“We will,” Kenna said. “I have no doubt. I already like them. And the fact that they went out of their way to stand up for me at Duke’s and make up that story so those bitches would be nicer…that said a lot about who they are as people.”
“Good. You’ll be okay with them by yourself? I can’t get off work to help out during the day. We were planning on moving the big stuff early in the week.”
“Marshall, I’m a professional waitress. I can talk to anyone about anything. I’ll be fine.” She thought it was cute that he was worried.
“Okay. Good. For the record?”
When he didn’t continue, Kenna said, “Yes?”
“If you’d have invited me up to eat and shower with you, I would’ve said yes. At this point, I can’t deny you anything.”
Kenna smiled. She loved knowing she had that kind of power over him…the same power he had over her. Leaning forward, Kenna kissed him. He quickly took over, holding her close with the grip on her neck and devouring her mouth.
They were both panting when they finally pulled apart for some air.
“Damn,” Kenna breathed.
“Yeah,” Marshall agreed. “Come on, I’ll walk you up.”
“You think that’s a good idea?” Kenna teased. She could feel her nipples pressing against her suit and she was damp between the legs.
“I just need to make sure you get inside safely. I’d be a shitty boyfriend if I left you in the parking lot.”
Kenna shook her head. “No, you’d be normal.”
“I don’t like to be normal,” Marshall said. Then he kissed her hard and fast and turned to get out of the Jeep.
Kenna knew she was smiling like a crazy person, but she couldn’t stop. Marshall grabbed her bag, and her hand, and they walked into the complex.
They were at her door in less than a minute. Marshall handed her the beach bag with her fast food he’d put inside. He pulled her against him in a long, heartfelt hug. Then he stepped back as she unlocked her door.
“Have a good night,” he said.
Kenna might’ve been offended that he didn’t look like he was going to give her a goodbye kiss, but she had a feeling if he did, they’d definitely end up inside. “You too. Let me know when you get home?”
He nodded. “You have next Sunday off, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to take you to my place and cook for you…if that’s all right.”
Kenna tingled. “Can you cook?”
Marshall chuckled. “I’m not a chef like Elodie, but I’ve been taking pointers from her, and I can grill a mean steak.”
“Sounds good. You want to go to the Aloha Stadium swap meet with me in the morning?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said immediately.
Kenna smiled. “You ever been?”
“Nope.”
“You’re in for a treat. They have everything from clothes to souvenirs, ethnic food to antiques. I love talking to the artists. They usually have amazingly interesting stories.”
Marshall smiled. “I like seeing you get all worked up and excited about doing stuff,” he said. “We can work out the logistics later.”
“Sounds good.”
“Be safe this week.”
“I will,” Kenna reassured him.
For a second they both stood stock still, staring at each other, before Marshall took a deep breath and backed away.
Kenna watched him walk backward down the hall.
“Go inside,” he ordered.
It was reassuring that he felt the same pull toward her that she did toward him. Kenna gave him a little wave, then pushed her door open and went inside her apartment.
She closed the door and leaned against it with another smile on her face. It was safe to say that she was head over heels for Marshall Smart. She had no idea what he was so worried about her finding out, but she had a feeling whatever it was, it wouldn’t matter.
Feeling happier than she’d been in a very long time, Kenna dug her dinner out of her beach bag and headed to the couch to eat. Food first, then shower, then she’d text Lexie and find out the details about helping her with the new location of Food For All.
It would be a busy week, and Kenna was already excited about seeing Marshall next Sunday. Yes, she’d talk to him as the week progressed, but seeing where he lived, him cooking for her…it seemed like a perfect time to move their physical relationship forward.
Saying it like that almost seemed too tame. In reality, Kenna wanted to fuck Marshall more than she’d wanted anything in a long while. And she had a feeling next weekend would be their time.
She was still smiling as she took a big bite of her burger. It was lukewarm, but nothing could dim her excitement from the day.
Chapter Ten
The week was moving quickly. Between working out, doing errands, talking to Marshall, and working, time had flown by.
It was already Wednesday morning, and Kenna was headed to the Barber’s Point area to meet up with Lexie, Elodie, and another woman named Ashlyn, who worked with Lexie, to organize the satellite location of Food For All. She’d even convinced Carly to come with her. She hadn’t lied to Marshall, she could have a conversation with anyone about anything, but she was glad Carly had said yes to coming all the same.
Kenna was also worried about her friend. Carly hadn’t been going anywhere since the confrontation with Shawn at Duke’s, preferring to stay in her apartment as much as possible until it was time to go to work. It wasn’t as if Kenna blamed her; if Shawn was her ex, she’d be extremely careful as well, but it wasn’t exactly healthy for Carly to lock herself away.
One more reason to hate Shawn.
But today she’d convinced Carly to come with her, and was looking forward to spending time with her friend outside of work.
As they drove toward the western side of the island, Kenna said as nonchalantly as she could, “So…how are things with Jag? You guys still talking?”
“They’re fine. And yes.”
Kenna could tell Carly didn’t want to talk about the handsome SEAL, but she wasn’t ready to drop it. “Marshall said he’s worried about you.”
Carly sighed and looked over at Kenna. “Look, I know you’re deliriously happy with Marshall, but don’t go getting ideas that I’m gonna end up with his friend. I’m done with guys. Seriously. Maybe not forever, but for the foreseeable future. Okay?”
“Okay, okay,” Kenna said. “I want you to be happy. And just because Shawn wasn’t the man for you doesn’t mean someone else isn’t. Not to mention, they’re not all abusive assholes either.”
“I know. And I really do like Jag. He’s nice and he makes me feel safe. But I’m still not ready. I feel like I need to get my feet under me again. Learn to be happy on my own for a while. It also wouldn’t be fair to him to be a rebound.”
“I get it,” Kenna said. And she did. She had a feeling if Carly let Jag in, she wouldn’t regret the decision, but she had to be the one to decide when she was ready to move on. “Thanks for coming with me today,” she said, changing the subject.
Carly smiled. “Thanks for asking me. I know I need to get out more, but I just imagine Shawn jumping out and hurting me the second I leave my apartment.”