Page 20 of Until Kendal

And be near Joel.My heart pounded with with a burning passion to know him, intimately. I had no idea what he saw in me or what he wanted, but my entire body melted near him. His body on mine played out like a vivid, full-color fantasy. Heat rose in my face, and I realized I was being ridiculous. Joel’s life was nothing like mine, so I clutched my hands in my lap and said, “I can’t afford New York.”

He shrugged. “You haven’t even seen the offer.”

I realized we were driving in a nice section of town. “Wouldn’t working for you disrupt whatever’s happening between us?”

He shrugged and hadn’t moved away. “Not unless you let it.”

I wasn’t cut out for his life. We both knew it, but butterflies grew in my stomach. “Maybe I should just invent a game where a girl can try new hair colors.”

He narrowed his gaze. “You’d have to think of how that might reward the person playing so they keep on changing hair.”

A hair color system to pick the perfect color for a face didn’t seem gameable, but I would sleep on that idea. Gaming wasn’t me, so I just said as the limo parked, “I’ll think about it.”

I glanced out the window at the posh shopping street as Joel said, “Just the game?”

The driver opened the door, and I followed Joel out. We were at the Hill Center Green Hills.

“About everything.” I glanced around and tilted my head. “What’s this?”

He directed me to H. Audrey. “Clothes.”

Boutique shopping wasn’t me. The clearance section was more my speed, but I walked with him. “More than just for a temporary vacation romance for you?”

He held open the door for me. “Well, it seems our moms want us to join them in Nashville.”

Maybe I if I said no, I would put the brakes on romance. I didn’t need clothes, but I decided whatever happened with Joel, just this one time, I wouldn’t destroy the gifts given in my life. So I sighed and said, “Let me look around and see what I like.”

“I’ll be here,” he said then spoke to the staff.

When they rushed to help me, I knew what it was like to be fawned over instead of being the salesgirl heaping praise on my customers. I realized it was false flattery from the clerks. Still, heat rose in my body because Joel watching me made me happy.

ChapterTwelve

Kendal

In my simple white cotton and silk dress, I was ready to go out. The shoes made me feel like a princess. I hadn’t meant to say yes to Christian Louboutin, but after years of seeing the iconic red bottoms on the shoes on TV, I’d relented to try on the pair.

I was now wearing them as Joel guided me to a restaurant, which meant my mom was close. There was no way my father could ever afford any of the spots nearby, so I relaxed.

We walked into a bistro, and near the back, my mother sat talking to a woman with dark hair streaked with gray. It was absolutely clear the grays were purposefully displayed as the lighter color brought out her cheekbones.

I hugged my mom, and Joel hugged his. Then I said as we sat, “Mom, Mrs. Norouzi.”

“Please call me Roxanne. I hear you’re keeping my son company on his trip.”

A waitress brought me a brownie ice cream sundae. They’d eaten without us, but I didn’t question it. Joel gazed at me, and for a second, it was like we were alone. I blinked and focused in on my brownie as I said, “We’ve been getting to know each other.”

His mother cupped his face. “Joel is a special soul, and he’s been single for a while, so I’m happy for them. If either you or Valerie need anything, call me.”

Then both my mom and Roxanne stood. I reached for my mom’s arm and asked, “Where are you both going?”

"We’re not interrupting young birds on a date," she said. "We have a spa appointment.”

My eyes widened as I imagined mother at a spa. We’d talked about it, but even getting her to let me do her hair was an argument. I let her go, though, then waved. “Mom, have fun.”

She patted Joel’s arm like she approved. “You too, Kendal. It’s okay to have fun.”

Those were more words I’d never thought she would say. After my father, she’d only ever criticized any man I might have been interested in. Joel was the exception to every rule.

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