“So how exactly did you get caught up in Damon’s problems?” Kira asks the million-dollar question.
How do I explain this without giving her the wrong idea?
“We sort of have an acquaintance in common. A guy my father used to do business with. He deals in a lot of illegal, extracurricular activities. And Damon’s father, Griller, owed him a lot of money. When Griller passed away, that debt rolled over to Damon.”
“That’s sucky.”
“It gets worse. Because my father was who he was, he was able to strike up a deal so Damon could pay off his debt in installments. Once my dad died, the agreement was terminated, and now the guy wants the rest of his money. Immediately.”
Kira nods, following my explanation. “Okay, but how do you fit into the mix?”
“Well.” I swallow a giant gulp of prosecco to quell my nerves. Talking about Damon is never easy. “He had guys watching Damon. And after the funeral, Damon and I sort of reconnected, in a way.”
“Reconnected? Like, hooked up?” Kira interprets.
“We spent the night together, yes. I was really upset, and he offered to be a shoulder to cry on, and after a bottle of tequila and a half bag of blow, one thing led to another.” I leave the story at that. She can use her imagination to fill in the blanks.
“So, you guys are like, together?”
“No, not in the least bit. Damon is . . . well, Damon is . . .” I search for the right word. “Complicated. We had a brief thing in the past, but it ended horribly.”
“So, you’re here for moral support?” Kira seems confused.
“I was enlisted to keep my eye on him. I’m here because I don’t have a choice.” I explain cryptically.
“The guy Damon owes money to, he’s threatening you?” Kira leans over and whispers.
“In a nutshell.”
Her facial expression turns dire. “I know Ky would never let anything happen to someone he loves. We’ll get the money.”
“Damon is hellbent on doing it on his own.”
“Well, he’s not on his own anymore. Whether he likes it or not.”
“By the looks of things this morning, it’s definitelynot.”
Kira suddenly looks at her watch, then taps the face. “Speak of the Devil. Ky wants to crash our dinner.” She turns her head as if instinctively. “Too late. He already has.”
I follow her eyeline to find KyandDamon walking through the restaurant. My heart does a little flutter in my chest.
“Sorry,” Kira mouths as Ky sits down next to her, puts his arm around her, and delivers an unapologetic kiss.
The love the two of them share is clearly undeniable. Kira literally lights up with joy during their showy embrace.
“Hey.” Damon slides in next to me.
“Hey, yourself. Did you and Ky have a good chat?”
“As good as it could be.” He doesn’t sound thrilled, but not upset either.
“Well, nothing appears to be broken, so I’ll take that as a good sign.”
Damon scoffs with amusement. “I guess that’s one way to look at it.”
James appears at the table, and Damon takes it upon himself to order two Miller Lites. I guess girls’ night is over.
As Ky settles in, he zeroes his attention directly at me. “Been a long time, Livey.” He seems quite happy to see me.
