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Chapter 9
(Lisa)
In his casual jeans and polo shirt, Kit was even sexier than she remembered from college. She much preferred him this way than in the suit at the office. Toni would argue that the suit was sexier, but not Lisa.
Catching the road her thoughts were traveling, she forced her attention back to the road ahead. She recognized the route within a block of her apartment. “Where are we going?” It was the route she took to Fern’s, her favorite little diner in New York, but surely he didn’t go there as well.
“I thought we’d go to this little mom-n-pop place I found when I first moved here from Charlotte. It’s not fancy, I hope you don’t mind.” He wheeled to the right and then into the parking lot.
Smiling despite herself, Lisa shook her head. “I know Fern’s very well. I don’t mind at all. When did you downgrade to these little places?”
“Downgrade?” He looked offended but then smiled.
“Yeah. The Kit Rydell I remember would never have gone to such a boring place where nothing was happening.” She opened her door and stepped out.
Stepping out, he looked over the car at her. “That hurts my feelings. I was never that shallow. I’ve always appreciated the quieter side of life.” He shut his door and met her at the front of the car.
Snorting laughter, she nodded. “Yeah. Just not when dining out, or going to parties, or, well, doing anything. You always wanted the biggest, rowdiest, loudest crowds so you could be center of attention, or you wanted to be in the fanciest places rubbing elbows with high-ranking richies.” She avoided his hand as he reached to take her by the elbow as he’d done in college.
Scoffing, he strode ahead and held the door for her. “At least I can get the door for you. I don’t remember you being so independent in school.” He said as she walked into the diner, giving him a hard look.
“Yeah and that didn’t work out so well for me, did it?” She shot the comment before thinking. One thing about being alone most of the time, she tended to say things before thinking them through when she was not alone.
Stepping into Fern’s behind her, Kit said, “Ouch. Wow.” He motioned toward a table and she shook her head and went to a booth. He slid into the opposite bench and eyed her across the table. “All right. So that’s out of the way. I deserved it. I can own my past actions and the consequences to them. Not a problem.” He opened his menu and stared at it.
“Sorry. That just kind of slipped out.” She stared at her own menu feeling like a heel suddenly. He had gone out of his way to be nice to her, but she couldn’t let go of the past to even give him a chance. She barely recognized herself in her actions sometimes.
“No, really, I deserved it. I did you wrong all those years ago and I’m sorry for it. I’ve regretted it many times, trust me.” He gave a short laugh that held no humor.
He had regretted doing her wrong. That was a step in the right direction. All this time she had thought he was out having the time of his life, sleeping around, hobnobbing with the rich and elite, and never giving a thought to how he had treated her. Or to how he had so deeply wounded her. She had been wrong.
“Do you mean that?” Her menu lay between her hands, forgotten for the moment.
He looked up at her with those gorgeous, warm eyes, twinkling and so full of life, and yet they seemed sorrowful at the same time. “Yes, Lisa. I really mean it. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’d love the chance to get to know you all over again. If you wouldn’t mind trusting me again.”
Lisa stared at him in disbelief, her heart skipping and stuttering in her chest. Could she trust her feelings to be safe with him? Could she give him a chance as an adult, and not hold the past against him?
***
(Kit)
As he waited for her answer, Kit reached over and laid his hand gently on hers. She was trembling slightly.
The Lisa he remembered was still in there, she was just hidden behind a wall that he had helped build. That saddened him, made his heart ache for what he had caused and so callously had gone on without addressing.
Everyone could change.
Kit felt that he had changed. His love for Lisa had changed into something more mature and lasting. He had been shallow and superficial in school. But he had learned since then that the world didn’t necessarily revolve around him and his family’s money. And no matter what, money alone cannot buy true love and contentment any more than it can buy happiness.
“I’ll understand if you say no. I won’t like it, but I will understand.” He took her hand in his and was mildly surprised when she allowed the gesture. “I’ll never lie to you again. About anything.”
He could feel her high emotions being held in check by sheer willpower alone.
After what seemed to be eons, she gave him the slightest of nods and pulled her hand back.
The waitress took their orders.
“I’ll give us another chance. But, up front, know that my career is very important to me and you can never blame my writing for anything like you did before.” Her expression tried to be hateful but came across as pleadingly stern.
“Believe it or not, your career is very important to me, too. You’re the main reason I went into the publishing business although my father was dead-set against it. He threatened to disinherit me if I put my name on the business.” Kit chuckled.
Her astonished eyes, rosy cheeks, and blooming smile made his day. It made it all seem worth the struggles, lobbying, efforts, and money.
