Page 30 of Fragile Kiss (Fragile 2)
He replayed the voice over in his head, suddenly realizing he’d come to complete stop. If Katharina was looking out the window, she probably thought he was nuts. There he stood, frozen in his tracks, with an incredibly stupid look on his face. His heart sped up. With a burst of adrenaline he started up the driveway, walking noticeably faster than his usual laidback lumber.
It’s impossible. It can’t be.
His thoughts muddled until he knocked on her door and heard footsteps coming to answer him. The hand- carved wooden door swung open.
“Handsome!” Katharina took his head in her hands and lightly kissed both cheeks. Unsure of which way to face, he held still and let her do the kissing. “You must see my beautiful home! It’s so much better now than it was before. Your friend is incredible!”
The blood drained from his body. “My friend?”
At the mention of her, a head poked out from behind the kitchen wall to see what was going on.
Lillian. His mouth dropped.
“Cayden,” Katharina said, pulling him inside, “I am forever indebted to you for telling me about her. I never imagined all of this was possible.”
Cayden’s eyes locked with Lillian’s. Neither of them moved.
“I mean, I did expect my house to look amazing. But I never knew it was possible with what I have now. I expected to have to buy so many more things to impress my guests!” Katharina kept rambling as she led Cayden toward the kitchen by his wrist.
Lillian suddenly blinked rapidly and stood up, stepping out into the room to meet them. “Hi, Cayden,” she said. Her voice was soft and familiar.
“What...” he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, you two must have gone a long time without seeing each other!” Katharina giggled her little tinkly fairy laugh and waltzed into the kitchen. “Would either of you like juice? I have elderberry, guava...”
“I’m helping Katharina,” Lillian replied simply, slipping her hands into her pockets. “Elderberry juice sounds great. Thank you, Katharina.”
The actress smiled cheerfully. “And you, Cayden?”
“Water would be great,” he said, feeling oddly dizzy. “Thanks.”
“So, Cayden is working out with you... or?” Lillian began a new conversation, turning to acknowledge Katharina.
“Yes, and more!” Katharina beamed up at him from across the room and winked. “Cayden’s the best trainer. I’m going to make sure he has so many clients that his body melts.” She handed them the juice in glasses so thin Cayden feared it would break just from him touching it.
Nervous, he set it down on the counter.
“I’m sure he’s in high demand here,” Lillian agreed quietly, her eyes darting over to Cayden before shifting back to Katharina.
“Have you ever had a workout with him?” Katharina asked, shifting her weight onto one leg. The curve of her hip looked like a small, elegant wave. “He knows what he’s doing.”
Cayden felt his face get hot. What was she referring to?
Lillian’s reply caught in her throat and she let out a tiny cough. “Uh, no, actually. Not like you have. I’m sure he’s great at what he does.”
“Oh, darling, you haven’t worked with him?” Katharina playfully slapped Cayden’s shoulder. “Cayden, I’m ashamed of you.”
“No need, really,” Lillian interjected.
“You look like you work out all the time,” Katharina commented, analyzing Lillian from head to toe while casually sipping her guava juice.
“I don’t,” Lillian muttered.
“How come?”
“It’s, um, it’s just not really my thing.”
“Well, you must have an incredible diet regimen.” Without giving her a chance to reply, Katharina added, “You look amazing. Don’t change a thing.”
