by Jiffy Kate
Kadi actually looks surprised to see me waiting for her, which is weird. I told her I’d be here to take her home. Well, to my place, specifically. LuAnne is standing by her and I watch as Kadi whispers something to her before walking over to my car. She doesn’t walk to the passenger side, though, and my stomach drops a bit when she knocks on my window and motions for me to roll it down.
“Hey.” Her greeting is shy, apprehensive even. A mixture of dread and anger fills my bones as I look at her. She’s going to turn me down and I don’t think I can handle that right now. Not after the night we spent together.
“Good evening, Kadi. Are you ready to go?”
“Well, um, I’m going to spend the night at LuAnne’s place.”
“Why is that?” I have to grind my teeth to keep myself from saying what I really want to say.
No. You’re coming home with me. I want you. I need you.
She places her hand on my arm and I turn my head, looking at my steering wheel. She’s trying to soothe me because she knows I’m upset and, somehow, it works, even if it’s only a little bit.
“LuAnne lives close to me … close to the diner. It’s just … easier if I stay with her until I get my new key.”
“Easier?” I ask, challenging her, because I want to call bullshit.
“Nathan, I can’t keep taking advantage of you. I owe you more than I can ever repay at this point.”
“Taking advantage of me?” I scoff at her. “How many times do I have to tell you I don’t want you to pay me back? That’s not why I’m here. Believe me, getting to help you and take care of you is purely selfish of me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Let me take you home … to my home and explain it to you.” My voice is low but still commanding. I use my finger to trace circles on the skin of her hand and wrist, making her shiver. She’s struggling with her decision, I know it, and I’m an asshole for pressuring her but I don’t care.
I want her.
LuAnne clears her throat and my trance over Kadi ends. She gives me a sad smile and says, “I can’t, Nathan. Maybe another time?”
“Sure.” I straighten up in my seat and start my car.
Kadi surprises me by sticking her head through my window and placing a kiss on my cheek. Her kiss is soft yet searing at the same time. It’s not nearly enough but will have to hold me over until I can have her again.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Kadi,” I tell her. It’s a promise she knows I won’t break.
She nods her head before giving me a small wave. I watch as she and LuAnne walk away before I drive myself home, a shot of whiskey and a cold shower calling my name.
Chapter 3
I swear, the only thing that’s pushing me out my front door is the fact I’ll be seeing Kadi soon. I slept like crap last night and I may be dealing with a small hangover, as well. Thankfully, I’ll be back to normal once I have Kadi in my sight and pie in my stomach. And coffee. Lots of coffee.
Walking into the diner twenty minutes later, I sit at my usual table, scanning the room for my favorite waitress. For a second, I allow myself to worry, thinking something bad might’ve happened at LuAnne’s place or while she was on her way to work this morning but I quickly relax and put those thoughts behind me when I see her walk through the kitchen doors.
She walks up to my table and her smile is bright and genuine. She looks happy and safe and that makes me happy.
“Good morning,” she says, but when she gets a proper look at my face, her beautiful smile fades. “Are you okay?”
“Of course, I am. Why do you ask?”
“Well, to be perfectly honest,” she whispers, before looking back over her shoulder. “You look like shit. Or as shitty as you can look.” She clears her throat and averts her gaze, her cheeks flushing a little.
I can’t help but laugh at her honesty. I like it. It ranks up there with her stubbornness and tenacity.
“I didn’t sleep very well last night,” I admit.
“Oh, I’m sorry. What was wrong?”
I stifle my amusement at her question and naivety. How can she not know?
“You weren’t there,” I tell her.
Her eyes widen a little at my confession and she looks around the room to make sure no one’s watching before she slips into the booth across from me. “I don’t know what to say,” she admits. “I know you said you wanted me to come home with you, and I’m not going to lie, I wanted to. But it feels so fast. And what I said yesterday is still true, I don’t want to take advantage of you. And I know you said I’m not, but I feel like I am.”
“So, that’s it?”
“What’s it?” she asks, playing with the extra napkin on the table in front of her.
“One night. That’s all I get?”
“Uh, no. I mean, I wasn’t sure—”
“Let’s get something straight. When I say I want you at my apartment, it’s because I want you at my apartment. Nothing more, nothing less. If you want to take me up on that offer, I want you to. If not, then that’s up to you.”
