Page 47 of Not In Love

Kash stared at him, heart sinking. She wanted to push, to demand answers, but she was terrified of shattering the fragile bond between them. If he was angry or upset about something, she would give him space to work through it. Wait for him to come to her.

It struck her then—how grounded and mature he had always been. How he’d dealt with loss of soccer—to which he’d given nearly two decades of his life—and turned the loss into a new purpose with the soccer academy. How easily he had settled into fatherhood, even when Kat had still been struggling.

The decision to abandon a pregnant Kat, when she had desperately needed him, stuck out like a mismatched puzzle piece, all ugly and wrong.

Her mind whirled in the background as she tried to stay in the present. “Do you really have access to the kinds of resources that you claimed?”

“Yes.”

She nodded, coming to a decision. “Can you reach out to some of Josh’s old friends? Set up an intervention? Maybe get him a spot at the Serenity Hills clinic again? I can’t be part of it. I think I’m a trigger for him.”

Diego’s expression didn’t soften, but he was listening again. “Why?” he asked, not unkindly. “Why go to such lengths for him?”

She looked away. “Because he’s Simon’s son and I loved Simon. I want to help him get better, if there’s even a remote chance.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Why didn’t you tell anyone he was harassing you?”

Kash shrugged. “There was no one else to tell. Until now,” she added but he already turned away.

Without another word, he walked out, shutting the door behind him with a soft click.

Kash stared after him like a lost puppy, suddenly aware that it was the first time he had walked away from her. And only now, when he’d taken away his easy smiles and soft words and comforting presence did she realize how she’d taken them for granted. How tangible his care for her was.

‘Just sex’ sounded laughable in her own head.

Sinking to the floor again, she wrapped her arms around her knees.

The weight of his absence settled over her like a raw ache. He hadn’t yelled. But the quiet retreat hurt more than anything. Especially since all he’d done today was stand up for her.

Even with his anger toward her, she knew he would still make the calls. That he would pull together a team, talk to Josh’s friends, find a spot for him at the clinic. That he’d take care of it all.

Because she’d asked.

Because he always looked out for her. Even when she didn’t deserve it.

And for the first time in her life, Kash knew what it meant to be cared for, without her having to be perfect.

Scarily enough, she didn’t want to lose the taste of it, ever again.

CHAPTER15

The bar smelled like citrus and cedar-wood, the fancy cocktail menu trying to class up what was essentially a high-end sports pub.

TVs hung silent over the dark wood paneling, looping highlights from European matches, and the leather booths were deep and worn in.

Late afternoon Portland rain tapped at the big front windows, casting a soft gray haze over everything. Matching Diego’s mood.

He took a long pull of his beer and watched the city blur through the glass. His phone buzzed on the table. Again.

A third message from Muriel about the fitting for his wedding outfit. Shaking his head, he switched over to read the string of texts that Kash had been sending him all day yesterday and today.

Got the sparkly shoes for Tia. Your credit card’s taking the hit.

Your mom just asked me if I know any hot nurses to set you up with.

She specifically said no doctors.

Apparently a doctor would be too busy to give you the time and attention you deserve.

---