Page 7 of Until Kendal

I heard Joel and instantly wondered what his kiss might be like. Desire made my mouth water, though I curled my nose at the thought. I wasn’t a dog in heat. “I’m fine. Just in shock of today.”

“Take as much time as you need. Your job is here whenever you’re ready to come back.”

I swallowed and glanced up at the white ceiling. “I hope I’m not sore tomorrow.”

“If you need anything, text or call.”

The Maysons were good to me. They really had tons of enterprises around town and kept me employed. I wouldn’t bother any of them too much. “Thanks, Ellie.”

Ellie was a sweetheart—that was one of the reasons I considered her a friend, not just a boss.

I walked and stood outside Joel's open door. He was texting while speaking on his phone about signing something. I headed back to my room and decided to call my mom, Valerie. On the second ring, she answered, and I asked fast, “Mom, are you almost ready to go?”

“You’re calling early.”

She had no idea about my day. I never wanted to stress her out. “I checked us into a hotel for the time being.”

"You don’t need to spend money like that.”

My muscles tensed. That was fair. I had no extra money, as there was always a bill. I refused to mention Joel, though. “I… We need to be safe. I figure being close to the police is a good idea until I figure out what to do next.”

“Your father hasn’t contacted you, has he?”

I cringed. "No. Did he call you?”

“No. I think he’ll stay away. Don’t spend your money.”

I closed my eyes. She needed an answer she’d believed, and even at the worst of our lives, she’d found a way to bury herself, to not see what was happening. I’d cleaned her face so many times when she insisted she’d fallen. Now I rocked on my feet and lied. “It’s not about him, only. I want you… to meet my new boyfriend and enjoy the week.”

“So you haven’t just been working all the time?” She giggled teasingly.

My eyes widened as butterflies grew in my belly. Once again, she believed what she wanted. I continued the story, despite how my pulse pounded. “I have. He’s from New York.”

“I’ll be ready in a half an hour.”

I let out breath and pushed the phone into my back pocket. A small white lie wasn’t my normal, but I needed to keep her safe.

As I turned, though, I stared into the warm light-brown hues that made my skin buzz with awareness.

He stood at the open door, his lips curved upward. “I’m happy to be your boyfriend.”

My heart pounded, but I waved him in. Yes, his room was much bigger than this one, but the whole place didn’t need to know our business. Once I was sure we were alone, I asked, “You heard that?”

“I came out to find you, figure out the car schedule, and grab my boxes, but now as the man in your life, I want you to invite me to go pick your mom up.”

My heart hammered. "Man in my life" was my fantasy, at best. We’d been talking about what I needed to do before his call interrupted us. My hair stood on end. “Did you hear anything else?”

“That I’m from New York, which is partially true. I also have a home in Beverly Hills.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course you do. Next time I’m in California, come over to my Bel Air mansion so we can do brunch.”

“Sarcasm is sexy on you.”

My body jumped. I never had time for men, but Joel was tempting. Heat rose to my cheeks as I shook my head. “Money isn’t a normal thing in my life.”

He shrugged. “It wasn’t always with me either. Honestly, I tried to erase that part of my past, but this trip—and you—remind me that I can’t.”

Whatever had brought him to me, even for one night, I was grateful. “Joel, well, don’t go over the top with stories like that. I prefer to keep it real.”

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