I tell them how I met Kami, her resistance to giving me the benefit of the doubt, and how I had lied to her mother to get closer to her.

“Do you have any idea what you just did?” Jonathan’s voice fills with warning.

“I know.” I smirk. “Any chance Kiera could give me Kami’s number?”

If it weren’t for her constantly dodging me, I’d already have the damn thing in my phone by now.

“She’s going to fucking kill you; you know that?” Jake points out.

“I know, but she can’t. At least not until Thanksgiving is over.” While I feel a twinge of guilt about lying to such a sweet lady, the curiosity trumps that in comparison. “But seriously, could Kiera give me her phone number?”

“And do what with it?” Jonathan sends a knowing look.

“Just to tell her the wonderful news.” I can’t help but let my sarcasm run free.

“You know she probably won’t see it that way, right?” Jake shakes his head, still laughing.

“Oh, I’m counting on that.” I pause. “I only plan to tell her not what I did, but what I had to do.”

“Had or wanted to?” Jake challenges.

“Tomato, tomahto.”

“Don’t be surprised if a very angry woman walks into your bar today,” Jonathan warns.

“That’s the plan.” I smile. Anything to get her attention. Especially when she’s left me with no choice.

“You sure do have a death wish,” Jonathan shakes his head this time.

“Death wish or big balls? I can’t seem to tell,” Jake quips.

Jonathan texts Kiera, asking her to send him Kami’s number. I input the digits into my phone a few minutes later.

It’s true. She’ll definitely be pissed that I took advantage of her situation but will eventually understand I had no control. Not much, at least.

Her mom called me, not the other way around. Not my fault she jumped to conclusions.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Hope you enjoy her tearing you a new one.” Jake smirks.

I laugh, then walk into my office and close the door.

I press the phone to my ear and wait to hear her voice come from the other line. Instead, I’m met with her voicemail. Not ideal but still doable.

Once the beep goes off for me to leave a message, I start to give her a brief summary. The more I say, the more I start to wonder if I should find some protective gear for my balls.

Chapter Seven

Kami

“Oh, c’mon, it’s not that bad,” Kiera defends herself after I point out she has more stuff now than when she moved in. Boxes upon boxes that take up over half her room and some of the hallway. Her compact car is holding a third of it all.

“It is if you can’t fit it all in your car,” I point out.

“You’d be having the same problem if you were me, little Miss Shoe Whore.” She sends me a dubious stare.

She has a point. “That’s fair.”