Page 41 of Bittersweet Redemption

I sigh. “Yeah, he wasn’t my best life decision. But I don’t think it was him. He didn’t sound mad or upset at all. If he was mad enough to take a picture and leave it on the door, he’d still be mad talking to me. I’d be able to tell.”

Kai studies me for a moment before nodding. “Keep thinking about who this could be from. In the meantime, my new security system is being installed this week. You should consider getting one at your house when you move back in.”

I should be worried that someone is taking intimate pictures of me without my consent, but all I can focus on is how sad I’ll be when I have to move back into my house. Without Kai.

“You got a security system?”

He looks away. “Yeah, after the last note, I figured it might be a good idea.”

“You got a security system for me?” I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my lips.

He rolls his eyes. “Not for you. It’s a good idea to have security. You never know.”

“Right, well, thank you.” He might say it’s not for me, but I can’t help but feel warmth run through me. He never mentioned wanting a security system until I started getting these weird notes.

“I’ll get you River’s information.” I don’t know who River is, but I’ll go along with it.

“Thanks.” Silence floats through the room for a moment, like we’re both unsure where to go from here. “I’ve got to go get Roman.”

“Yeah. Yep. Be careful.” He steps away from me, but I don’t miss the way his hand grazes my lower back. Every touch from him lights my body on fire. I don’t remember it ever feeling like that with Nick. Not even in the beginning when we were both young and stupid and completely consumed with each other. This is different. Kai is different. And I don’t think I ever thought I would have something like this.

Kai stands in the doorway, still in his underwear, and watches me get in my car and back out of the driveway. I still see him standing there as I drive off down the street. It’s such a simple gesture, but it sparks hope inside me, like maybe he actually cares about me. And that terrifies me. Roman is already attached to Kai. If I let myself get attached, it could ruin the little family I’ve worked so hard to create if and when Kai doesn’t feel the same about us.

I try not to think about it as I pull up to Kayla’s apartment. She meets me at the door with a knowing look on her face.

“What?” I ask when she doesn’t let me inside.

“Jason said you weren’t feeling well last night.” Oh shit. I didn’t even think about him talking to Kayla about our date. I was so preoccupied with everything Kai said that I wasn’t thinking straight.

My first mistake is looking down at my feet. Mistake number two is trying to lie to my friend when I know she can spot my bullshit a mile away. “Yeah, I don’t know. Just wasn’t feeling great.”

“You seem to be feeling ok right now. In fact, you’re practically glowing.” She glares and crosses her arms over her chest.

“Must’ve been a twelve-hour bug or something.” I wince at how ridiculous I sound.

“Willa Frost. You are lying to my face right now. I want the truth, or you aren’t taking Roman out of this house.”

“You’re gonna hold my kid hostage?”

“Yes, yes, I am. If you’re sick, you might still be contagious. Wouldn’t want him to get sick.” She smirks at me.

“Ok, fine.” I sigh before I tell her what happened. “Kai came and found me at the restaurant.”

“Kai, the hot tattoo artist and neighbor?”

“Yeah, him.”

“And?”

“And he told me that if I wanted to be. . .” I lower my voice to make sure no little ears can hear me. “If I wanted to be fucked, he would do it.”

Kayla’s eyes widen. “Oh my god.”

“I know. He was so persistent, and I was literally melting at his feet. Jason was such a nice guy, but there wasn’t a spark. Not like there is with. . .”

“The neighbor who you temporarily live with? That’s not messy at all.”

“Yeah, I know.” It’s actually even messier than she knows. “But I can’t help what I want.”