I watch as she swallows and bites down on her lip, similar to yesterday morning when I had her pressed against my counter.
“I just need to figure this thing out with my key and my apartment,” she begins, worrying the napkin between her fingers. “I still haven’t been able to get in. I can do laundry every night at LuAnne’s and help her out while I’m there, so I don’t feel like such a mooch.” She laughs lightly, but stops when she sees my stern stare. “As soon as I make it through this week, we’ll figure something out.”
“What’s the hold up with the key?”
She rolls her eyes and lets out a huff. “What’s always the hold up?”
“Money?”
“Yes. My super claims he doesn’t have a spare, not that I would want to stay there knowing some stranger has access to my apartment, but it would be nice to have my toiletries and clean clothes. I’m tired of washing this thing every night,” she says, pointing to her uniform. “I feel like a homeless person, but at least LuAnne took me to the store for necessities and I’m not sleeping on the street.” She sighs, giving me a knowing look. “And don’t say you’ll pay to have the lock and key replaced, because I might scream. I’m tired of feeling like a charity case.”
I laugh, shaking my head at her ridiculousness, but also wanting to pull her across this table and make her forget about the key and the apartment and anything else standing between me being with her.
“How about I do one better?” I ask, an idea coming to mind.
She quirks an eyebrow at me and twists her pouty lips to the side. “Like what?”
“I have a business proposition for you.”
“You’re not going to pay me to be your beck and call girl, are you?”
I throw my head back as a laugh erupts from my chest. This girl. “No,” I tell her, straightening back up and staring her in the eyes, taking in every bit of the deep brown eyes staring back at me. “Not that I wouldn’t like you to be at my beck and call, but I was thinking more along the lines of you baking for my mother’s Junior League luncheon.”
“Oh, the event you mentioned a week or so ago?”
“Yes, she still needs desserts. And I had mentioned that I might know someone.”
“Me?” she asks, the blush on her cheeks back.
“You.”
“Well, I … I would love to do something like that, but—”
“The money for the pies would be paid up front,” I tell her, seeing the worry start to creep on her face. “I could have payment to you tomorrow. She’d need the pies the day after. I know it’s short notice, but you’d be compensated nicely.”
Her eyes begin to take on a different light—it’s possibility and excitement.
“Well,” she says, biting the side of her lip. “I could probably use the diner’s kitchen after hours. I’ll check with Mack.”
“If that doesn’t work, my kitchen is always open.”
“
But I wouldn’t even know what to charge or …”
“I’ll do you a favor and ask my mother what she normally pays. How does that sound?”
“Okay,” she says, nodding her head and looking at me like I just offered her a trip to Paris.
“Okay. Now, I need pie.”
“What can I get for you?” she asks, standing up and taking out her order pad, resuming a more professional tone and demeanor.
“Whatever you’re offering.”
“One slice of cherry pie, coming right up.”
Chapter 4
“Hello, Nathan,” my mom says from the other end of the line.
“Hello, Mother.”
“What do I owe the pleasure? I assumed with your busy schedule that I wouldn’t hear from you until dinner on Wednesday.”
“I have an answer to your dilemma.”
“And what would that be?”
“You mentioned your normal dessert shop closed down and you were looking for somewhere to buy desserts for your Junior League event this week. If you haven’t found a last-minute substitution, I have someone in mind.”
“Is Hendricks Holdings acquiring dessert shops now?” she asks with a laugh. “I wouldn’t put it past you and your father, with your sweet tooths.”
“No, but I met someone.” The way those words come out of my mouth make them sound like they mean more than an acquaintance. And they do. Kadi is much more than an acquaintance.
“Well, I had come up with a solution, but you have me intrigued. However, I’m sure they’re not going to be able to turn out twenty desserts on such short notice.”
“She will. I’ve already asked her, and she’s definitely on board.”
“She?”
“Yes, Kadance Davis. She’s a waitress at Mack’s Diner around the corner from the office and she makes the best pies I’ve ever tasted.”
