Page 29 of Fight For Her
Iwrappedmyarmpossessively around Kendahl’s shoulders almost as if she’d disappear if didn’t keep that physical anchor.
“Right on, right on. Let’s get this party started.” Aiden began to type on his phone lightning fast before Kendahl cleared her throat, interrupting him.
“Actually, Aiden, let’s schedule the interview for later today. I want to get myself camera ready first.”
She glanced up at me, eyes wide.
“Right. How about before dinner later? Meet in the lobby around five?”
That would give us plenty of time to get on the same page.
Aiden’s shoulders slumped as if he wasn’t used to having to wait for what he wanted. Jill noticed right away.
“Aiden, let my guests be. You’ll get your interview, but for now, go find your cousin. I haven’t seen her since last night.”
The change in Aiden’s expression after the scolding from his aunt was night and day. It reminded me just how young he really was.
“Alright, Aunt Jill.” He reached out to grip my palm and give me a handshake. “I’ll see you two later.”
Once he was out of hearing vicinity, Jill released a breath through her teeth. “Sorry about him, guys. I love my nephew dearly, but he wasn’t raised the way I’ve raised Kayla. My lovely sister hasn’t taught him the word no, and I have to say he’s a bit on the selfish side.” She sipped water from the glass in front of her. “I learned that after my fire. He didn’t care enough to use his platform to help out his own blood.”
Her face flushed and chest slumped in. I couldn’t let Jill be upset on her wedding weekend.Reaching past Kendahl, I gave her upper arm a light squeeze.
“Hey, that’s why your Krav family has your back, always. Let’s finish eating. If I remember correctly, we have some spa appointments to get to.”
It hadn’t escaped me that Kendahl relaxed into my side or that the corners of her lips turned up. I’d cheer up the whole island if it meant seeing her mood boost even a fractional amount.
“Thanks, Coby,” Jill said.
Mike gave his bride-to-be a side hug and a quick kiss on her cheek, then said, “Krav family forever.”
A warmth spread to my chest. Being here, with Kendahl by my side and my chosen family surrounding us, cemented my plan to get myself out of this limelight and keep Wyoming far away from my life.
As we dispersed clutching our umbrellas, I took Kendahl’s hand and pulled her away from the others.
“I think we should find somewhere quiet to talk,” I said.
She looked down at our connected palms, then back up to my eyes, her expression unreadable. We watched each other for a moment, hand in hand, before she gulped a breath. “Yeah, sorry. It’s just I’m not used to your touch anymore. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t…I don’t know, kind of weird.”
I circled my thumb against the outside of her palm. “Justkind ofweird? I can work with that.”I glanced out the foggy window at the sideways rain battering the outside of the bar. “Let’s go over here.”
I found us a little table in the back of the bar. It was still early enough that the place was empty anyway, but back here, tucked away, we were sure to be left alone.Kendahl situated herself in her chair and sat up straight as she pulled her hands away from mine and placed them on the table. This was her business persona, and the switch up was jarring.
She pushed a lock of hair behind her ears and finally met my gaze. I feigned a relaxed, couldn’t-care-less look even though my stomach was in knots, and I was waiting for her to speak first.
“I thought about our situation while I was in the shower.”
My ears perked up. “Oh yeah? How did oursituationlook in the shower?” I scooted closer and lowered my voice. “Better yet, how did it feel?”
“Oh my God, Coby. Keep it in your pants.” Her cheeks turned an adorable rosy pink.
I chuckled and gestured for her to go on.
“As I was saying, our situation…you know, the oneyougot us into when you told Aarons, and his one million viewers, that we were back together.”
She crossed her legs, shaking them violently enough to vibrate the table. Her brows knitted together, and she chewed at her full bottom lip.
“Okay,” I put my hands up in mock surrender. “So I had some wishful thinking. But it wasn’t me who started this whole going viral thing. That karaoke battle was all you. I merely showed off my superb singing ability.”
