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Kane whispered in my ear, “I read that hugs are highly underrated.”
“I agree,” I said, hardly able to catch my breath, I was so overcome by him. I hoped I never recovered.
A Secret Behind the Eyes
The tour allowed time for us to walk around the site on our own. As fun as the tour was, I was happy to spend some alone time with Kane. He took my hand like it was second nature as we strolled around the abandoned warehouses and streets. Seeing the location in person made me appreciate how much Hollywood had to do to make it seem like one of my favorite shows was truly shot in an apocalyptic world.
“We didn’t get to finish our discussion about Naomi.” Kane didn’t beat around the bush.
“Why are you so interested in Naomi? She and my father divorced a long time ago.”
He swung our arms between us. “Because I can tell she’s important to you and to your father.”
I kicked a pebble in front of me. “I suppose that is a poorly kept secret. It’s not your mother, if that’s what you’re worried about. I think it’s that Naomi was there for my father after he lost my momma, and he can’t forget that, or won’t. And she’s the only one of his wives who didn’t want him to forget about Momma. For that, I don’t think he will ever forgive her.”
Kane stopped and tilted his head. “You are so much more mature than your age gives you credit for.”
“That’s what Naomi always says.”
“Tell me more about her.” We continued to walk in the oppressive heat. I didn’t mind though, because I was with Kane. And even though my hand was sweaty, so was his.
“She’s pretty much perfect. She always knows the right things to say. Whenever I’m with her, I know that I belong somewhere.”
The corners of Kane’s mouth lifted. “I’m glad. Everyone needs that.”
I nodded.
“How did your father and Naomi meet?”
I let out a deep breath. “Well . . . Auggie doesn’t like me to speak of it, but . . . my momma suffered from postpartum depression and took her own life right before my first birthday,” I rushed to say quietly. “She overdosed on painkillers.”
Kane stopped with his brows raised so high that his forehead crinkled into oblivion. “Scarlett, I’m so sorry; I had no idea. I was told your mother died in a tragic accident.”
“Don’t apologize. That’s the story Auggie wants told. He didn’t believe my momma would ever do such a thing. That’s where Naomi came in. She’s an independent forensic pathologist. Auggie hired her to prove the county coroner’s report wrong.”
“I take it she didn’t.”
“No. And Naomi is never wrong. She’s worked on some pretty famous cases, not only in Georgia but around the world. She’s my hero.”
Kane leaned in closer. “Interesting. Now it’s all making sense. Why you skip weddings to watch forensic pathology documentaries; the way your eyes light up when you talk about Naomi’s career; your reluctance to learn your father’s business. I think I know one of the secrets behind those gorgeous eyes of yours.”
I bit my lip.
“It’s okay, you can admit it.” He was doing his best to coax it out of me.
I began walking, tugging him along with me, trying not to spill my guts to him. Though I wanted to so badly. I needed him to know everything about me. It was a strange desire seeing as I didn’t know him that well.
Kane followed silently for a moment before he asked, “Why don’t you tell your father the truth?”
I swallowed down my reply, and we walked along in silence, his churning thoughts almost palpable.
Gently tugging on my hand, he pulled me to a stop and intently searched my eyes. “You’re worried I’ll tell him,” Kane guessed, correctly interpreting my reticence.
“Kind of,” I eeked out, barely audible.
“Scarlett.” He pulled me closer. “I can respect that. But your secret is safe with me, even though I don’t think it’s something you should keep to yourself. If you want to be a forensic pathologist, that’s what you should do.”
I leaned against one of the brick walls, taking a reprieve from the heat of the sun and Kane’s words. Kane stood in front of me, his hand above my head, leaning in as if he might kiss me. In the reflection of his sunglasses, I saw how much my eyes were screaming for him to, though it terrified me. I had never truly been kissed, but somehow, I knew if Kane kissed me, I would never want to be kissed by another.
He didn’t kiss me. Instead, he ran his finger down my cheek.
I went from being warm from the sun and the strange stirrings I was having from being so near him to feeling blistering hot.
“Why are you so afraid to be you?” His minty breath lingered between us, making me lick my lips.
