Kane watched her dance and felt transformed.
There was something about seeing her so free and expressive, not giving a shit who was looking, not giving a crap who she impressed, that made her the sexiest woman he’d ever seen.
“You got it bad, man.”
He turned to see Marco watching him with his usual grin. The young man sported his usual shaggy brown hair that screamed surfer dude, but his golden-brown eyes were clear, and not foggy with his tendency to smoke weed on Hump Day or weekends. “I do,” Kane admitted. “Has there ever been a woman you couldn’t forget?”
“Yeah.” His gaze held a tumble of memory. “I was in love bad once but I lost her. Couldn’t get my shit together.”
“You were too young. I’m past thirty, and I’m just getting my shit together.”
Marco laughed. “Doubt it. Look at you. All Bond-like and smooth. You’re also a good guy. Helped Brick out when he needed it. Helped Judy out with the sea turtle watches. Helped me with that finance program I would’ve never figured out. Maleficent said Mrs. Simone told her you drive her around so she doesn’t have to pay for Ubers and discovered you were secretly paying for half of her groceries because she’s on social security. Sierra would be nuts to reject you.”
Kane scratched his head and considered his words. “But does that make me a good person for a relationship? I keep things to myself. In fact, I have something big to tell her and I’m afraid it may break us.”
“Communication in a relationship is key to it all. You gotta tell her. They always find out the truth anyway. If you lie, you lose her. Better to confess and beg for forgiveness.”
He pondered the words. “Smart advice.”
Marco gave a long sigh as he stared longingly to the dance floor. Kane caught Maleficent laughing with Aspen and Sierra, spinning on her heel, her fuchsia strands of hair whipping in the air. “Maybe you can do me a solid and help me with Mal. I’m crazy about her, but she won’t give me the time of day.”
“She’s older than you, Marco.”
“By eight years, man. I’ve been living on my own terms since I was seventeen. Had to take care of myself since no one else would. I know how I feel and what I can handle. I just want a shot to show her I think we can be great together.”
Surprise hit. It was easy for everyone to dismiss Marco. But Kane also knew there had been a lot of changes in him the past year. He got serious about his business and began making a profit. He stopped taking off lunches and closing up at all hours. He began studying marketing. He was also well-read and could dive deep into various conversations.
Kane wondered if he was being too quick to judge like so many others. Mal had gone after a man who was a few decades older when she was with Brick’s grandfather, Ziggy. Why not be open to someone younger if he was the right fit?
“Before you decide to change yourself, you gotta be serious about that woman. She’s not out for play, Marco. She wants a real relationship.”
“So do I.”
Kane looked him in the eye and only saw resolve and a new maturity that had been brewing for a while. “Okay. I can help you. But you have to play the long game. Women need time to see a man in a new light. The first steps are easy because it’s surface. The deeper levels will need to be revealed slowly. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yeah. Am I getting a makeover? ‘Cause that’s fire, man. Just like in all those romance novels where the heroine is transformed except, I’m the hero.”
Kane blinked. “Sure.” He gave Marco’s casual cargo pants and black t-shirt a shudder. He was actually wearing leather sandals. “You’re not Jesus. You are a serious businessman like she is. Take your clothes seriously, and it’s the beginning.”
“Got it.”
“And you gotta get rid of the hair.”
Marco paused, then sighed. “I’d do it for her.”
“We’ll talk more about this later.” Kane glanced toward Sierra with a slow smile. “I have something important to do.”
He thumped Marco on the shoulder and headed to the dance floor.
It was time to tell the woman he loved the truth.
Chapter Nineteen
“A good shoe is not one that dresses you but undresses you.” – Christian Louboutin
When Kane claimed her on the dance floor, she was ready to go.
One long look was all it took. The party was beginning to wind down. She was giddy, happy, and a little bit tipsy. The only thing she wanted was for Kane to take her home, take her in his arms, and take her to bed.
