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I grin. “Then I’m definitely going to need some sustenance if I’m going to have any kind of stamina. Something quick though. Let’s stop at a sandwich shop or a café on the way. You sure you don’t mind that I’m dressed like this?”
Kenzie gives me the once-over. “Are you kidding? The fact that you’re even willing to be seen in public in that thing is like a wet dream. I think I’m rubbing off on you.”
I take the bag she’s carrying and reach for her hand, being sure to give the guy behind the desk a wink as we pass.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“What? Nothing,” Kenzie says—or lies, would be a more apt description.
“Bullshit. You do this thing with your nose when you don’t like something.” I pick up my sandwich out of the wax paper and take a bite. Bloody hell, they gave me the wrong sandwich.
“What thing with my nose?” She tilts her head.
I shrug. “I don’t know. This thing… it sort of wiggles a bit. I don’t know how to describe it. Anyway, you’re avoiding the question.”
She sighs and her shoulders sag. “I think they put whole milk in my peppermint tea instead of skim. It’s not a big deal.” She lifts the cup off the table to take a sip as though to prove what a big deal it isn’t, but I snatch it from her grip first. “Hey!”
“I’m going to have them make it properly for you and ask them to make me a new sandwich without the tomato like you asked for.” I walk over to the counter and explain the issue to the girl.
She apologizes and is more than happy to make a replacement drink and a new sandwich. When she slides the new items over the counter to me, I accept them with a smile, go back to our table, sit, and eat my sandwich again.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Kenzie looks at the cup as though it’s personally offended her.
“I don’t like that you won’t stand up for yourself. I’m not saying you have to be an asshole, but don’t let people take advantage of you. You’re too nice.” I grab my drink and take a swig of it.
“I just don’t feel comfortable complaining. I mean, what will they think?”
“That they fucked up your order and need to fix it.” I take another bite of my sandwich.
She frowns. “But what if they think I’m a bitch?”
“First off, you couldn’t be a bitch if you tried. You’re basically a ray of sunshine in human form. And second, you care too much about what other people think of you. Do you know you’re a good person with good intentions?”
She looks at her hands in her lap. “Yeah…”
“Then what’s it matter what anyone else thinks?”
“I guess. I just like it better when people like me.” She spins her cup around in place.
I can’t help but think that her need to be liked is somehow tied to the lack of attention she received from her parents growing up, but I’m not idiot enough to say that.
“Listen…” I take her hand. “I just don’t want to see anyone take advantage of your kindness because you’re afraid to speak up for yourself, that’s all.”
She squeezes my hand and nods. “I know. I know you only want what’s best for me.”
With a nod, I let her hand go and finish off my sandwich. “You ready to make good on our deal?”
Pink suffuses her cheeks. “Ready, willing, and able.”
Kenzie always knows the right thing to say.
ChapterThirty
Kenzie
We walk home in the cold, hand in hand. A few people give us a funny look, but Andrew doesn’t seem to notice.
When we’re only a few blocks from my house, it begins to snow. It’s the kind of snow that sort of drifts down and looks light as a feather. The kind that won’t stick or be here tomorrow.
