Page 32 of Fragile Kiss (Fragile 2)
At that moment Katharina’s door opened, and her footsteps quickly rapped down the hall. “Did you miss me?” she asked happily, but Cayden could hardly tear his eyes away from Lillian.
Katharina didn’t seem to notice his fixation. “All right, Lillian, let’s get you a car. Your hotel has a spa. I trust the clerk has told you about all the amenities?”
“Yes, he did. Thank you so much. It’s much more than I could have dreamed of.” Lillian’s face, exasperated a few seconds ago, somehow magically turned to a cool, professional smile.
“Oh, really? Do you usually not stay at hotels with spas?” she laughed. “That’s the point of staying at a hotel, darling. To relax.”
“No, I usually don’t stay at hotels with spas.” Lillian sounded a tad timid.
“Well, don’t worry about that. I’m going to spread the word to my contacts all over the country and you’ll be staying in them much more often. Of course, mostly in Los Angeles, though. So I can see you regularly.” Katharina tapped and scrolled on her phone while she talked. “I must get a photo of you two. Go on, scoot together. Smile!”
Before they could do anything Katharina held up her phone and snapped a photo, scrutinizing it immediately afterward. “One more, okay? Smile, Cayden!”
His body almost physically hurt at how much he wanted to put his arm around her and pull her close against his side. He side-stepped and pulled one corner of his mouth up a little.
Katharina looked at the picture again. “Beautiful. Now, one together! Look at the lighting from these windows—isn’t it just perfect for photos?” She trotted forward between Lillian and Cayden, asking him to take a photo. Awkwardly, he took the phone, held out his hand, and snapped a photo.
Please don’t ask me to do it again, he begged silently.
“That’s perfect. I can’t believe it; only one take!” Humming to herself she opened another app, typed a few things in, and a happy little sound effect chimed. “Lillian, we’ve got you a car. The driver’s such a sweetie. He’s the guy I call to take me places. I only use three, so you know he’s good. Leo’s just at the end of the road now.”
“Great. I appreciate it, Katharina. Thank you.” She slung her purse over her shoulder and shoved a binder into her worn leather bag.
“Can you see yourself out?”
I’ll walk her, Cayden shouted to himself.
“Yes, I’ll be fine. It’s just right here. I think that’s the driver, actually,” she noted, craning her neck to see down the street.
“We’ll be in touch about the time tomorrow.” Katharina danced up to Lillian and kissed her on both cheeks. “Thank you, darling.”
“No problem. See you tomorrow. Enjoy your workout.” She opened the door to leave.
Is she going to say goodbye to me? Cayden wondered.
She didn’t. With a final smile at Katharina and a split-second glance at Cayden, she shut the door behind her. From where they stood, he could see the end of the driveway. Lillian was there in an instant, climbing into a swanky white SUV.
Then it was gone.
“Isn’t she a doll?” Katharina pinched Cayden’s cheek. “Are you sure you don’t need food before our workout?”
“I’m not hungry,” he muttered, pulling his eyes away from the window. “Thanks.”
“If you insist.” She shrugged, scrolling absently on her phone. Cayden figured she was probably editing photos. “All right, let’s have a stroll down to the gym, shall we? The sun’s just divine today. It would be a crime if we didn’t enjoy some of it.” Giving his arm a quick tug, they walked down her back steps to one of the lantern-lit pathways that led to her separate gym. All the while, Katharina rambled about how her other actress girlfriend had a massive swimming pool, something about a party, Cayden must come...
I’ll come if Lillian is there, he thought, not paying attention to anything else she said. It was only the sight of all her gym equipment when she opened the door that he was able to shake the image of Lillian from before his eyes. She was just as beautiful as ever, and he knew without a doubt he wanted her.
He needed her.
She’s in Los Angeles, he thought. I’ve got to fix this somehow.
Chapter 07
Katharina winked at him. “Come on.”
Cayden felt like his body was breaking into a sweat, but there was no way to be sure. He had just worked out alongside Katharina, coaching her through her exercises while he was using every piece of equipment she had available in her personal gym.
“I don’t know,” he managed to croak out, wishing he could have just left her place like normal.
