Page 13 of Token

The status of her dating life was absolutely none of his business.

“Ooops, sorry.” Aurora zipped her mouth shut and threw away the key in dramatic pantomime fashion. Only she didn’t look all that sorry, a reminder to Kennedy of how close the siblings were. Aurora probably shared more with him about Kennedy than she would ever be comfortable with.

“Okay, enough small talk. Let’s eat.” Her friend walked over to the cupboards where she kept the plates and bowls.

Kennedy sent one longing look at the containers on the counter and inhaled the scent of everything good about Italian food. The sandwich and brownie she’d had during the meeting felt like a lifetime ago. But as much as it pained her, she couldn’t stay and indulge. Not in the food or the company. Especially the company.

“Sorry, Ror, I have to get my butt in gear. I need to be getting home.” She offered an apologetic smile.

Aurora’s expression immediately fell. “No, you have to stay. Nate brought our favorites—stuffed manicotti with meat sauce and chicken primavera Alfredo. You can do either or both.”

Damn him.He was the devil’s own foot soldier.

Be strong. It’s only food. There’s more of that where it came from.

Shaking her head, Kennedy circled the island and gave Aurora a hug. “I’ve got to go. I have a big day tomorrow and I need my beauty sleep.”

Nate made a sound in his throat and met her raised eyebrow with an arched brow of his own. “Beauty sleep?”

“Well, some of us don’t just wake up in the morning, run a hand through our hair, and look perfectly presentable,” she said airily. “Unlike you, some of us mere mortals need our beauty sleep.”

Without even cracking a smile, he pulled his hands out of his pockets and glanced at his watch. “Stay and eat and I’ll give you a ride home. It’s probably not a good idea to be taking the subway this late at night anyway.”

“It’s quarter after seven, Nate.”

“It’ll be dark soon.”

“Right, in an hour, and I should be home by then.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake, just let him drive you home.” Aurora sounded like she was dealing with two squabbling children.

“No, Rory, I really have to go. I’ve got so much stuff still to do tonight. Plus, I’m going to take an Uber anyway.” She directed her next remark to Nate. “Thanks for the offer. It’s very sweet of you, but I’ll be fine.”

For a second it looked like he was going to argue, but then he gave a brisk nod. “Okay, suit yourself.”

After bidding Nate a cheerier than normal goodbye—her mouth strained under the burden of the smile—she and Aurora made their way to the front to wait for the Uber to arrive.

“Do you want to do something with us this weekend? Nate is flying back to Paris on Sunday.”

Aurora? In a heartbeat. Nate? Not so much. These days, she could only handle him in small, digestible doses. Taciturn men had their places. In her company for any extended amount of time wasn’t one of them.

“Sorry, Ror, I’ve got a million errands to run, and an apartment to clean once I’m done running myself ragged. Plus, your brother deserves to spend quality time with his favorite sister—”

“I’m hisonlysister,” she interjected, rolling her eyes.

“—without me around.”

“Okay, fine, you don’t want to come.” Aurora went full woebegone on her. “But we’re going to miss you.”

“Maybeyouwill, but I doubt your brother will.”

Just then, the man in question appeared in her periphery. She instinctively turned in his direction.

“I take it we won’t see each other before I head back?” If he’d heard her last comment, his expression didn’t let on.

Hitching her purse strap higher on her shoulder, she made her tone light. “Looks that way. But I’m sure I’ll see you whenever you’re back in town. Take care and don’t be such a stranger.”

For two people who’d known each other as long as they had, a hug or a kiss on the cheek wouldn’t have been amiss, but he made no move in her direction and she always wisely followed his lead.

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