It was from Kyson.
Isa, looking forward to making things up to you at brunch. What time would you like me to be at your place? X Ky
Jasper must have noticed my smile and suddenly shaky hands because he nosed his way over and read the text from over my shoulder with zero qualms about invading my space or privacy. His mouth split into a huge smile.
“Looks like someone wants a better taste of my girl’s charms,” he teased.
I grinned and nudged his shoulder, the heaviness slipping away and excitement taking its place. It was Friday. I had two days before I’d see him again.
“Now we just have to make sure you make a meal that will knock his socks clean off. And his shirt. And his pants. Definitely his pants!” He waggled his eyebrows and I burst out into laughter. “I’m thinking we hit up Gypsy Soul for a new outfit, too.”
“I have so many clothes now. Too many.”
Jasper made a “Pfft,” sound. “You have a tenth of what I have, and I’ve been here a week and one day, the same as you. I don’t have enough clothing, which means you have the bare minimum.”
“We just picked up three outfits and I got another new one for my first date yesterday.”
He shook his head and put his arm around my shoulders. “Izzy, Izzy, Izzy, have me and my mom taught you nothing? In order to feel your best, you need to look your best. If you want to hook hunk-a-licious Kyson Turner, you need to make the effort. And a sinfully sexy outfit will do just that.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” I could already feel my pocketbook going up in flames living above and working next door to a boutique.
“Don’t worry. I spied the perfect outfit when I was in there yesterday.”
“You hanging out with my sisters while I’m not there?” I nudged his shoulder playfully.
“Of course. What else am I supposed to do when you’re gallivanting off into the sunset in a white quad cab work truck with Colorado’s most handsome hunk?”
“Oh! I forgot to tell you something!” I blurted with unconcealed excitement.
He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Is it juicy? Tell me it’s juicy.”
I grinned. “Well, Kyson...”
“Yeah?” He leaned his ear closer to my mouth.
“He has a brother. Actually, he has two brothers.”
“Okay, and how is this juicy?” His brows knit together.
“One of them is gay and available.” I mini-clapped, my enthusiasm getting the best of me.
He jerked back a few steps as though he’d been Tased. A hand over his heart. “You’re kidding? All of that hotness in a blood relation that is also gay?”
“Definitely. And better yet...”
He waved in front of his face, cutting me off. “I don’t know if I can handle better. My heart is already about to pound out of my chest, and I haven’t even seen the man, but I’ve seen and drooled over Kyson. Any blood relation has to be hot as hell.”
I nodded. “Kyson admitted he was worried because he believed that Lincoln would find you his type.”
Jasper gasped and then shook his head and lifted his chin. “Well, of course he would, my darling. I’m everyone’s type,” he said with false smugness. “Tell me more.”
I decided not to tell him the part that Camden fired him from the job because he got into it with him and Suda Kaye. It didn’t really matter anyway.
“The only thing I know is that Suda Kaye called him Mr. Grumpy. I guess he’s got a chip on his shoulder.”
That admission did not deter my bestie in any way. He simply shrugged.
“Also, Kyson said he was worried he’d annoy you by hitting on you. Repeatedly.” I snickered, loving every minute of that possibility, and hoping it came to fruition.
Jasper grinned wickedly. “Good thing for him I like a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. Especially if what he wants is moi!” He pointed to his chest.
“Figured you’d find this information yummy!”
“Looks like I’ll be dressing to impress on Monday in order to take a gander at Mr. Grumpy, brother to hunk-a-licious.”
“Just remember, this is Kyson’s brother and one of our renovators. We have to be good.”
“Oh, honey, you know me. If anything, I’m always good.” He bumped my cart with his. “We got what we need. Let’s move on to Heaven, otherwise known as cookware.”
I laughed and pressed on. My heart much lighter, my stomach no longer twisted up. I was excited about brunch with Kyson and what that would entail. “Yes, let’s.”
Eleven
A knock came at my door right after I’d just added the final dash of chopped parsley on top of the poached eggs I’d finished for the eggs benedict. The hollandaise was prepped and ready to heat. With a smile, I eased the dish into the oven to keep the eggs, ham and bread toasty warm. I’d already finished the fresh apricot, spinach, romaine, crumbled feta and almond salad to go with it, as well as the balsamic and olive oil dressing I put together to drizzle over the greens. I’d even prepared a raspberry lemon tart for dessert that paired amazingly well with the dry champagne I picked up.
Another knock and a muffled, “Isa, babe, it’s me,” came from the other side of the closed door.
I rushed over on bare feet. Even though this was a date, it was in my home. It wasn’t a fancy dinner; it was brunch. Which, in my limited experience, wasn’t cause for a full dress-up regardless of what Jasper claimed. If Kyson wanted to date me, he was going to get me. Isabeau “Izzy” Collins. An easygoing chick who loved to laugh and enjoyed the hell outta life. I didn’t want Kyson to see me pretending to be someone I’m not. Being dressed to the nines had its place and I liked doing it for special occasions, but I wanted a man who liked me as I came.
The only concessions I did make were to put on some light makeup and pull my crazy hair half up so it was out of my face while the back fell all the way to my bra strap in loose, curly waves. I wore a simple black tank top dress that molded to every one of my curves and fell to my ankles. I added a long silver chain that held a dangling quartz crystal I’d picked up at an arts festival outside Illinois. On my wrist was my mother’s bangle and a long, wide silver ring that went from my knuckle to the webbing of my fingers.
Simple. Easygoing. All me.
I opened the door with a smile and received one in return. Kyson was dressed much the same as I’d seen him prior to our date. Faded jeans. A deep emerald-green short-sleeve shirt that buttoned up the front but was still casual enough to wear out to lunch or the beach. On his feet were a pair of brown suede somewhat dressy lace-up shoes that showed he put the right amount of effort into his attire.