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“I guess we should.” She bumped my hip with hers. “Don’t worry about the papers, okay? What’s the worst that can happen?”
My stomach sank. I wasn’t someone who believed in manifesting or tempting fate or anything like that. I believed God was sovereign and that He watched over me, and cared for me, and would help me to walk in His will.
At the same time?
I was really good at coming up with worst case scenarios. And Ireallydidn’t want to find out which one was the most likely to occur.
23
KAYLA
Istretched my arms up over my head as my eyes gradually opened.
Gosh, it was good to be home.
I was grateful Austin had convinced everyone to leave on Friday so we had the weekend to get settled and ready for a new week. I’d gotten caught up on my grading and a little ahead on my lesson plans while we were on the island, so it wasn’t that I had a ton of work to do. But it was still wonderful to be back in my own space.
I’d texted my neighbor that I was back.
Ada and Charles were both giving me the cat version of the silent treatment. They’d get over it. They always did. They’d get over it faster with a little incentive.
With that in mind, I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the kitchen. I kept a few cans of tuna in my pantry for when I needed to bribe the creatures. This seemed like a good reason.
I was opening the can when my phone rang. I frowned at the display before tapping to accept the call.
“Hi, Luke. What’s up?”
“Is he really a billionaire?”
I closed my eyes and let my shoulders sag. Ada jumped up on the counter and butted my hand with her head. It would have made me laugh under different circumstances. Now, it did get me to finish opening the can, but any joy I’d had about luring back my cats’ affection had fled. “He is. Why?”
“Figures.” Luke scoffed. “I never had a chance, did I?”
“Actually, you did.” Sort of. There was the whole “I’m in love with my best friend” thing. But I could have gotten over that. Probably. “You realize his money has nothing to do with me, right?”
“No. I don’t realize that at all. Why would I?”
“Because the times we went out, I thought we got to be friends and so you know I’m not like that? And let’s not forget, buster, that you weren’t rushing to fall in love with me, either. Why don’t you tell me what the problem really is? Because I don’t think it’s Austin’s money or the fact that you and I mutually agreed we weren’t suited.” I wanted to be angry, but I just couldn’t get there. This wasn’t like Luke. At all. And although I didn’t want to date him, I still counted him as a friend.
“I…” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called.”
“Yes. You should have. Spill the beans.” I glanced around the kitchen. Ada and Charles were at their bowls daintily nibbling tuna. I probably had coffee. “Do you want to come by? I don’t have a lot on hand, but I can manage coffee. You could grab donuts from somewhere.”
“I don’t think coming over is a good idea. Do you ever run?”
“Other than when I’m chased?” Running wasn’t my idea of a good time.
Luke laughed. “Walk?”
“Walking I do.”
“Meet me on the path to Mount Vernon? We can walk by the river. I’ll fill you in.”
I glanced down at my pajamas and ran through a quick inventory of what I’d need to do before I could leave, plus travel time. “Sure. I probably need an hour.”
“That’s fine. Thanks, Kayla.”
“No problem.” I ended the call and drummed my fingers on the counter. Then I picked up the phone and called Austin.
