She drew in a deep breath, returned his smile, her heart feeling the rightness but her brain suddenly feeling thewrongness. Not only because of his silly compliments.
She licked her lips. Snatched her glass of water and took a sip. Her fingers shook, so she tightened her hold on the glass. Perhaps she’d never been on a date, but she knew this one was awkward. They were struggling to find a conversation.
Disappointment sank into her belly like a stone. She got to her feet, intending to run to the bathroom, call Momma, and beg her to pick her up ASAP.
Kaia stood.
“I-I’m tired,” she said lamely, her voice trembling. How close to tears she felt shocked her. “I’m ready to go home.”
Kaia balled his hands into fists. “Don’t—”
“I have to, K-Kaia. This date was so important to me. I don’t know if you’re lame and corny. Or if you know my detail is watching. Or if you still see me as CJ’s little sister.” Or if he worried about paying the tab. “It doesn’t feel right between us.” When they texted, words came so easily from both of them. She’d expected the same on an actual date. “I value myself and my time too fucking much to sit here and feel so awkward.”
He stared at her a moment, then burst out laughing. Walking around the table, he hugged her.
“I’ve never had a chick read me the way you didandstand up for herself all in one breath.” He kissed her cheek, settled his hands on her upper arms, and smiled. “My family doesn’t have money. I went to Ridge Moore through financial aid, funded by the school. I had to maintain my grades so the debt would be forgiven. Same with Kayce.”
“Ridge Moore has financial aid?”
He nodded, then dropped his hands and stepped back. “Don’t go, Reb. Please?”
She hesitated.
“I know those bikers are here for you. I know they’re packing and it makes me a little fucking nervous. If I do the wrong thing, I can get my ass shot off.”
“They won’t do anything. Luckily, they couldn’t hear you say you want to kiss me.” She flushed at the thought, then looked at the table where the guys sat, staring in her direction. “I can ask D. Elliot to put us in a private room.”
“No!” Panic flared in Kaia’s eyes. “They’d barge in and shoot me on GP. Besides…” He thrust a hand through his sexy hair. “Fuck, man, I’ve never wanted toimpress a girl as much as I do you. After taxes, I clear just under five hundred bucks a week. I’m saving for a car. I live over a garage and pay a grand a month. I…fuck! Girls usually pay my way on dates.”
She snapped her brows together. “I didn’t think to pay our tab. Ididconsider how to help out, though, by having our date put on my daddy’s account.”
He winced. “That would’ve been worse.”
“Actually, it would’ve been the best you got. There’s no fucking way I’d take out my debit card and pay for a dateyouinvited me to.”
She returned to her seat, so he sat again as well.
“You suggested J’s,” he argued.
“You asked me where I wanted to go.”
He nodded at their menus. They had yet to pick them up. The minute the hostess guided them to the table, D. Elliot was there.
“You’re so gorgeous,” Kaia said. “I was expecting you to be in jeans, T-shirt, and boots. But you look like a doll.” He leaned closer. “A fuck doll.”
She blinked. Those voices rose again. She couldn’t turn and see about the commotion. Kaia’s gaze held her captive.
“I like you a lot, Rebel. But I want to fuck you, too—”
Before he finished, a crash interrupted and startled Rebel. She jerked toward the sound. The handymen had all converged at the bar and—
“Reb?”
She jerked in surprise and swung around. Somehow, Bishop ended up behind her and she hadn’t noticed.
Heated whispers carried to her. They almost sounded like—
Bishop grabbed her hand. “We need to talk,” he announced, glaring at Kaia, who flushed.
