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“I bet the tourists love that. Hot firefighters rescuing a stranded kitty.”
My lips twitched. I pressed them into a firm line. I couldn’t afford to find anything about her charming. “You have no idea.”
I was just grateful nobody seemed to have shown her the charity calendar we’d posed for a few years ago. Mum had been raising funds to support the repainting of a bunch of buildings on Centennial Street and had emotionally blackmailed us into taking our shirts off and posing with dogs for a calendar to support the efforts. She’d conned all of the Braddock men—including Dad, because apparently women love silver foxes—and most of the guys at the fire station into participating. I was just glad I’d been further along in the calendar. Asher had been on the cover, and Toby was Mr. January. Of course, my player of a baby brother had lapped up the attention.
A timer pinged, and Kennedy served the grilled cheeses onto a pair of plates. We moved to the sofa to eat, with a TV show on in the background. We made occasional small talk, but true to her word, kept everything surface level.
By the time I left, I wasn’t convinced she’d completely recovered from the day, but the puffiness around her eyes had reduced, and she’d smiled once or twice. I felt all right about leaving. Even if everything else felt upside down.
I’d had a nice time with her, and that was dangerous.
ChapterThirteen
KENNEDY
Hi Liam,
You know what the weirdest thing is about being an actress? People recognize me when I’m out on the street. They talk to me as if they know me. They mean well, and most of the time I’m happy to meet fans, but every now and then, I can’t help feeling a bit violated. Like I have no right to privacy, and every part of my life can be used to entertain the public.
It’s times like that when I wish I had you to confide in.
I miss you every day.
Love,
K xx
The next morning,I was less of a mess than I’d expected to be, thanks to Liam’s evening visit. Even though we’d been tense, both afraid to put a foot wrong, we’d had a civil conversation, and it felt like progress. It had been kind of him to check on me when we weren’t on speaking terms, so I wanted to thank him.
I walked to Taste of Destiny a little before the change of shift happened at the station. I’d asked how the roster worked when I’d discussed a donation with Parks, and it was useful information to have. My intention was to bring him a coffee to start his shift. I made my way inside the cute cafe and joined a line of locals looking for their caffeine fix before work.
“Kennedy, hey.”
I jolted in surprise, my hand flying to my throat. Aiden Waldron stood behind me. Discomfort curled in my gut. My security team had cleared him of having any prior convictions or allegations of stalking or abuse, and they confirmed that he had a valid reason to be in the area, but my gut told me not to trust the guy.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in Queenstown?” I asked, unnerved.
His eyebrows drew together. “We stayed there Saturday and Sunday nights, then came back late last night. Hey, are you okay after what happened yesterday?”
I felt a chill. “What do you mean?”
He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, the barista interrupted, calling my name.
I turned and gave Eden a tight smile.
“What can I get for you?” she asked.
“One trim latte and one cappuccino with cinnamon, please. Both large.”
She jotted down the order. “Coming right up.”
I paid, and she took Aiden’s order, still surreptitiously sneaking glances at me. The girl could never have a career in acting. She was too obvious.
“So, who’s the other coffee for?” Aiden asked me as we stood to the side to wait for our drinks.
“An old friend of mine.” I didn’t like the way he asked as if he had a right to know.
“Just a friend, or…?”
