Page 48 of The Reluctant Flirt


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She laughed as Aspen bumped against her. “I like the cat idea.”

“Me, too. Childless cat ladies are popular, at least.”

“Stop.” A laugh bubbled from her. “How’s the engagement planning going with Kane?”

Sierra tried not to react. “Good. We’re, umm, working on it. There really is no reason for him to be involved. I’m happy to do it myself.”

Aspen tapped her lip as she seemed to ponder. “I know he’s a peacock, but he was really there for Brick. He stepped in to help with Ziggy’s Tours, and he’s tried hard to become a part of the community.” A tiny frown creased her brow. “Can you give him a chance? Let him be a part of the planning? He doesn’t have any family and sometimes I—”

Sierra stopped at her car. Heart beating furiously, she looked at her sister. “What?”

“I feel bad for him. I think he’s lonely.”

The words tore through her and caused more damage than she admitted. She took the opportunity to dig. “Yeah, but is it because he did something terrible in New York and now has to pay the price?” she asked. “He was in jail, Aspen. That’s a big deal. Do you know anything about what happened?”

Aspen sighed. “Not really. He hasn’t even told Brick all the details. We just know he was arrested, but then they dropped the charges, and he was out of a job. He seems to want to rebuild his life. We’ve spent a lot of time together and I trust him.”

Dread pooled in her stomach. She didn’t want to think of Kane being a victim. Her sister hadn’t met the man he was years ago. He admitted ruthlessness in getting what he wanted and the way he looked at money as his only goal. Sierra knew he had demons—but didn’t everyone have some crap from the past they needed to transform?

Kane admitted he hurt people. She wasn’t okay with letting someone like that in her life. Someone who would only choose himself when the stakes were high.

Someone who found it easy to leave.

The thought confirmed her decision to not get involved. “Just be careful. You were always easier to trust than me,” Sierra said.

“Will you try, though? To be nice to him and let him do some stuff?”

Ah, crap. Normally, it would be a loud no, but Aspen looked so eager, she decided to give in. “I’ll try.”

“Good enough.” They hugged. “Want me to go with you to the shelter?”

“Nah, I’d like to do this on my own. It’s a big decision, and I want to be guided to the right cat naturally.”

“Okay. Call me after your date to give me the deets!” Aspen called, walking away.

“Will do!”

Sierra drove home and tried not to think about the kiss with Kane. His departure reeked with a warning he’d only gotten started in his pursuit, and now with Aspen’s plea to involve him, Sierra was completely mixed up.

Best to take one step at a time. Brooklyn had been pushing hard to set her up with this guy, and after the confrontation with Kane, she’d decided it was a good time to declare boundaries. It would firmly show she wanted to move on in a new direction. She’d get a cat and open her home up to a new family member. And she’d invite Kane to a few vendor appointments, then call it a day.

She could handle it.

No problem.

Kane walked into his office and sat at his desk. Once, his view had been the skyscrapers of a powerful New York City skyline. He’d sat in a designer leather chair, stared at walls covered in expensive art, and had a private wet bar for cocktails.

Now? His chair hurt his back; the space was cramped and held a bunch of file cabinets, a battered desk, and a lone dorm refrigerator. The plaster walls had dings and dents and was painted a sad Eeyore gray. His view was a parking lot.

His lips twisted in a rueful half-smile. It was another reminder not to count on anything for too long. Not money, security, or power.

The thought was depressing so he pushed it out of his mind and focused on what he could control. His comeback. The big return to the property world in the Outer Banks. There were endless opportunities to make a splash. He’d been scouring the landscape and trying to put something big together to make an impression on his boss. It only took one deal to change everything. He knew, because he’d done it before.

And he was going to do it again.

On cue, Duncan strolled in. He was an older man with neatly combed back white hair and blue eyes that were too kind for this type of business. Silver glasses perched on his broad nose. His suit was gray like the walls and off-the-rack, the hem of his pants dragging a bit on the floor for his average height. Kane tried not to judge. He had a thing with designer clothes and the way they made him feel. Funny, he understood Sierra’s passion for fashion. It was amazing how the right outfit could center someone and give them power. It was just another bond they shared. “Morning, Kane. I’ve got something for you.”

His boss took a seat in the cheap fold-out across from him. He was a good guy but lacked vision. Then again, he didn’t seem to have the hunger to make his own business bigger and better. “Stealth Property contacted me, asking to scope out a space to build one of their resorts. They have certain specs I sent over. I thought you’d be interested.”