Page 129 of Save Me

Jersey grins as she looks at Kennedy. “He’s been more tolerable over the past couple of months. Nice dress, by the way,” she tells Kennedy.

“Thank you. I love yours, too.”

Kennedy and Jersey continue to compliment one another, and before I know it, they’re in a conversation all their own. I never realized how much it mattered to me whether Kennedy got along with the limited family I have.

Taehyun and Jersey are it. We didn’t grow up together, so there aren’t shared childhood memories, but for the past ten years for Taehyun and eight years for Jersey, they’ve been the family I never truly had.

“There’s Bill from the Global Group,” Jersey tells us. “Taehyun, he’s the only one you haven’t met in person.” She tugs her brother’s arm. “Let’s go meet him.”

“You’re with me,” I tell Kennedy as Jersey and Taehyun leave us.

She looks up at me through her long lashes and gives me a bright smile that almost stops my heart.

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” she says, retaking my arm.

“I’m not just talking about tonight. For eternity,” I add, looking at her in those beautiful eyes I can’t imagine not being able to stare into.

Kennedy’s lips part, but a masculine voice interrupts from behind us.

“Eternity is a long time.”

Kennedy whips around with wide eyes. “Daddy,” she says, sounding like she just got her hands caught in the cookie jar. A beat later, a smile replaces the surprised expression.

“Hi, Dad, Mom.” She pulls her mother into a hug first.

I observe the obvious affection between the two. At about the same height, with similar facial features and warm smiles, Kennedy is almost like a younger version of her mother. The only difference is that her mother’s skin is a few shades darker, and her hair is styled in sister locks, which she’s placed in a stylish updo. Kennedy’s wearing her hair down because she knows I like it that way. At least, that’s what I assume.

My attention moves from the two women to Kennedy’s father, Aaron Townsend. Even as he hugs his daughter, his sharp gaze remains on me. No, it’s not a gaze. He’s glaring at me.

I return his stare with a neutral look.

“Mom, Dad, this is Dae Kim, my date. And, well …” She pauses and looks at me. Then, with a smile, she adds, “We’re dating.”

Knowing that she doesn’t attempt to keep her physical distance from me in the presence of her parents does something to me. I wouldn’t have let her either way, but having her voluntarily wrap her arm in mine fills my heart with something I’ve never felt before—or only maybe rarely felt.

Pride?

I think that’s it.

Though, I don’t like the word dating. It’s far too innocent for what we’re doing.

“Mr. and Mrs. Townsend, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I nod and say to both of her parents.

Her mother appears genuinely happy to hear the news and to meet me. “Kennedy says you’re the owner of the Black Opal.”

“Yes, that’s correct. Along with my two cousins and business partners,” I answer.

Her mother smiles and then wrinkles her forehead. “Your face looks familiar.”

I stiffen slightly, at the thought that her mother could recognize me from that day in the alleyway. But then I remember that’s impossible. I snuck away like the coward I was back then before she could see me.

She snaps. “Where do I know your face from?”

“Eternity is a hell of a long time,” Aaron Townsend interrupts. His eyes are now narrowed, and his scowl is slightly more pronounced.

I give him a half smile. “Not long enough.”

His mouth tightens. “You know him because Brutus included a photo of him when he gave me the rundown that I requested,” her father says to her mother, but his glare remains on me.

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