Page 37 of Shattered

“What date do you want?”

“Christmas. Well, not actually on Baby Jesus’s birthday, but within a few days.”

“It would be beautiful for sure.”

“Right? We could have the venue decorated like a winter wonderland.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“Keaton doesn’t have the best memories surrounding Christmas.”

“Then give him new ones.”

The smells coming out of my kitchen were so enticing they were almost criminal. After a long day spent catering to the demands of customers at the diner, all I wanted was mycomfy flannel pajamas and Koen. I missed him last night, more than I anticipated.

It had been close to ten by the time I got home from Henley’s. Jett was sound asleep in his room, and I had no idea how late Koen was going to be. Curling up on the couch with my laptop situated in front of me, I tried to focus on the latest manuscript I was editing while I waited for him to get home. Before long, my eyelids drifted shut and the next thing I knew, I woke up this morning in my bed with my computer plugged into the charger on top of my dresser. He must have carried me there and, dammit, I slept through it all.

Scattered across the countertops were bowls in every size, each filled with different chopped vegetables or a sauce of some kind. Koen was at the stove with his back to me, so I took the opportunity to really drink him in. He was tall, a formidable presence, yet I’d never felt safer. His blond hair had gotten a little longer these past few weeks, falling just below the base of his neck, showcasing the natural wave of the strands. My eyes roved down his sculpted back, landing on his jean-covered butt. It was one of his best features, besides his eyes or his smile. Hell, Koen Banks was the whole package and it seemed, at least for now, he was mine.

“You can touch it if you want.” His deep voice startled me.

“What?”

“My ass.” He spun around, unleashing a panty-melting grin.

Busted.

“Maybe another time.”

“I’ll hold you to it.”

“What’s all this?” I waved my hand through the air.

“Taco Tuesday.” He turned back to the skillet on the stove, giving the meat another stir. “Why don’t you changeinto something more comfortable? Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.”

My stomach protested loudly as I climbed the stairs gingerly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten more at lunch than a few fries and a couple of bites of potato salad.

Pausing outside of Jett’s door, I knocked, then waited for his okay before entering. He looked up from his laptop when the door creaked open.

“How was your test?” I asked from the threshold.

“I’m pretty sure I aced it.”

“Of course you did. I never had any doubts.”

His fingers danced lightly across the keyboard and his eyes drifted to the right; a clear sign he was nervous about something.

I moved then, sitting on the edge of the bed at his feet. “What’s wrong?”

“Is Koen here for good?”

Of all the questions he could’ve asked, this one threw me off balance.

“I don’t know.”

“That’s fair, but tell me this. Do you want him to stay?”

“Yes,” I responded with zero hesitation.

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