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I place my elbows on the table. “Kennedy, I’m not about to let anyone kick you out of your flat. Now, tell me about him.”
“His name is Leroy Brown.”
“I know that much from the letter. Where does he live?”
Kennedy shrugs. “Somewhere in Manhattan, I think. I’m not sure. I know his office is in Manhattan. In any event, it doesn’t matter. He said it’s a done deal. He’s already sold the building.”
“Bollocks.” I lean forward and take her free hand. One thing I’ve learned is you can accomplish just about anything for the right price. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do, but—”
“Nobuts. Let me handle it.”
“Fine.” She frowns. “But I don’t think there’s anything that can be done.”
After we eat, Kennedy excuses herself to wash up in the bathroom.
I take the moment to send a text to Joyce, my personal assistant in London. I give her the address of Kennedy’s building, along with Mr. Brown’s name, and ask her to find out everything she can about the sale. Namely, I want to know who bought it.
My phone vibrates almost immediately, and I glance down in surprise to see Joyce’s reply.
Joyce: I’m on it. I’ll send the info as soon as I can.
I’m impressed she’s answering my messages this late on a Sunday evening. I text her back.
Me: When I get back, remind me to give you a pay rise.
When Kennedy reappears, I suggest we take a walk through her neighborhood. I want to get a feel for where she’s been living her life the past few years. I want to know everything.
We exit her building and stroll along the pavement, hand in hand, as she gives me a walking tour. She shows me where she does her shopping and where she gets her hair cut. We stop at a local ice cream shop for cones to take with us. We visit a local park and watch the children at play. It’s summer holidays, so the kids are off school. She points out everything of interest, and it’s clear from the tone of her voice that she really loves it here.
When we get back to her flat, we relax on the tiny settee.
“I’m sorry it’s so small,” she says.
“No worries,” I say. I can barely stretch my legs out fully. “It’s fine.”
Like we’ve done so many times before, we end up watching a rom-com. I make fun of the characters and the predictable storyline while Kennedy occasionally snorts with laughter. Honestly, I don’t care what we watch. I’m just happy to be here with her.
How easily we fall back into our familiar routine. How easily the air of awkwardness fades, and it’s almost like the years we were apart never happened.
Occasionally, I catch her watching me with an air of sadness that concerns me. “Is something wrong?” I ask her.
She shakes her head and smiles. “No. Nothing.”
And even though she’s smiling, I still detect a hint of sorrow in her beautiful eyes.
I lean close and press my lips to her temple, lingering a moment to breathe in her scent. “Everything’s going to be fine, Ken. I promise.”
As the movie comes to an end, she yawns.
“It’s getting late, and you have work tomorrow, don’t you?” I ask.
She nods. “I guess I should think about going to bed.”
I stand and scoop her into my arms. “Yes, we should.”
Chapter 20
