Page 84 of My Salvation
“Hey, that’s important stuff. It matters.” Grimacing, I expound. “Maybe not the aristocrat, rich stuff, but the other stuff matters.”
Her hand twirls in the air. “What matters is if you can be a good friend. Can you be on your best behavior over dinner?”
I give her my haughtiest stare. “I am excellent company.” Laughing, I show her I’m kidding. “It’s all good, I promise.” Clapping my hands together, I ask Lev, “So, where are you taking us?”
He rolls his eyes at me before sliding over to give Kate a searching look. He must find what he’s looking for, as he turns and tells me, “We’re going to the Thai place up the road. Nothing fancy. I’ll drive you there, but you’re buying your own.”
“What kind of date is that?”
“Kate’s my date. You’re just crashing.”
“That’s no way to treat a man in a wheelchair.”
“It is when the man is as rich as you. And when you are trying to make up for being an ass.” He winks at Kate. “In fact, you should buy us dinner.”
“Not going to happen.”
As we get to his SUV, Lev picks me up and helps me into the back seat before storing the wheelchair. My face burns. I would give anything to be able to walk over and just get in the vehicle by myself.
“Have you eaten here?” Kate asks me as Lev starts the vehicle.
“Ever since they opened. My favorite is their Pad Kee Mao.”
“Mine, too! I eat here way too much, but I can’t resist.”
Kate smiles at me, and my breath catches. I think that’s the first real smile she’s given me. One without reservation. She’s breathtaking. She catches me staring at her and raises her eyebrow. Shaking my head, I give her one of my most smoldering looks. She laughs. Seriously. Laughs. I guess she doesn’t see me in that light. Gritting my teeth, I tear my gaze away from hers and look out the window.
At the restaurant, her good mood continues. Lev and I both laugh at her stories. Many of them are about her solo travels and the comical situations she runs into. Frowning, I look at Lev. I don’t like the idea that she travels to all these foreign countries by herself. He silently agrees and tells me he’s working on it. I sigh with relief.
“So, Thayer, where’s your favorite place?”
“It would have to be France. From Paris to St. Tropez, I love it all. The history is amazing.”
“I’ve never been to Paris.” Kate’s voice is wistful as she replies, “It sounds incredible. I should put that on my list, but it always feels like it was meant for lovers, not a single traveler.”
“Get one of my brothers to take you. I’m sure they would love to go. Lev loves visiting because of the food and wine.” Her smile returns as she looks softly at Lev.Or I could take you, I think to myself. Looking down at the wheelchair, my lips twist.Maybe another day. I change the subject by asking about her favorite place.
Later, as they drop me off at my accessible van, I pick up Kate’s hand and give it a squeeze. “Thank you for letting me crash your date. I hope to see you at the house soon.”
My hand tingles as I let go of hers. I watch as she lightly shakes her own.
Hmm, I wonder if I affect her more than I thought?
Blowing out a breath, I leave them at her apartment and head home. My mind is cluttered with a million different thoughts from the evening. And her. Smiling, laughing, animated as she tells a good story, her hand in mine at the end. I realize I’ve been a fool. A fool with a long road ahead of him.
