“There have been a few break-ins in the area,” Jimmy says as the front door opens and Kendall walks in. Concern is etched upon her face as she stalks toward me, her head darting sideways when she passes my studio, and lines furrow her brow.
“She wouldn’t stay put,” Crusher says, ambling in the door behind her, followed by Viola and June. “She was freaking out you were hurt.”
“What’s going on?” Kendall asks, skimming her gaze around the room.
“Jimmy spotted someone climbing the fire escape, and we came to investigate. The asshole got away, but it doesn’t look like he took anything,” I explain, wishing I could pull her into my arms and kiss her worries away.
“I’ll install an alarm system and some security cameras,” Jimmy says. “I’ve been meaning to get around to it. Now seems as good a time as any.”
“I’ll pay for them,” I offer.
He shakes his head and waves his hand in my face. “I’ll write it off as a business expense.”
Now isn’t the time to argue with him, so I drop the subject. But it’s got me thinking, and I need to have a private conversation with Kendall. I glance over her shoulders at her two friends, who are quietly taking everything in. “We’ll have to call it a night, and I need a word with Kendall.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the office,” Kendall says, turning around and yanking June into a hug.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch,” Viola says. They quickly embrace, and then everyone leaves.
“Come here,” I say when the front door is closed. She falls into my arms, and I hold her close. “I’m okay. Don’t worry.”
She fists my top as I smooth a hand down her hair. “But I do worry. Was it your dad?”
I exhale heavily as I steer us toward the couch. “I don’t know. Could be, or it was a thief. Apparently, there have been some break-ins in the area.”
“The security cameras are a good idea either way.”
“I agree, which is why I want to install some at your house. An alarm system too.” I settle her by my side on the couch.
She tucks her hair behind her ears before turning to face me. “That’s a good idea. I’ll take care of it this week.”
I press a kiss into her hair. “Let me organize it. I’ll have to do it for here anyway, and I can probably get a better deal for two properties.”
“Fine. But I’m paying.” She narrows her eyes, warning me not to disagree. “Curtis will have to pay half, and it will piss him off.”
“It shouldn’t,” I bark, my mood souring like it always does anytime that prick comes up in conversation. “He should want to pay it to ensure his family is safe, and he should have suggested it before he left.” What man abandons his family without taking every precaution to ensure their safety? I take deliberate, slow breaths, calming myself down. “I don’t want to take any chances. What happened tonight might not be coincidental.”
She cocks her head to the side. “Did something else happen with your dad I don’t know about?”
“I spoke to my mom last night.” I can’t stop the smile forming on my face. “She’s divorcing him, Kendall. As soon as she gets out of rehab, she’s getting the paperwork drawn up.”
“That is wonderful news. I’m happy for both of you.”
“Reconnecting with Dana was the best thing for Mom. She seems able to get through to her in a way I haven’t. Rehab is going well, and she’ll be out in five weeks.” I trail my fingers along her face. “She asked me to come visit. Something about a family therapy session, sans the asshole, naturally.”
“Are you going to go?”
I bob my head. “Yeah. I think it could be good. Painful, but good. I am thinking of going next month, at the start of spring break, and combining it with a trip to Yale. I would like to check out the campus and maybe view a few apartments.” Wetting my lips, I peer into her eyes. “I was hoping you might come with me.” She chews on her lip, and her brow scrunches up. “But it’s totally fine if you can’t.” I rush to reassure her as my heart sinks.
It’s not really fine. I want her with me so badly. I want her involved in the decisions I’m making about my future because it impacts her future too. Plus, I want to spend time with her in public without the fear of anyone seeing us. I want to take her out for dinner, and make out at the movies, and walk hand in hand along the beach without worrying we’ll be caught. I want a taste of what it’ll be like to love her freely, but I won’t pressure her.
“I want to go with you.” Her fingers trace through the growth on my chin and cheeks. “I want to explore Yale with you and help you to find a place to live. I want to enjoy spending time together without having to constantly look over our shoulders.” Our thoughts are always so in sync. “Leave it with me.” She leans in and kisses me. “I’ll try to work something out.”
39
KENDALL
“For the record, I think that is a really bad idea,” June says as we exit Bentley Law out onto the sidewalk. “Like really, really bad.”
“I have to do something,” I say, loosening my scarf because it’s not quite as cold as it was when I arrived at work this morning. For early March, the weather has been milder than usual. “I won’t let Greg ruin everything Vander has been working towards.”
“You are doing something,” she says as we head in the direction of the restaurant where we’re meeting Viola for lunch. “Both of you have new security systems, and you’ve set up a meeting with a Yale financial aid officer. Della told Carly she’s pretty confident Vander will get full financial support. She said Yale’s financial policy is strictly needs based and they support students’ needs with no loans required.”
“I’m encouraged to hear that,” I truthfully admit. “And I’m confident he’ll get full financial support, but it’ll mean jack shit if his father uses his contacts to rescind his place on the art program. I know you think that’s unlikely, but you don’t know what that man is capable of.”
She slams to a halt, tugging on my elbow and pulling me in to the wall, away from the busy street. “I know exactly what that asshole is capable of. I work with him too, and I’ve heard all the rumors. Why do you think I don’t want you to go ahead with your plan? Baiting him is too risky, Kendall. You could lose everything and make things worse for Vander. Have you considered that?”
“Of course, I have.” I rub at a tense spot between my brows. “But I can’t sit back and let this play out how Gregory Henley expects it to play out. He has an agenda, and I’m not going to be a pawn in whatever sick game he is planning. He is not using me to get back at Vander, and I’m not letting any man manipulate me again.”
She tugs on my elbow. “We better get a move on. Viola will bust our balls if we’re late.” We resume walking. “I understand where you’re coming from. You love Vander, and you want to protect him. That’s noble but not if you end up sacrificing your career for him. How will you support your kids if this backfires and you end up out of a job?”