Page 20 of Kyle

She grunts out a laugh. “Oh, I’m pretty sure.”

“Quit rubbing it in. You were right. Thank you for saving my chili and my ass.”

“You’re welcome.” Her grin grows. “Hey, look. We’re having an actual conversation.”

“We’ve had conversations,” I defend.

“You’ve barely spoken two words to me since I came to town. What gives?”

A customer walks up, and I wait on him, thankful for the distraction.

Of course, she doesn’t let me off the hook, and starts up as soon as we’re making the order.

“Did I offend you, Kyle?” Her voice is soft.

“Nope,” I reply, not looking up from what I’m doing. I don’t want to see her concerned expression, and I don’t want to get sucked under by sad, puppy-dog eyes.

“Am I not good enough for your brother? Is that it?”

I sigh. “I don’t think that.”

The chicken chili is ready, and we dish up three servings along with my mother’s cornbread recipe, and pass them to the man and his companions.

“Well, what is it?” she asks.

“You don’t let up, do you?”

“Nope.”

“This is exactly why this isn’t going to work. This is why I told Rafe this was a mistake.”

“You told him this was a mistake? He told me you were looking for help. If not, then why did you agree to it?”

I fling a hand toward the window. “Because he showed up and pushed it on me.”

“You mean pushedmeon you.” She unties her apron. “If you want me gone, I’ll go.”

“Look, I tried to avoid him for exactly this reason.”

“What reason?”

“Because we’ve got no business spending hours on end together. Especially in these tight quarters where we can’t escape each other.”

“You need to escape from me?”

I stop and slap the rag on the counter. “Don’t play dumb. You know why.”

“Maybe you need to learn to say no to your brother. I’ve noticed you never seem to do that.”

“I can say no to Rafe.”

She crosses her arms. “Really? When’s the last time?”

“Just get back to work.”

“Maybe this arrangement might help the two of you. Ever think of that?”

“Help us? How?”

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