Page 37 of Infatuation

Shannon sighed as she picked at her food. Chris had been making all her favorite foods, including the Huli Huli chicken and rice she wasn’t eating at the moment. From the moment Kade had left her that morning, she’d hadn’t felt like eating. She still didn’t have an appetite, which was worrisome.

“You need to eat.”

She looked up at her brother, who was studying her as if she were going to fall apart. Okay, so she cried the first three days she was there, but she was done. Sort of. And sure, she hadn’t wanted to talk to any men. Not even Evan, whom she adored.

“I’m just not that hungry.”

He shook his head. “I told Cynthia that you weren’t eating enough.”

“And what did she say?”

“She said I was used to being with a woman who ate enough for five people.”

Jocelyn laughed. “She looks ready to explode.”

“Don’t say that around her. I had to help her get her tennis shoes on yesterday. She cried for an hour.”

She smiled at her brother. “Aw, and you couldn’t take it, you old softie.”

He grimaced then he frowned as his attention was drawn to something behind her. “What the fuck is he doing here?”

Her brother didn’t cuss that much, at least not in front of her. She turned to follow his line of vision and saw Kade.

Her breath tangled in her throat, and her heart started beating so fast she was amazed she didn’t pass out.

He looked wonderful—damn him. He was dressed in his service dress. He freaking looked like freakingRichard Gere. The restaurant had grown quiet. She was sure you didn’t see a Navy SEAL in full dress whites march into a local business on a regular basis in Honolulu.

He was looking around, and just for a second, she thought about slipping down in the booth and hiding. She wasn’t ready to deal with the churning emotions he brought about in her. A moment later, though, he caught sight of her and started in her direction. Lord, he was a sight to see. There was nothing like a SEAL on a mission, and apparently, she was his mission.

He strode toward her, every step sending panic racing through her.

“What the hell is he doing here?” she asked more to herself than anyone else.

“I don’t give a damn,” Chris muttered as he stood. “I’m going to kill him.”

She stood up and faced her brother. She loved him with all her heart, but she knew Kade and knew what he could do.

“I can take care of this.”

His frown turned darker. “I don’t want you to.”

“I can handle it. Besides, I do not want to help Cynthia raise that baby because you’re in a wheelchair for the rest of your life.”

“You don’t think I could handle him?” Pure astonishment filled his tone.

“Sure you can. Working behind a stove and running a restaurant gets you in shape to take on a killing machine like a SEAL.”

He made a face. “Okay, you have a point.”

She patted his cheek then turned to face Kade.

He stopped within a few feet of her and stared. The moment got awkward as he continued to gaze at her as if she were his salvation. He looked better, rested, and for a moment, she hated him for that. She hadn’t had a goodnight’s sleep in three weeks, and here he was looking like a million bucks.

She could feel everyone still looking at them. Something had to give, so she did what every Dupree knew how to do. She joked.

“Kind of dressed up for the occasion, Kade?’

He didn’t say anything, but his lips twitched.

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