Page 15 of Other Side Of Never
“Hey,” I called out to him.“I’ll be there in just a moment.”
He nodded back at me, his polite veneer firmly back in place.“No rush.”
Internally, I sighed.Whatever progress I thought I’d made at The Beaver Dam the other night obviously hadn’t stuck.
I should back off.
Kian was a grown man and didn’t need a babysitter or a nursemaid.
And he didn’t want a friend, at least he didn’t see me as a potential friend.
Besides, my interest was not altogether altruistic.I couldn’t deny just how badly I wanted to decimate that polite façade.
I needed to leave him alone.
Decision made, I approached his table.Distracted by that mask I hated so much, I hadn’t realized he was missing his mini man.
I smiled at him then raised my eyebrows.“Where’s Isaiah?Did you find a program for him at the Rec Center?”
Kian’s pretty mouth twisted to the side for a moment before he smoothed his expression.“Uh, Aaron and Nadine took him to Gabe’s for his daughter’s birthday party.”
I nodded slowly.
It’s none of your business, Bridge.
I nodded again, then to no one’s great surprise, I asked, “Are you making any headway with Aaron?”
He shook his head shortly.
I glanced up at the time.“My shift is over.”I paused, chewing my lip.
His eyes flew to meet mine.
Was that disappointment?
“No problem,” he answered.“I won’t keep you.Should I go to another table?”
I studied the lines of his face.Yeah, definitely disappointment.
And a deep-seated sadness.
Too bad this super power I had for reading people malfunctioned so fucking badly with my ex-husband.
I took a breath and smiled at him.“I’m starving.Do you mind company?”
He offered me a crooked smile and teased, “I see what you’re doing, Bridge.Don’t worry about me.I’m a big boy and I’ve been alone for a long time.I’m perfectly fine eating by myself.”He chuckled.“In fact, it might be nice to eat my food without having to field a million questions I don’t have the answers to.”
I smiled.“Well, I promise not to talk too much if you promise not to steal any of my French fries.”
His mouth softened.“Deal.”
Smiling, I knocked on his table.“I’ll be right back.”
He chuckled, “I haven’t ordered yet.”
Over my shoulder, I called back, “I’ll surprise you!”
Did you ever fucking think to ask what I wanted?
