AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"I… um," I moaned. "I don't know what to say. Really, I don't."
"How about:It is good to see you, Kaden. Or:Nice to see you, Kaden. That would be a good start, wouldn't it?"
My mouth opened, but no sound escaped my throat. I was too stunned to say anything.
So Kaden took the matter in hand. It was enough to make me freeze into a pillar of salt briefly. He put the box down on my dresser, came toward me with heavy steps and then wrapped his arms around me– together with the blanket, which slid to the floor.
Suddenly, he was not the only one wet. The warmth of his body slowly sank into mine. "I'm glad to see you, Nika. I know it's stupid to just show up like this, but…"
I had no choice but to wrap my arms around him as well. "But…" I groaned, barely able to catch my breath as he held me so tightly.
"But it's your birthday, and I wanted to make you happy."
Kaden. I hadn't seen him in years. I had not spoken to him for so long. The only time I ever saw him was when there was a gossip magazine article about him. Or about the many stories about women that had followed him since he was a young man. He hadn't got rid of them, and ever since he had been in the public eye, people loved to report that he had changed his girlfriends like his underwear.
And now he was standing right in front of me. I felt so much joy, because his status as my best friend had probably not changed, no matter how many miles and time had separated us since then.
As if by itself, a grin spread across my face. Was this what they called fate? Showing up on my birthday when I was miserable?
As if joy had been his cue, he loosened his embrace and reached for the soaked cardboard box, pulling off the lid with wet hands. Several thick, round balls of pastry emerged, all dusted with sugar and fried in fat.Malasadas. From the little bakery right on our favorite beach, if I had to bet.
I felt tears well up in my eyes, even though it was unnecessary. What Kaden had done was more than just a nice gesture. It felt like he'd kicked open a door that hadn't been closed.
Not a cheesecake I didn't like. It was not a half-hearted birthday greeting, because that was expected but my favorite pastry straight from O'ahu. An eight hour flight. He had waited in the rain while I debated whether he was a serial killer.
I wiped my treacherously runny nose with the back of my hand, then pulled him into another hug. A real hug. One that didn't make me feel stiff.
"Thanks," I murmured softly against his shoulder, because I wasn't tall enough to reach his ear. "And now you should get out of your wet clothes."
He pushed me away, one eyebrow raised.
"Because if you don't, you'll get sick, Kaden. Not because I plan to thank you with sex."
"Sure," he replied with a smug grin. "Was too good to be true."
I shook my head and tapped him on the shoulder. "I'm sure I've got some shirts lying around somewhere."
"Whose?"
"From my ex. They should fit you just fine."
"No."
"You don't know what he looked like."
He tilted his head. "No," Kaden repeated more vehemently. "I'm not walking around in your ex-boyfriend's clothes."
"But you would naked?"
"If I have to."
His expression made it clear he would make good on that threat– if it was a threat at all.
Fuck.
Kaden
Even as I registered her shock and saw her emotional side moments later, I realized I was in the right place at the right time. The flight to Iowa hadn't been such a bad idea after all.
