Page 45 of Fragile Kiss (Fragile 2)
Her lungs felt tight. “I don’t know. According to Katharina today, I’m moving here soon.”
Cayden’s face lit up. “Yeah?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. This isn’t the kind of place I can see myself living permanently. And the way she’s talking, she has clients out the wazoo for me. She swears I would have enough work for the rest of my life.”
“It doesn’t have to be permanent, though.” He took his straw out of the glass and laid it on a napkin. “You could fly here, maybe. Every so often.”
“But then that leads back to my clients back home, and I just don’t know. I feel obligated to them, since they’ve been with me for a while.” While she spoke, she felt her body loosen up. Shit, that must be the gin kicking in.
“If I may be so bold,” Cayden began, “I think your clients back home would be happy that your business is growing exponentially.”
“You think so?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I do. You have good taste in people.”
I know, she thought. Their eyes locked. I just need to learn how to keep some of them.
Clearing her throat, she asked, “Is your business doing okay here?”
“Too well.” He chuckled. “Word has spread about me and I’m turning people down.”
“You must be really busy with so many clients, then.” The idea of him working with so many people killed her mood.
“Actually, no. It’s still primarily Janine. Katharina a couple of times a week, and one or two other people off and on. Nothing too regular.” His face changed. “I actually just found a trainer to replace me for Janine.”
A clear vision of Cayden working on his yard flooded her mind. “That means you’re moving back, or staying here?” Instantly she realized what she said, and regretted it. “I shouldn’t have asked. It’s none of my business.”
“I have nothing to hide,” he replied. “I was, uh, thinking about moving back.”
The two stared at each other, earnest expressions on their faces. Anyone in the room could have known what they were feeling.
“Are you seeing Katharina?” She put a hand in front of her face. “Another question I shouldn’t have asked.”
“I’m not,” he said quickly, never breaking eye contact.
Her mood lifted a little.
“Are you...” he seemed to get lost for a second. “Are you seeing anyone?”
She shook her head.
“Really?”
“Who would I be seeing, Cayden? I semi-purposely don’t have a large social circle.”
“I just thought that you might be seeing someone. I thought maybe you might be seeing Andrew.” As he mentioned Andrew’s name, a fleeting pained expression darkened his face.
“Andrew?” she exclaimed a little too loudly. A glance from the couple at the next table turned her face cherry-red. “No way would I ever be seeing Andrew. He’s practically my brother!” She laughed into her hand.
A weird smile touched Cayden’s lips. “Is it that funny?”
“It’s pretty funny. No offense. How did you even get that idea?”
“What am I supposed to think when, right after our big argument last weekend, his car is parked in front of my house all night?”
Lillian, not disappointed in the gin’s effect, took another sip and giggled. “His car broke down and I had to let him use mine. He was in town for business.”
Cayden grunted and looked out at the rest of the room.
