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“I like him, too.” He more than liked him. “I’m going to marry him, Nettie.”
“Oh?” Annette chuckled, leaning sideways to bump her shoulder against his arm. “Does he know that?”
“Not yet.”
He knew Kai wasn’t ready to hear a declaration of love, let alone a marriage proposal, but it didn’t change how he felt. There was time, and he’d wait as long as it took.
Dinner had been an animated affair, with lots of conversation and laughter. Kai didn’t necessarily want kids of his own. In his mind, he’d already raised one, and that was more than enough. Still, spending time with Bas’ nieces brought back a lot of memories of when Melissa had been that age.
He did miss it…just a little.
Maria and Sophie kept up a constant stream of chatter, but Angie barely spoke throughout the meal. She certainly went out of her way not to talk to Kai. Twice, she’d been reprimanded for her behavior, but Kai didn’t take it personally.
Angie was still grieving from the loss of her father and the subsequent changes that had happened in her life after his death. Bas couldn’t replace her dad, but he’d certainly stepped in to fill a void. Now, he was spending time with someone new, threatening that very fragile balance.
“Mr. Kai?”
“Hmm?” Coming out of his thoughts, he blinked several times at Maria. “What is it, sweetheart?”
“Your phone is ringing.”
“Oh.” Sure enough, he could feel the vibration inside the pocket of his jeans. “I guess it is. One second, kiddo.” Leaning back on the sofa, he retrieved it and frowned at the screen before answering. “Melissa?”
“He broke up with me,” his sister sobbed over the line. “Daniel dumped me!”
Kai couldn’t exactly be sorry that he was out of Melissa’s life, but he hated that the idiot had hurt his sister. “I’m so sorry, baby.”
“No, no.” There was a long pause, presumably while Melissa pulled herself together. “I shouldn’t have called. I’m sorry I interrupted your dinner.”
“Stop it. I’m glad you called me.” No matter his feelings on the situation, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his sister. “I’m always going to be here for you, Mel. You know that.”
“I know.”
“Do you want me to come home?”
“No.” She sniffled again. “I’m okay.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t know why I called.”
Kai’s lips twitched at the corners. “Make some popcorn and pick a movie. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“Okay.” The relief in her voice was nearly palpable. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Kai. You’re a good brother.”
When he disconnected the call, he found two sets of big, brown eyes staring up at him. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“You can’t go,” Maria whined.
“I have to.” Gently, he tucked a dark curl behind the little girl’s ear. “My sister needs me. If your sister was sad, you’d want to help her, right?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“I’ll come back. I promise.”
“Cab’s on the way.” Strolling into the room, Bas waved his phone at him. “Do you want me to come with you?”
Kai pushed up from the sofa and shook his head. “Stay here. We’re just going to watch old movies and eat popcorn and ice cream until we explode. You really don’t want to witness that.”
