ridiculous idea even when they were just doing it to make Eli jealous. There was no way she was actually going through with it. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Why not? Mara knows him from work and she says he’s super smart and a great dancer. He’s going to meet us tomorrow evening to hang out. There won’t be any pressure. Just a chance for you to meet a nice guy.”
Kay still didn’t like the sound of it but figured it couldn’t do any harm. Especially if they were surrounded by a group of people. If the guy was a weirdo, she wouldn’t be stuck there alone with him. Maybe if she went this time, the girls would be satisfied and lose interest in fixing her up.
“Okay, I’ll go. Just tell me where and when.”
Ridley let out a little squeal. “This is going to be so much fun! Just meet us at the Alexanders’ house at seven o’clock. We’re not doing anything fancy, just going to The Rush for burgers. Julia volunteered to watch all the kids, including Hope, so we can all go out together and have a good time.”
Kay smiled. The Alexanders really were just the nicest people. If she didn’t already find Eli so fascinating, she’d probably like him just for his family.
“That’s really nice of her.”
“Raina and I definitely hit the jackpot when it comes to having the best mother-in-law ever. Oh, just one more thing.” Ridley paused and then blurted, “Don’t tell Eli. Okay, see you tomorrow!” There was an audible click as the call disconnected.
Kay stared at her cell phone in shock before a giggle erupted. She wasn’t sure how Ridley thought she was going to go on a date without Eli noticing. The last time he’d been shadowing her, he’d followed her everywhere, to the point of driving her insane. She’d actually locked herself in the bathroom a few times to get some privacy.
“Oh Ridley, what have you gotten me into?”
C HAPTER S IX
ELI LOOKED OVER at Kay playing with her daughter. After their awkward encounter that morning, they’d come to an unspoken agreement to act as though it had never happened. He’d accompanied her to her job as an administrative assistant to his younger brother, Nick, and then to the studio to record for an hour.
After that, they’d picked up her daughter from her parents’ house. He’d watched in awe as she’d made dinner, finished some laundry, and entertained the baby all at once. In the time since they’d gotten home, Kay had yet to sit down for even a minute. She lived a quiet life but one that required a lot of stamina.
He was ashamed to admit that he’d never realized just how much work was involved in caring for a baby.
When he’d been protecting them last summer, Hope had been so small. She’d been attached to Kay the majority of the time. He wasn’t used to thinking of Hope as a separate entity. Part of him figured that was because he didn’t like to think about where Hope had come from. Thinking about that led him into the uncomfortable mental terrain of thinking about the man who’d hurt Kaylee.
Somewhere it was much better if he didn’t allow his mind to go.
But now he was forced to view Hope as her own, well, person . He felt foolish thinking it, but she seemed like a tiny person with her big, knowing eyes and babbled phrases. She’d taken one look at him and broken out into delighted squeals. He hadn’t thought she’d remember him even though they’d spent time together over Christmas, but apparently she did. Her tiny little face had lit up, and she’d started a long, animated conversation with him in what sounded like a mash of English and Klingon. Kay had seemed just as surprised as he had, so he could only assume the reaction wasn’t typical.
“Eli, do you want something to eat?” Kay stood in the kitchen, a dish towel thrown over one shoulder. The sight sent a sharp stab of longing through him. It had been a long time since anyone other than his mother had been so concerned about
“Why not? Mara knows him from work and she says he’s super smart and a great dancer. He’s going to meet us tomorrow evening to hang out. There won’t be any pressure. Just a chance for you to meet a nice guy.”
Kay still didn’t like the sound of it but figured it couldn’t do any harm. Especially if they were surrounded by a group of people. If the guy was a weirdo, she wouldn’t be stuck there alone with him. Maybe if she went this time, the girls would be satisfied and lose interest in fixing her up.
“Okay, I’ll go. Just tell me where and when.”
Ridley let out a little squeal. “This is going to be so much fun! Just meet us at the Alexanders’ house at seven o’clock. We’re not doing anything fancy, just going to The Rush for burgers. Julia volunteered to watch all the kids, including Hope, so we can all go out together and have a good time.”
Kay smiled. The Alexanders really were just the nicest people. If she didn’t already find Eli so fascinating, she’d probably like him just for his family.
“That’s really nice of her.”
“Raina and I definitely hit the jackpot when it comes to having the best mother-in-law ever. Oh, just one more thing.” Ridley paused and then blurted, “Don’t tell Eli. Okay, see you tomorrow!” There was an audible click as the call disconnected.
Kay stared at her cell phone in shock before a giggle erupted. She wasn’t sure how Ridley thought she was going to go on a date without Eli noticing. The last time he’d been shadowing her, he’d followed her everywhere, to the point of driving her insane. She’d actually locked herself in the bathroom a few times to get some privacy.
“Oh Ridley, what have you gotten me into?”
C HAPTER S IX
ELI LOOKED OVER at Kay playing with her daughter. After their awkward encounter that morning, they’d come to an unspoken agreement to act as though it had never happened. He’d accompanied her to her job as an administrative assistant to his younger brother, Nick, and then to the studio to record for an hour.
After that, they’d picked up her daughter from her parents’ house. He’d watched in awe as she’d made dinner, finished some laundry, and entertained the baby all at once. In the time since they’d gotten home, Kay had yet to sit down for even a minute. She lived a quiet life but one that required a lot of stamina.
He was ashamed to admit that he’d never realized just how much work was involved in caring for a baby.
When he’d been protecting them last summer, Hope had been so small. She’d been attached to Kay the majority of the time. He wasn’t used to thinking of Hope as a separate entity. Part of him figured that was because he didn’t like to think about where Hope had come from. Thinking about that led him into the uncomfortable mental terrain of thinking about the man who’d hurt Kaylee.
Somewhere it was much better if he didn’t allow his mind to go.
But now he was forced to view Hope as her own, well, person . He felt foolish thinking it, but she seemed like a tiny person with her big, knowing eyes and babbled phrases. She’d taken one look at him and broken out into delighted squeals. He hadn’t thought she’d remember him even though they’d spent time together over Christmas, but apparently she did. Her tiny little face had lit up, and she’d started a long, animated conversation with him in what sounded like a mash of English and Klingon. Kay had seemed just as surprised as he had, so he could only assume the reaction wasn’t typical.
“Eli, do you want something to eat?” Kay stood in the kitchen, a dish towel thrown over one shoulder. The sight sent a sharp stab of longing through him. It had been a long time since anyone other than his mother had been so concerned about
Similar Books
