Me: Guessing Barbra? If you must know, yes. Kallie is staying with me because her power went out.
Kiernan: did you sleep with her yet?
Me: Not that it’s any of your business, asshole.
Me: No. I didn’t, and I’m not planning on it.
Me: She’s my best friend's daughter.
Kiernan: Shayla is going to eat this up.
Hold on, I’m gonna add her to the chat.
Me: Don’t you dare.
Kiernan added Shayla to the chat.
Kiernan: Lance has his best friend's daughter at his house because her power went out.
Shayla: OMG, Lance, that’s so cute!!!
Did I mention Shayla is a romance author?
Me: would both of you stop? I’m not pursuing anything with her.
Me: She’s too young and probably wants more than I can give her.
Me: oh, and yeah, let’s not forget about the part where she’s ROBERT’S DAUGHTER!
Kiernan: Bro, who cares? He’d probably be happy his daughter is dating a good man.
Shayla: Awe, a forbidden romance. I can see it blossoming now <3
Shayla: on a serious note—do you like her? If you do, don’t waste time fighting your feelings, Lance.
I read Shayla’s messages over a few times. Do I think I could have feelings for Kallie? There has always been something between us, but I’ve never been sure what it was. Every time I was around her, I didn’t want to leave. Then, she moved with that stupid boyfriend to the city. I knew how much it hurt Robert when she stopped coming around as much. The night Robertcalled me, I had no idea he would tell me Kallie was back, that she was coming to the bar. The moment she walked in, I was overjoyed at the sight of her.
Maybe it was just never the right time until now. Maybe I could give in and have one night with her, just one night of nothing holding us back. No thinking of the consequences, just two people seeing if there could be something between them, even if we shouldn’t.
Chapter Nine
Kallie
Alex hasn’t stopped callingand texting me. I don’t understand why he thinks I want anything to do with him, why I’d want to waste more of my time. He has already taken three years from me.
Alex: Please, Kallie. Just talk to me. I’ll tell Rogers to give you your job back. I miss you.
Swiping left, I delete his message, along with the few before that, and set my phone back down on the little table next to me. After what happened with Lance—or I guess what almost happened—I figured a little space was good, even if I wanted nothing more than for him to be back between my legs.
It’s freezing out here, but the view makes it worth it. The tall pine trees are covered in snow, making it look like something you’d see in those pretty screensaver photos.
I can’t take my eyes off them.
The back porch is beautiful. String lights are strung around the beams and out a few feet, wrapping around the trees. The soft glow makes everything look so much more magical as the sun sets behind the trees.
The seat next to me dips, and Lance plops down next to me with two steaming cups in his hands.
“Figured I’d find you out here,” he says, handing me the same mug I used this morning.
