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“We did,” Ash grits out, and he doesn’t need to say more. His face tells me everything.
I finish my coffee and catch Ash checking the time. “Aren’t you meant to be working today?” I ask, taking my cup to the sink and rinsing it off.
“I was, but I took some time off,” he answers, joining me at the sink.
I take his cup from him and rinse it too. “You didn’t need to do that, Ash,” I say, turning to face him.
“I did and it’s done. Come on or we’ll be late.” He drops a kiss to my forehead then heads for the front door as I grab my bag and phone from upstairs.
Ash already has the car running when I step outside. I quickly close and lock the door with the key Ash left in it. Jumping in the car, I go to hand his key back, but he shakes his head.
“It’s yours. If you want it?” His words appear casual, but underneath I hear the thread of nervousness at the thought I might turn him down.
“If I want it?” I repeat his words, tilting my head and offering a crooked grin. “I’m not sure that’s the most romantic way to give a girl free rein to come and go at your house as she pleases.”
That earns me a look I should be afraid of. And when he leans forward, getting in my space, desire sparks in all the right places.
“It’s yours and you’ll use it to let yourself into my house every day when you come home to me, Kenzie. There’s no question in there. As for romance, just you fucking wait.” He brushes his lips over mine in a gentle caress that is going to have me on a knife edge of want for the rest of the day. And by the cocky smirk he’s wearing as he starts the car, he knows it.
Bastard!
When we pull up to Morning Kick, my mom is already there waiting for me. She looks nervous, and I don’t blame her. Coming here, agreeing to go inside a place I’ve not stepped foot in for over six years is going to test me.
Ash opens my door for me, and I step out. He grips my hand in his as we walk to my mom.
“Morning, Ash.” She greets him with a warm smile. “Kennedy,” she says, stepping forward and embracing me. I give her a one-armed hug in return, pulling away quickly when I feel my emotions taking hold.
“Hey, Mom,” I say, then move toward the door. One foot in front of the other. Mom goes ahead of me, opening the door for me.
The smell of freshly ground coffee hits me in an instant, suffocating me with its aromatic memory. I feel Ash’s hand squeeze mine, reminding me that he’s here and I’m okay.
I stop, turning to him. “I…I don’t think I can do this,” I whisper, leaning into him so only he can hear me.
“Yes, you can, Kenz. It’s just like with the car and the house. I know it hurts but focus on the good. Memories that make you happy.”
I let his words wash over me, soothing some of my anxiety, some of my anguish, at being in the place my dad and brother took their last breaths. It doesn’t help that I now know my dad was murdered here. That Nolan lost his life trying to get my dad out even though he must have known Dad was already dead given the bullet hole through the middle of his head.
Mom is still holding the door open for me when I look back at her. She smiles softly, but I can see the worry on her face. Again, I wonder how in the hell she ever managed to rebuild this place and continue to work here. And just like any mom, she knows exactly what I’m thinking.
Stepping back outside and letting the door swing closed, she cradles my face in her hands. “Kennedy, I come back here because it’s where your dad is now, where Nolan is. This was always my dream, one your father gave me, and despite what happened here, he worked hard to help me achieve it. Of course, it hurts to be where there are so many memories, but it’s those memories that keep me coming back. Keep me getting up every day and carrying on.”
I swallow the lump that’s worked its way up from the pit of my stomach. It’s a tangled knot of emotion that I don’t know how to deal with, but I need to if I have any chance of moving on with my life. And I want a life. I want a life here, in my hometown, with my mom and Stu, I guess, which also means Jackson. But I want a life with Ash, one I was meant to have six years ago. One that the bastards who stole my dad and brother away from me also stole.
I let the tears fall and nod my head. “Okay, Mom.” She nods then releases me, and I swipe at my wet cheeks, catching a glimpse of Ash’s taut expression. “Hey,” I say, tugging on his hand to get his attention.
“Don’t like seeing you cry, Kenz. Makes me so fucking mad.” He pulls me forward as my mom holds the door open for us again. This time, I don’t hesitate and step inside.
The ground coffee smell hits me again only now it comes with a plethora of memories that flash through my mind like a home video. Each one brings a smile to my face and shows my dad and my brother exactly how I wish to remember them.
As I look around, I can’t believe how different the place looks. But it still has that home comfort feel my mom and dad created. On the left, the counter runs almost the full length of the room with high red leather cushioned stools, and covering the wall behind is a huge blackboard listing our extensive menu. I see some old favorites mixed with some new ones. To the back of the room, the wall is made up of bookshelves, beautiful hand-carved wooded shelves with cabinets beneath. And over to the right, are several high small round tables with the same stools as at the counter with booths in between each one. The decor is rich dark browns and blacks, but the large window at the front provides more than enough light to compliment it.
“Oh my god, Mom, it’s beautiful,” I manage to say as I well up for a second time. The place isn’t open yet, and I spot a familiar face, and one I wasn’t expecting to see.
“Kennedy, this is Lily. Lily, my daughter, Kennedy,” Mom introduces us, and I nod in greeting to her. Neither one of us mentioning the fact we’ve already met. That’s a conversation I intend to have later away from my mom.
Ash doesn’t miss the look between us though, and I lean in and whisper that I’ll explain later. Seeing Lily reminds me to ask him about his reaction when I mentioned that Doctor Edwards had a granddaughter.
Mom takes me through to the back, going over everything that’ll need to be done while she’s away and the day to day running of the place. Nothing much has changed on that side of things, although she insists on giving me a quick brush up of my barista skills after I make her an espresso that leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. After an hour of watching Lily, who is a master already, and serving a few customers of my own, I tell Mom she can go home and finish packing. She looks a little unsure, but Lily assures her that we’ll be fine and call if we need anything.
