Page 25 of Refuel

“Not at all, baby.” I kissed her cheek and stood back as she turned the lights on and sped out of the parking structure in her Audi.

“Damn, she’s going to be a handful,” I said aloud and walked back into my building to sleep for the day.

The next morning, I was up eating breakfast that my housekeeper made for me. I’d recently hired someone to help out around when I was away, and she came highly recommended through Rylee. I felt someone staring at me and looked up to catch Cicely eyeing me suspiciously.

“What?”

“Kash, you need to be more responsible,” Cicely said.

“What happened to Mr. Coleman?” I teased. I liked getting under her skin. She reminded me of a second mom. She’d been with me for two months now, and I often heard about how I was living the playboy life that would end with me alone and heartbroken if I didn’t commit to someone.

“That lasted one day, until I could figure you out,” Cicely joked, and I burst out in laughter.

“I thought it was my job to research and figure you out. How did I end up at the wrong party?”

“Because you run around and do God knows what with these girls. I have to hear about it from your mom and see it in these tabloids,” Cicely mentioned.

“You can’t believe everything in the paper, Cicely.”

“Oh, I know. But your latest situation is close to home.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know the Pierce family very well and if you hurt my baby—” I raised my hand, cutting her off.

“Woman, tell me who you’re talking about before you threaten me. So dramatic at times, Cicely,” I said aloud even though I meant to think it in my head. Now, she had a harsh glare across her face.

“Sorry, Cicely.”

“You know better,” Cicely said, wiping the counter down and putting the leftover juice in the fridge.

“Are you talking about Arianna?”

“Yes, and I know she can be tough at times and comes across like she has everything together. She’s the baby of the family and spoiled.”

“Oh, I know,” I answered.

“Which means you and your womanizing ways need to stay away if you aren’t going to do right by her.”

“Who said anything about me hurting her?”

“I see the type of guys she gets involved with, and you’re different. I can see her falling for you, and you’ve never been in love from what I hear from your mom. Except that damn Josie constantly popping up.”

“Josie’s a friend,” I said.

“A friend who has expectations of being more,” Cicely stated, removing my plate and tossing the leftovers away.

“Remind me to never tell my mom anything.”

“Stop being a brat and be honest with yourself, Kamden, you’re twenty-five and living your bachelor life. Nothing’s wrong with that but remember to be careful with the women you date,” Cicely said. I agreed, giving a thumb’s up.

“Thanks, Cicely.” I stood, kissing her cheek, taking a final sip of the orange juice, and placing the glass in the sink.

She waved me off with the towel, and I headed to get dressed for the day. Sliding on my jeans, I grabbed my phone and saw a few messages from Josie.

Josie: Kash, call me, please.

Me: What’s up, Josie?

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