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GoodGirlKay:Video chat?
“Kayleigh!” her father shouted up the stairs and Kayleigh yelped, leaping back from her computer like she’d been caught doing exactly what she was doing.
“Yeah?” she shouted back, her voice strained.
“Your Gammy is on the phone, she wants to talk to you!”
Kayleigh sighed, then pushed away from her computer and went downstairs, hoping her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. She chatted to Gammy briefly, promising to come over and see her soon. When they hung up, she went back upstairs to her computer, eager to pick up where she and King left off and see what his reply was.
An ache pierced her chest when she looked at the screen and saw one new message.
GreenEyedKing96 has left the chat.
*
Chapter 10
The following day when Kayleigh arrived at the bar to prep for the wedding reception, Ben was already there and looking fine as all hell in his black pants and black button down, his blond hair slicked back, and a slight scruff on his jaw where he hadn’t shaved.
“Hey you,” she said, trying to walk towards him on jelly legs, ready for his smile to send her into a melty puddle of need.
“Hey,” he replied, glancing briefly over his shoulder but not meeting her eyes.
“Everything okay?” she asked, her brows pulling together in concern. His back was tense, the muscles rigid beneath his shirt and when his eyes swiveled to her again she thought she saw guilt shining back at her but she must be imagining it. Either way, he definitely seemed off.
“Yep, you?”
She nodded and he turned away. She frowned at his back before retreating to Taylor’s office to store her bike helmet as usual.
“Did you open up this morning?” she asked when she re-entered the main bar.
“Yeah, had to let the caterers in early and start setting up.”
“Guess Taylor really trusts you to give you a key now, congrats. It’s hard to earn her trust, she must see something special in you.”
Ben turned to face her, his expression unreadable. He opened his mouth, but no words came out and then he just lifted one shoulder in that casual shrug he was so fond of doing.
“I see something special too.” She couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out. Kayleigh 2.0 was clearly in charge without her permission. What was she even saying? They barely knew each other but she couldn’t help feeling a deeper connection, like she’d known him so much longer.
He rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes avoiding hers. “Uh, thanks.”
She spun away, embarrassment flaming her cheeks as she digested what she’d just said to him.
“Right then, I’ll put these up.” She grabbed a floral garland and headed towards the small stage in the corner. They moved around each other in sync, him tackling all the decorations that required being hung up high, clambering up the ladder with ease, his fear of falling not stopping him, and her sticking to all those that were displayed lower down.
When Taylor arrived, looking a little wide-eyed and pale, they were all set to pour drinks ready for the guests, before Taylor disappeared into her office.
Kayleigh watched Ben serve the guests, laughing and joking with them, but every time he met her stare, his eyes shuttered. What the hell was going on?
They took a break while Taylor gave a heart-felt speech about love, toasting the happy couple before everyone poured over to the bar. Then they were back working in sync, moving swiftly past each other but now, Ben no longer gripped her by the waist, no longer brushed against her. In fact, he actively avoided her, and she was beginning to feel pissed. She didn’t understand. Was he feeling weird about what she said to him?
Later, as the evening was winding down, Kayleigh glimpsed Taylor talking to Sheriff Blake and his fiancé Justine, then Beau came over and wrapped his arms around Taylor. When they kissed, Kayleigh grinned and happiness, only happiness, flooded her that the two of them had made up.
Christy, the bride and Taylor’s best friend, broke away from her new husband and came over to the bar, needing some water.
“Can I just say you look absolutely stunning, Christy, congratulations!” Kayleigh enthused. The petite blond flushed prettily, and Kayleigh pushed a pint of water across the bar to her.
“Thank you, darlin’, that’s very sweet of you,” she replied, gulping the water down.
