Page 9 of Kennedy

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LEWIS WAS ALMOST LATEfor his lunch date with Seymour, but he didn’t think Seymour would care. If he asked, Lewis could always mention a flower emergency like he had the day he’d met his mate.

Metwas a big word. He and Kennedy hadn’t met. Lewis had seen Kennedy from afar, had freaked out, and had promptly run away. He hadn’t been back to the facility and wasn’t planning on going anytime soon, but that meant that he hadn’t seen Kennedy.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He wanted to spend time with his mate and get to know him, but part of him was terrified. Kennedy trained future professional assassins. He’d probably seen and done so many exciting things, and here Lewis was, owner of a flower shop, tied down to this town. He’d traveled—of course he had. All Nix traveled because it was so easy for them to move from one place to another—but he liked this little town. He wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon, but he didn’t know about Kennedy’s plans.

Seymour had mentioned that the program was almost over. Once it was, there would be no one for Kennedy to train. What would he do then? Would he stick around and find something else to do, or would he have to move? What would Lewis do if Kennedy did? He didn’t want to let go of his mate, but he didn’t have a reason to ask Kennedy to stay since Kennedy didn’t know they were linked that way.

Lewis didn’t know anything about the future, but he did know that he wanted Kennedy in his life. He just wasn’t sure how to make it happen.

He pushed his way into the coffee shop, looking around for his brother. Seymour was sitting at a table by the window, reading something on his phone as he sipped coffee. Lewis smiled at the sight of a second cup on the other side of the table because it meant he wouldn’t have to get in line. There was even a sandwich, which was what he usually ate during the week. He closed the shop for lunch, but he disliked cooking, and he did so as little as he could.

He flopped onto the empty chair at the table and unwound the scarf from his neck. “Thanks,” he said, grabbing the coffee as soon as he was free of his jacket.

“You’re late,” Seymour murmured.

“Yeah, sorry.”

“Another flower emergency?”

“No. I just had someone coming in for an apology bouquet, and I don’t know what the guy did, but he bought the biggest bouquet I’ve ever made.”

“Maybe you should try that.”

Lewis blinked, confused. “What are you talking about?”

“You know, to apologize for running away.”

Seymour couldn’t know anything. Lewis had been careful with his thoughts and his feelings, just in case. He and Seymour could communicate through their minds, like most Nix families, and Lewis hadn’t wanted to slip up. He shouldn’t have forgotten how well his brother knew him. “I have nothing to apologize for. I had to go to work. Besides, you said I didn’t have to stay long, and there were plenty of other people around to entertain you, including your mate.”

Seymour put down his phone and leaned forward. “I’m not talking about me.”

“Who are you talking about, then?” Lewis asked, even though he was pretty sure he knew.

“You tell me. Why did you run the other day? And don’t say anything about a flower emergency because they’re not a thing.”

“They are. I mean, look at the bouquet I sold today. That was definitely an emergency.” If Lewis had to guess, the guy had cheated on his wife and had been found out. If that was what had happened, the bouquet wouldn’t be enough. Hell, Lewis hoped nothing would be. Cheaters deserved to be alone.

“You’re not going to tell me, then?” Seymour asked. He appeared a little awkward, which was the last thing Lewis wanted.

He sighed. This wasn’t something he could keep to himself indefinitely. If he wanted help with Kennedy, he needed to tell Seymour about him. Maybe doing so would help him understand Kennedy better. Seymour wasn’t friends with Kennedy, but they’d been working together for months, and they knew each other.

He sighed and sipped his coffee for a moment as he thought. “Iamgoing to tell you. I always planned to, but I needed some time to wrap my mind around everything.”

Seymour nodded. “I get it. I remember what it was like when I first walked into the facility. It’s intimidating.”

“I wasn’t uncomfortable because of the facility.”

“The other trainees, then. I get that, too, although I promise that most of them are good people.” He bit his lower lip. “I know this isn’t what you wanted for me, but I know what I’m doing.”

“I have nothing against the facility or your friends. I just walked into that room and saw my mate, and I panicked.”

Seymour’s eyes went wide, and he leaned forward so quickly that Lewis jerked back. He stared at his brother with wide eyes, wondering what was next.

“What do you mean, you saw your mate? How can you tell me that as if you’re explaining you found discount soda at the grocery store?”

“That sounds oddly specific.”

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