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“There’s more and you want to show me.” She set her glass down. “I trust you. Tomorrow is fine. I want to go.”
“You won’t regret this.” He kissed her hand. “I promise.”
Marco placed the salads in front of them. “Would either of you like some fresh ground pepper?”
“Yes, I’d like some please,” Julian replied.
“Me too,” Kayla added.
Once Marco finished, he walked away again, leaving them to enjoy their salads.
“I spoke to my parents today.” Kayla wiped her mouth with her napkin before placing it back on her lap. “My dad’s birthday is coming up and they’d like us to come for dinner. Jack and Caroline are going too. A few friends and family. My mom reserved a dining room at his favorite hotel.”
“Just let me know when and I’ll make sure my schedule is clear. I have to give Chloe my calendar for the next couple of months early next week.”
“Okay.”
“Did you speak to your dad about your apartment?”
She shook her head.
“What are you waiting for?” he asked. “I thought we agreed that it would be best since you’re no longer living there.”
Kayla had moved in with Julian in the beginning of January. It made sense since she was there all the time anyway. She just hadn’t told her family yet.
“Kayla? Why didn’t you tell him?”
“It didn’t come up.” She shrugged as she reached for her wine.
“Of course it didn’t come up.” His jaw tightened. “How would he know to ask about a vacant apartment he was still paying for?”
“The lease isn’t finished until July.”
“That’s five months from now. I’m sure I could negotiate something with the landlord and get you out of it. Or we could sub-lease it. Why should your dad pay for something you’re not using? It’s not economical.”
“That makes sense.” What Julian said was logical, but she was afraid her father wouldn’t see it that way.
“But?”
She didn’t answer him, because she didn’t want to offend him. Her dad liked Julian, but she got the vibe he didn’t like him with her.
“Is that your safety net?”
“What?” She didn’t understand.
“Do you want to keep your apartment in case we don’t work out? Because if that’s the case, I would never put you on the street. I can’t imagine my life without you, but if you’re afraid to give up your apartment...” He leaned back in his chair. “You know what, it’s okay. Do what you need to do.”
He took a sip of his wine. His jaw was even more tense than a few seconds ago, and his eyes were trained on his salad. She wished he would be more dominant now and just tell her what to do. Even if she didn’t obey him, at least she would know what he was thinking.
“Are you brooding?” she asked.
“What? I don’t brood.”
“Not usually. You’re always so confident, and when you want me to do something you just tell me to do it.”
“No, I don’t, because if that were true, you’d already be a permanent resident in my penthouse. I can’t force you to move in with me.”
“I practically am.”
