Page 98 of The Version You Hide

I shrug. “Yeah, I guess.”

“She was out of her mind the day she thought she was going to lose you. You aren’t alone, Kenz. You need to learn to accept help from others every once in a while.”

I know that my sister cares for me. I wouldn’t be living in this house if she didn’t. She’s given me more than any other person on the planet, and I’ll always be thankful for her. I just hate this constant third wheel feeling I keep getting in her and Henley’s presence.

“I’ll tell her,” I say. “Eventually.”

He offers a small nod before moving to the other corner where the easel that Pamela gifted me stands, the blank canvas perched upon the rail. The paints are all laid out in front waiting for inspiration to strike. “What are you going to paint?”

“I don’t know yet,” I tell him because it’s still true. My head is so full now, of thoughts, emotions, and theories. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to move past this block on my creativity.

A cheeky smirk lifts one side of his mouth. “Well, I’d offer to model but I’m not sure if nudes are your thing.”

Despite the day we’ve had, I can’t help but crack a smile. His lips twitch at the sight as his eyes slice to mine.

“Thank you,” I say again. “For being there for me.”

He nods again, lingering on the far side of the room. “Always. I care about you, Kenz.”

“I’m starting to see that,” I say.

Because I am. Trust has never come easy for me. I’ve been burned way too many times, but Dylan’s constant support has shown me that if there is one person in this world, I can count on to get me through those dark days, it’s him.

I move across the room in slow strides until I’m standing in front of him. He reaches up slowly, taking my face in his hands, then he leans down to press a gentle kiss to my mouth. It’s so soft, so tender, it makes my eyes water.

“I’m sorry,” he says quickly when he sees me reach up and swipe at the moisture.

“Don’t be,” I say. “I’m not that fragile, Dylan.”

“Fragile?” His forehead creases in a frown. “I know you aren’t, Kenz. When I said you were the strongest person I know, I meant it. I just don’t want you to think that I would ever take you for granted.”

“You’ve already proven to me that you aren’t like my ex, if that’s what you’re worried about.” I step forward, filling the space between us, planting my hands on his chest. “I know exactly what kind of guy you are.”

“You do?”

“I do.” I nod as his eyes search mine. “You’re the kind of guy that will stick up for a lowly barmaid when his parents call her a gold-digger.”

A soft laugh rumbles through his chest, vibrating the hard, toned muscle beneath my fingers.

“The kind that will take me out for a day just to help me get my mind off things.”

His hands slide to my hips as mine travel downward, my fingers twisting in his t-shirt. I move forward, forcing him to take a step backward in the direction of my bed.

“You’re the guy that took me home and cared for me when you found me in the rain.” My hands find the hem of his shirt, creeping beneath the fabric, his skin hot under my palms.

Another step forward for me sends him edging further back.

“Kenz.” The way he utters my name, low and breathless causes my heart to beat out of sync.

“You held me when I cried,” I say, inching him back further until the backs of his knees are flush with the mattress. A gentle shove has him sitting on the bed in front of me. His arms curl around my thighs.

“You made me pancakes,” I whisper.

I’m suddenly acutely aware of how wrong I had it. The way I feel in Dylan’s presence is nothing like the way I’d felt with Ethan in the beginning.

Not even close.

I push away the thought of him, ashamed to have let him take up space in my head in this moment that is meant for only us. Dylan and I alone.

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