Page 61 of Crashing Into Me
Tonight, they would unveil the new diner, and Aunt Mae’s would be serving the masses. After the photo ops and interviews, he could finally handle the other piece of business he had with his mother and Kim—then he could focus on the future. Lana helped him put on his tie, which completed the suit he was wearing. Vera Wang for men, and boy, did he look good in it. He kissed her on the lips once his ensemble was complete.
“You look very dashing, Mr. Capshaw,” she said, smiling brighter than a noon sun.
“I wish it were you up there with me tonight,” he replied as he smoothed the tie down his stomach.
“I know, but I won’t be far,” Lana replied.
“I hate that I have to stand there all night and pretend that my mom is Mother Teresa, too.”
“I just don’t want Kim all over you,” she said and raised an eyebrow to him.
There was a knock at the door, and Kayden walked over to the peephole. It was Paula, and he opened the door, and she slid in quickly.
“Mom anywhere in sight?” he asked.
“Nope, she’s already outside holding interviews, you know how she is,” Paula replied and closed the door behind her.
“Yeah, unfortunately,” he stated.
“You ready to do this?” she asked.
He looked over at Lana as she walked over to him and held onto his hand.
“You got this, baby,” Lana said, and he kissed her again as Paula rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, guys with the saliva fest,” she teased.
“I’ll be in the crowd, and I’ll make sure I keep an eye on Kim and your mom. I’ll be fine,” Lana said to Kayden.
They walked to the door, and Kayden spun around once more and kissed her.
“Love you,” he said, then closed the door behind him.
Lana leaned against the door and smiled. She would wait until Kayden made it over to the restaurant, then would make her way over there, concealing her presence until it was all over. She walked over to the snow-frosted window as fresh flurries began to fall once again.Never-ending,she thought, walking into the bathroom. On the sink was a pregnancy test, something she kept from Kayden and Paula, and planned to take it before heading over to Aunt Mae’s. She was late and wasn’t sure whether it was just the stress of the last month, but she needed to know either way.
THE PEOPLE IN the street,gathered in front of the diner, began to turn around and clap as Kayden and Kim walked towards the crowd. The photographers practically pushed people out of the way to get a photo of him. Kim, of course, pushed her way through as well and slipped her arm around his to pose for a few pictures. They looked like a power couple standing side by side. The thought of Kim touching him made Lana feel nauseated.She’d better enjoy herself while she can,she thought, because life was about to get even more interesting for them all.
Suddenly, in front of all the photographers, Kim slipped her left hand out into the crowd, showing off a massive diamond ring. People started clapping and hooting, and the flash from the cameras was going off at a rapid pace. It was an engagement ring. She had to give it to her; she was a clever bitch. Lana pulled the heavy coat around her even tighter as the frigid air was starting to become too much to handle. Kayden finally made his way to the entrance of Aunt Mae’s, and Kim was clinging to him like a fabric softener sheet.
Aunt Mae and Joseph were already there, smiling, waiting, and clapping as he arrived. Taylor Taylor from Taylor and Associates outstretched his hand for a shake. Kim let Kayden go reluctantly as he walked towards them, but put on a smile and clapped with the crowd. Maureen stood in the front, flanked by Heathcliff, and Kim slithered next to them, asserting herself amongst them. Maureen smiled at her and leaned into her ear.
“You’re doing it again,” she said through her teeth as Kayden spoke with Aunt Mae and the local television news station reporter.
“Doing what?” she replied.
“Overstepping. That stunt you pulled with the ring could have very well been the nail in the coffin.”
“I thought it would make it harder for him to deny me later and ruin our plans.”
“It doesn’t matter now. You’ll be heading back to New York with me tonight.”
Kim’s face lost its color as it filled with terror. After all she had done, she was being cast aside like yesterday’s trash.
“You have to give me another chance,” she pleaded as a tear formed in her eye.
“Prove to me you can follow my instructions and compose yourself, and we will see.”
Kim dabbed the near-tear from her eye and put a huge smile back on her face as another photographer approached them.
