Page 63 of Ink & Stardust

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving, Kai?” Charlotte bats her long lashes at him as he settles onto the stool next to mine, his scent blanketing me in a way that makes it almost impossible not to lean into him so I can breathe him in more deeply.

I glance in his direction, trying not to let on that I’m at all shocked to see him here, even if I am. Last time we spoke, he had plans with a couple buddies of his, none of whom I’ve actually met.

Did he come here for me or is him being here a complete coincidence? No way he just walked in the door and happened to notice us right away, right? Like he had to know we were here. And if that’s true,howdid he know we were here?

“I’ll be spending the day with my grandmother and then the evening at...” His hand slides across my leg and I lose my breath.

“My house,” Maisie finishes.

“Me and Jackson have to defend our title.” His hand inches up toward my thigh, squeezing in a way that has me fighting not to jump right out of my stool.

“Title?” I look between the two of them, trying to seem completely unfazed by his hand warming a path straight to my...

“Every year my family does a big football competition after dinner. Kai and Jackson are always on the same team and theyalwayswin.” She huffs.

“Sounds like someone is still a little butt hurt over last year’s defeat.” He grins and I’m taken by the history between the two of them. I mean, obviously I’ve known that they know each other since the first night I met him, but I think I’m just now realizing howwellthey know each other.

“You would be too if you lost over a bullshit call. Whoever thought it was a good idea to put my half-blind grandfather as referee is beyond me.”

“I don’t know. I thought he did a pretty good job.”

“Of course you did. He was the MVP of your team.”

Kai laughs, the sound rich and deep.

“What are you doing here, anyway?” Maisie changes gears, the two exchanging a look that gives me pause.

“I’m meeting your brother here, actually.” His gaze drops to her drink.

Okay, so not here to see me... Noted. And before you ask, no, I am not disappointed by this fact.Not disappointed at all.

“Stop it.” She pales. “He’s coming here?”

“He and Evan.”

“Evan’s coming too?”

“Should be here any minute.”

“Shit. If I had known you were going to ruin my good time, I wouldn’t have told you where we were.” She picks up her drink and downs the entire thing in seconds. “We have to go. If my brother sees me here drinking, he’ll have my ass.” She moves to stand.

Wait...Maisietold him we were here.

“You realize I’m just fucking with you, right?” Kai’s hand releases my thigh and I’m both dejected and relieved, all at the same time.

“Are you freaking kidding me?” She gawks at him.

“I just met them for dinner. They’re likely home by now.”

“You’re an asshole,” she grumbles, dropping back down into her seat.

“Sorry, I just came here to steal this one.” He brushes his shoulder against mine and my heart rattles against my ribcage violently. So heishere for me? “I just couldn’t resist messingwith you.” He gestures around the table to our glasses. “Do I even want to know how you got these?”

“No.” Maisie grins sheepishly.

“Right. Okay, then.” He turns fully to me. “You wanna get out of here?”

“I... Um...” I desperately want to say yes but also don’t want to upset Char or Maisie.

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