.
I heard leaves crunch and looked up. Connor was strolling through the trees toward me and Chaucer.
“Shit, shit, shit, look innocent,” I whispered to him.
He stood, stretching, watching Connor approach.
“I mean it. Don’t rat me out, okay? There’s a bully stick in your future if you pretend nothing happened last night.
” He turned his head and stared at me. “Or this morning.”
“Good morning.” Connor paused at the bottom of the steps. “Are you okay, Katie?”
I sat up straighter and folded my hands in my lap. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He slowly climbed the stairs, studying me. “Well, your voice is higher than usual and you’re looking everywhere but at me.”
“What?” I popped up out of my chair. “Don’t be silly.
Just a nice, quiet, relaxing morning, just me and my dog, hanging out, not doing anything.
” I looked at my coffee cup, still avoiding eye contact.
If it had been Gran standing there, she’d have taken one look at me and asked what I’d been doing to put that guilty look on my face.
“Can I get you a cup of coffee?” I hazarded a look in his direction. He appeared puzzled but not suspicious. Luckily, Connor didn’t know me as well as Gran had.
“How much have you had this morning?” he asked.
My mind flashed on all the sex I’d had last night and this morning. “What?”
He pointed to my cup. “Coffee.”
I reached for the lifeline and clung. “Oh, sorry. Yeah. Too much, obviously! I’m a little wired right now.” I picked up my cup and ducked in the side door. “Be right back.”
I returned a few minutes later with coffee and a muffin for Connor. “In case you’re hungry.”
He picked up the muffin, seemingly surprised. “You make muffins, too?”
I shrugged. “I like to bake. They’re blueberry.”
He broke open the muffin and took a bite. “Mmm, delicious.” He nodded, looking out over Gran’s garden. “Did Aiden take care of you last night?”
I squeaked, “Uh...”
He focused on me again. “Aiden. Did he drive you home last night?”
I willed my pulse to slow. “Oh, right. No.” His brow furrowed, so I quickly continued. “I switched to water and we stayed longer. I chatted with people and danced. Jane made me sing. It was a full night.”
He grinned at the mention of singing. “Now I wish I’d stayed later. I’m sorry to have missed it.” He winked. “Feel like taking a drive to a restaurant supply store? I found one an hour or so northwest of here. How about we spend the day in Bangor?”
I sat up straighter. “I’d love to! Let me just go get changed into real people clothes.” I was wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt.
“Go ahead. I’ll just finish my muffin.” He shooed me away.
I returned ten minutes later with my curling hair piled in a loose bun, wearing jeans and a turtleneck with my new black coat.
Chaucer stood and wagged his tail, expecting to be invited.
I leaned over and gave him a hug and tummy scratch.
“Sorry, little man. I can’t take you. You’d be sitting in a car for hours.
” I walked him into the kitchen. “Come on. I’ll get you a treat. ”
The drive from Bar Harbor to Bangor was lovely. The trees blazed with color and the Saturday-morning traffic was light. Connor directed us downtown to a large warehouse in an industrial area.
“We’re not buying anything,” I assured him. “We’re taking pictures, making notes, measuring. We’re on a fact-finding mission only. Okay?”
He just smiled and nodded absently.
The warehouse was filled to bursting with furniture sets and fixtures, place settings and utensils, appliances and decor. The picture in my head of the diner changed with each new arrangement I saw, but we hadn’t yet hit on the perfect one.
My phone buzzed. When I pulled it out of my pocket, I saw I had a text from Aiden. I glanced around to make sure Connor wasn’t paying attention. He was talking with a salesperson, so I pulled up the message.
Aiden: Do you want to meet me downtown for lunch?
Me: Can’t. On a date.
Aiden: ...
Me: So far, so good. He’s nice and handsome. Tall, broad shoulders, blue eyes. I can send you a pic.
Aiden: ...
I took a quick photo of Connor sitting in a booth, his hand brushing the fabric, and sent it to Aiden.
Me: He took me to this fabulous place in Bangor.
Aiden: So, you’re saying that damn old man stole my girl and you’ll be gone all day?
My heart fluttered. My girl. I tried to shake it off. It probably was just a phrase; didn’t mean more than that, but...
Me: Your girl? Says who?
Aiden: I believe I just did. Why is he petting a seat?
My heart beat faster. I could feel my face reddening.
Me: We’re at a restaurant supply warehouse, checking out things for the diner.
Aiden: Hell, I was planning to take you to a place like that.
I smiled, warm and happy.
“Did you find one you liked?” Connor walked up next to me to see what had me smiling.
“Oh, no. I was just thinking.” I slipped the phone back into my coat pocket as we continued down the aisle. “There are a lot of beautiful furniture sets, but they’re just not right.”
He stopped walking. “We could go grab some lunch and then come back with fresher brains and eyes.”
“No. I’m okay. We only have a few more rows.” Connor looked tired, so I changed the suggestion. “You know what? I’m just going to run up and down the last aisles. You sit here and I’ll pick you up on the way back. Then we can go get that lunch.”
He nodded. “I wouldn’t say no to a rest.” He sat down on the nearest banquette and waved me away.
When I turned a corner, I pulled my phone back out.
Aiden: Kate? Call me when you’re on your way back to BH.
Me: Sorry. Connor snuck up on me. That man moves as silently as you do. I had to ditch my phone.
Aiden: Why?
Me: I didn’t want him to see who I was texting.
Aiden: Why?
I paused, not knowing how to answer that. Were we a couple? Or did he mean that friends texted, so what was the big deal? He called me his girl... What the hell were the rules for this kind of thing? My phone buzzed again.
Aiden: Don’t keep Pops out too late. He tires easily.
Me: I won’t. We’re going to lunch in a few and then we’ll drive back. Can we talk about the other stuff later?
Aiden: Of course. Drive safely and let me know when you get home. I’d like to see you tonight.
I stood for a few moments, lost in thought, drowning in memories of Aiden. Shit. I was supposed to be checking out furniture. I looked up and saw it, the perfect set. It was exactly as I’d pictured it.
I raced back around the corner. “Connor, come look!”
I dragged him to see the set, and we both agreed that it suited my vision. Then we headed to grab something to eat.
After lunch, we visited Paul Bunyan’s statue and took pictures. When Connor went to the restroom, I pulled out my phone again and texted Aiden the picture I’d taken of me with the giant.
Me: Look! Your taller, whiskered, axe-wielding twin!
I waited for a response until I saw Connor returning.
I felt my phone buzz just as I was dropping it in my pocket.
I made a half turn, blocking my phone arm.
He’d sent me a pic. I couldn’t wait until later, so I turned a little farther, opening my messages and clicking on the photo.
It was of Aiden standing in deep snow, laughing, and he had a beard.
Damn, how could he still look so gorgeous with half of his face covered in whiskers? It was bullshit, that’s what it was.
“Should we head back now?” Connor asked.
I turned, dropping my phone back into my pocket, and nodded. “Yep. Let’s hit the road.”