Page 53 of Kyle

“What about you?” He turns and pins me with those gorgeous, warm eyes. “What’s your dream? What do you want to do?”

“Nope.” I shake my head. “Not telling.”

“Why not?”

“You’ll think it’s stupid.” I suddenly feel vulnerable.

“I’d never think someone’s dream was stupid.” His eyes pierce into mine.

“Fine, but it’s not big or typical.”

“Stop downplaying your dream. If it’s what you want, say it. Be proud of it. Then go after it.”

“Okay, okay. I want to have a family business.”

His brows furrow. “Do your parents own something?”

“No. I mean my own family—the one I want to start.”

“Really?”

I nod. “I’m ready to settle down. And I want my family to do something where we work together. We set our own time. We build something together. I’ve always thought it would be fun to work with my spouse and have our kids running around, causing mischief.”

“That’s not a stupid dream. Though, I have to say most people don’t want to work with their spouse.”

“I want mine to be my best friend—the person I want to tell first when something great happens or something terrible. And I’ve always wanted to work with my best friend.”

He clears his throat like he’s nervous. “Good thing you’ve got Rafe. Maybe you should work with him instead of me.”

When I think of my dream, Rafe is not who I imagine beside me. He’s not my best friend. He doesn’t fit any of what I just said. The realization has me finally facing what I have to do when we get home.

When I suddenly get quiet, Kyle’s piercing gaze hits mine. “What? Do you not?”

“I don’t think Rafe thinks of me that way. I thought things would blossom if we spent more time together, but it doesn’t feel serious to me.”

Kyle releases a breath he seems to have been holding. “Well, he’s an idiot if he doesn’t hold on to you for dear life.”

My eyes flick over his face, trying to read his thoughts. My phone buzzes at that moment, drawing my attention.

“Speak of the devil,” Kyle comments, sitting up.

“It’s not him.”

Kyle looks at me suspiciously. “Who else would be texting you in the middle of the night?”

“My ex,” I admit.

Kyle bristles at my words. “Why?”

“He won’t leave me alone.”

“Block him.”

“I can’t.”

Kyle’s eyes narrow, like he’s trying to read my face.

My shoulders slump, and I admit the one secret that casts a dark shadow over my life. “He has pictures of me.”

---