She didn’t have to tell me that. I knew it wasn’t living. Because I was fucking drowning. “And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Like I’m sure you overheard Penny say in the kitchen. You don’t have a ring on your finger.”
“I’ve been focused on growing my business.”
“Taking pictures?”
She frowned. “I’m a professional photographer, Matt. I’m taking these photos because I have a very lucrative partnership with one of the top real estate firms in the city. I own my own company and it’s doing great, for the record. And I won’t let people like you look at me like I’m nothing anymore.” She sat up and shoved the ice at me.
“Kennedy, I didn’t…”
“Yes you did. I’m not the same poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks that you had to hang out with just because I was friends with Brooklyn.” She pulled on one of her boots. Boots that I hadn’t noticed before had royal blue soles. They were Odegaards. And anyone that could afford $3,000 Odegaards was pretty well off.
“Hey.” I grabbed her hand. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I really didn’t. I used the wrong term. I meant photographer. You followed your passion. I think that’s amazing.”
“Really?” Her eyes softened.
“Yes, really. You went out and did your own thing. And you’re clearly killing it.”
She smiled. “I’m sorry I got so defensive. I think maybe I still have a little chip on my shoulder from going to Empire High. Especially being back in the city after all this time. I almost feel like the old me, if that makes any sense. And I’ve tried so hard to leave that person behind.”
I couldn’t help the corners of my mouth rising. “I always liked that person.”
Her face flushed.
“When did you move back to the city?” I asked.
“A few weeks ago. I’ve been wanting to expand my business for a while and there’s just more opportunities here. I tried my best to stay away. But then there was this vacancy in the perfect location in Manhattan for my offices. I couldn’t say no.”
“Are you living in Manhattan too?”
“Actually, I moved in with my mom temporarily. Just until I have time to search for a new place.”
That explained the delicious smell of empanadas. “How is your mom?”
“The same.” Kennedy smiled. “It’s so weird being home and having to live with her rules again.” She laughed.
“I bet.”
“She treats me like I’m still a kid. I could really use a night out.”
Was she asking me to ask her out? I didn’t know what to say. I was drawn to her, that was undeniable. But I think it had more to do with our shared past. I couldn’t deny that she was attractive though. She had all the same beauty she did when she was younger, but her curves had filled out. In any other circumstance, she’d be someone I’d hit on. But she was Kennedy. My fiancée’s best friend. She was older, sure. But she was still just as off-limits.
“Do you know the weirdest part about being back here?” Kennedy asked.
I shook my head.
“Every now and then, I see a blonde walking on the street and I completely freeze, thinking it’s her. I so badly wish it was her. But it never is.” Kennedy sighed. “It was easier to be off somewhere I never knew her, you know? God, I can’t even imagine if she was still alive after all this time? What I would say to her? Honestly, I’d be so pissed. I’d probably curse up a storm and make my mom furious.” She laughed. “Pull out a few of my favorite Spanish expletives.”
“Sounds about right.” I never let my mind venture there. To the possibility of Brooklyn still being alive. Not after all the private investigators I’d hired came back without any information. She was gone. Brooklyn was dead.
“So what have you been up to all these years?”
“Taking over MAC International.”
“Really?” She smiled. “I know you wanted that. Wasn’t Mason supposed to take over though?”
“He followed his passion, just like you did. He started his own marketing firm. With his wife, actually.”
“That’s amazing. But you followed your passion too, right? Isn’t running that company what you always wanted?”
What I always wanted? No, being married to my job wasn’t what I always wanted. What I wanted was Brooklyn as my wife and a house full of kids. A house full of happiness. “Yeah,” I lied.
“It’s amazing that the four of you guys are still friends. I wish I had a group of friends like that. I basically know no one in the entire city.”
Brooklyn had been one of Kennedy’s only friends in high school. She’d been kind of a loner before Brooklyn moved to town. But I hadn’t let her feel that way after Brooklyn’s death. I still sat with her at lunch every day. She’d been one of the Untouchables just as much as I had. But I guess we’d all lost touch with her.
“I’ll let you know next time we all hang out. You’re more than welcome to come.” It wasn’t a date. But it was the best I could do. And it would be a little while before that invite came. I needed to apologize to James first.
“That would be amazing.” She reached down and finished putting on her boots. “I should probably get going. My mom’s actually expecting me to be home for dinner.”
“Let me grab your camera.” I picked it up off the kitchen floor. “Or what’s left of it. I’m sorry, Kennedy. Let me replace it for you.”
“I don’t need handouts anymore, remember? Besides, it’s insured. Is it okay if I come back tomorrow morning to shoot the pictures?”
“Fine by me. Just let yourself in.”
She laughed. “I think I’ll knock next time just to be safe.”
“Actually, can you hold off from taking the pictures for a few days?”
“Why? Have you changed your mind about selling the place? It really is a beautiful home.”
I hadn’t changed my mind. But I was worried about her safety. If I wasn’t staying here because of Mr. Pruitt, she shouldn’t be here either. “Yeah, I’m still thinking about it.”
“No problem. I’ll let Bill know you want to hold off a few more days.” She stood up and winced.
I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Let me drive you home.”
“It’s all the way on the other side of town. I can take a taxi. I’ll be fine, really.” She wiggled her foot and pretended like she was fine. But I could tell she wasn’t. She was in pain and she was putting on a brave face.
“I insist.” I scooped her up in my arms before she had a chance to protest. She didn’t say a word as I got her safely into my car and pulled out onto the city street. The silence was comfortable between us, but for some reason I still wanted to fill it. Maybe because I wanted her to fill in the gaps of her life that I’d missed. “What do you do for fun?” I asked.
“Photography is my hobby and my job. There isn’t really much time for anything else. What about you?”
Penny had asked me this same question recently. But I didn’t want to tell Kennedy that I worked out for fun. That seemed like a pompous answer. “I coach the Empire High football team.”