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Kenji.’
That was it. Noapology, no ‘I’m in the Alps or hanging out in China orParis for a little bit.’ Nothing like that. He was twenty-eightyears old, almost thirty, and it was time he started to act his age.
Pushing away from hisdesk, he strode over to the window to stare out at the bleaklandscape in front of him. He was in his office in Midtown, and as itwas almost Christmas, the weather had taken a turn. The clouds wereheavy and gray, and the leaves had been stripped bare.
He and his familywould be flying off to Paris for the holidays, and it burned him thathe had no idea where Kenji was. What the hell was he up to? Would hebe back in a couple of months? He’d left his company, althoughit was a well-oiled machine and could practically run itself.
The profits fromthe car dealerships were up, and the charter company he’dacquired single-handedly was being restructured and should be up andrunning by the end of February. He’d met with the board and hadheard that Kenji was on top of things.
Shoving his handsinto his pockets, he rocked back on his heels. He didn’t feelcomfortable talking with Chantelle about what happened between herand his cousin. He’d tried, and she’d blocked him. Healso felt responsible for trying to play matchmaker. Now he’ddone more harm than good.
He had the feelingChantelle was avoiding him. She’d stay in her office and sendhim emails and was more out than in. He knew she had a lot to dosince it was coming up to the holiday season, and the booking hadgone from satisfactory to somewhat crazy.
She’dintroduced a 1950s theme for the New Year that had excitement goingoff the charts.
He didn’t wantto lose her, and even if he had to increase her pay package again, hewould do it. He was giving her a hefty Christmas bonus and a trip toLondon if she wanted to go away after the holiday rush.
“Dammit, Kenji,what have you done?”
*****
He was relieved tosee she was relaxed and laughing at Brian’s corny jokes aboutthe good old days, and she’d eaten everything in her bowl.She’d also gone through the rolls and drank the fruit juice.
She looked betterthan she had since that bastard had rocked her world. Leaning back inhis chair, he took a sip of the beer and continued to watch her. Shewas beautiful, sexy, and delicate, with just the right amount ofsteel and determination in her.
He loved her. He wasan only child and had been drawn to her ever since they were in highschool. She was funny and vibrant, something he’d noticed fromthe beginning.
It hadn’tclicked for them romantically. They had a bond that had lasted overthe years. He’d crashed at her place more often than he couldcount and had poured his heart out whenever a relationship hadcrashed and burned. She was the only constant in his life, and he wasfiercely protective of her.
When he’dgotten shot in the line of duty, she’d been at his bedside fromthe get-go and had left work every evening to come and see to it hewas being taken care of. It would’ve been handy if they couldbe more to each other, but this was good. He was here and not roamingthe world for work. He could be here for her.
“Seconds?”Brian lumbered to his feet and slanted a look between the two ofthem.
“I’mgood.” Caleb lifted a brow at her.
“I’mabout to pop out of my clothes.” She told them with a laugh.
“You can’tleave without a slice of our famous blueberry pie.” He kissedhis fingertips. “It’s to die for.”
“Bring iton.”
“Two slicescoming up and a glass of hot chocolate to go with it. It’s coldas hell out there.”
“Thanks.”She said quietly as soon as he departed.
“For?”
“For thedistraction and the delicious meal. I feel so much better.”
“I live toplease.” He touched her hand lightly. “You look a lotbetter.”
“I feel it too.You don’t have to spend the night.”
“Trying to getrid of me?”
She gave him anexasperated look. “Caleb, you have work you’ve beenneglecting because of me.”
He waited until theirdesserts were placed in front of them before he answered. “Thebeauty about working for myself is that I can make my own hours.”
