“It’s pretty good,” Dash chimed in. “In fact, I think it might be better than Con’s...but don’t tell him I said so.”
Rory glanced at her brother and then immediately back to Kit. It was as though she’d forgotten he was there.
“I am definitely going to tell him,” she said with a wicked grin.
Six
Rory sat next to Dash, enjoying her brother in a way that she hadn’t in a really long time. Moving out had been scary—she wasn’t going to pretend that sleeping at night was easy all alone in this shabby house—but she knew it was the right move.
“I’d better be heading off,” Kit said.
She looked over at him, realizing that something had changed since their kiss and Dash arriving. Reaching for her cane, she stood when Kit did. “I’ll walk you out.”
Her leg was feeling the stress from being on her feet so much. But also she’d braced herself hard when she’d steadied Kit earlier. Something that Hank had taught her to do when she felt unsteady, but it always had repercussions.
“You don’t have to,” Kit protested.
“I do.” She wanted to say goodbye to him in private, and also she knew if she sat with her leg like this it would just hurt more. Moving always made her feel better.
“Okay,” he said. He put his mug and plate on the counter near the sink and she followed him to the front door, realizing as he sat on the floor to put his boots back on that she needed to get a bench.
“Sorry my brother arrived when he did,” she told him candidly.
“Me, too. But I can see that his concern comes from a good place.”
“Yeah, it does. Even though it feels suffocating sometimes. So...about the kiss...” she murmured as he stood back up and reached for his leather jacket.
He tipped his head to the side, watching her and waiting.
“I don’t want to make assumptions and I’m not good at guessing what other people are feeling. So did you like it?”
Kit smiled at her and moved toward her, stopping when there was just a few inches between them. He leaned in closer, their eyes met and her heart started beating just a little bit faster with excitement.
“I did. I want to do it again. But your bro is here, so...”
“Good. I liked it, too,” she said.
“I know,” he said, brushing his mouth over hers. Then he lifted his head, winked at her and waved goodbye as he walked out the door.
She stood there, watching him leave. He didn’t look back and his steps were sure and steady on the wet pavement. Something she knew he probably didn’t have to worry about. But she worried for him.
Oh.
She was starting to care for him. There were butterflies in her stomach and her heart felt full when she thought about the kiss he’d just given her. It had been short and sweet and set off fires in her body. He waved once more as he drove by and she closed the door, carefully turning to walk back toward the kitchen.
Dash stood at the end of the hallway.
“You like this guy?”
“Kit. I likeKit.”
“Yeah, Kit. Your old friend, except you don’t have any old friends,” he said.
“I’m sure I had friends, Dash, don’t be a dick.”
“I’m not being a dick,” he said. “Or if I am...it’s just because I’m concerned about you.”
“Well, thanks, but I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”