“A waitress at Mack’s Diner?” she asks with a hint of distaste in her tone. My mother is amazing in so many ways, but she can’t help the fact that she was raised with money and with that came a preset for being pretentious. She doesn’t mean to be, it’s just in her DNA. Usually, with a little persuasion and insight, she finally sees the light and lets her preconceived notions fall to the wayside.
“Don’t be like that, mother. If you want to try them first before you commit, I can bring one to you tonight.”
“Well, beggars can’t be choosey, right?” she asks. “And I can’t be the laughing stock of the Junior League. We all know hand-crafted desserts are a must to a successful luncheon.” I know she’s joking now, because my mother doesn’t care what those ladies think of her, but she does like to do everything with excellence. So, there is probably some truth in what she’s saying.
“I’ll drop by around seven.”
“Okay, bring me something good.”
“I will.” I smile, knowing she’s curious, but just not asking questions. Yet.
Hanging up from her, I dial the number to the diner and make a mental note to buy Kadi a cell phone. I can’t believe someone in this day and age doesn’t have one. I doubt she’d accept something too fancy, but I can at least get her one of those pay as you go things, just some way for me to talk to her when I need to.
“Mack’s Diner. How can I help you?”
“Kadi, please.”
“Just a second, sugar,” LuAnne croons.
Table 10
“Thank you for baking this for me on such short notice,” I tell Kadi, handing her a twenty for the pie. “Keep the change.”
“Mack only charges ten. You get a discount for buying the whole pie,” she says, handing me back my change.
“Keep it. And tell Mack he’s letting people commit highway robbery. I asked my mother what her old place charges, and she paid three times what he charges and your pies are ten times better.”
“Thirty bucks for a pie?” she asks, her mouth dropping open in surprise. “That’s highway robbery.”
“People don’t mind paying for perfection.” I can’t help letting my eyes glaze over her with those words. She’s perfection. “I’m guessing you’re staying with LuAnne again tonight?” I ask, hoping she miraculously changed her mind.
“Yeah, we’re closing together and her son is stopping by to pick us up when he gets off his shift at the engine shop a few miles from here.”
“Hmm.” It’s the only response I can muster without sounding like a dick. I’m glad she has a ride, but I don’t like that it’s not me.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’ll drop the money by to you in the morning.”
“Any requests?” she asks, and it takes me a second to realize what she’s asking.
“Lemon?”
“I can do that,” she says with a wide smile. “I make a killer lemon pie.”
“I bet you do.” Looking around the diner, I’m pleased to see that outside of a couple sitting in the corner booth, the place is empty. So, I lean over the counter and pull on Kadi’s apron, brushing my lips over her jaw, inhaling her sweet scent. I’m slowly becoming an addict and my drug of choice is her. “See ya tomorrow.”
“Mmm hmm,” she hums.
Pulling away, I watch as her eyes slowly flutter open.
“Have a good night.”
“You too.” Her smile wavers as she works to compose herself.
I turn toward the door, feeling smug for leaving her so flustered. I’d like to give her more, but unfortunately, we both have to be patient.
Chapter 5
Pulling into the lot behind the diner, I park my car close to the back door and grab a bag from the backseat. It’s for Kadi. She’s going to fight me on it, but I’m going to win this battle.
As I walk up to the door, I worry that I’m going to scare the shit out of her. She’s not expecting me. But I know she’s here. She told me this morning at breakfast that she’s baking the pies for my mom’s event tonight after the diner closes and there was no way in hell I was letting her stay here alone.
I knock lightly, knowing the back door is steps away from the kitchen, so she should hear me. After a few seconds, I knock again, louder this time. Turning my ear toward the door, I hear movement, so I wait.
“Who is it?” Kadi asks, her voice a bit nervous.
I don’t like that she’s nervous, but I do like that she took my advice from a couple of weeks ago and asked who it is first before throwing the door open.
“Nathan.”
There’s a pause and then the sliding of a lock. The door opens and a flour-covered Kadi is standing on the other side, a vision in white.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, her eyes wide, but the smile on her face tells me she’s happy to see me.
“I couldn’t let you bake alone.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, come be crazy inside.” Opening the door further, she pulls on my arm. The smell coming from the ovens is mouth-watering. Kadi is mouth-watering. My senses are on overload. “Have you had dinner?”
“Yeah, I had a late business dinner or I would’ve been here sooner.”
“Well, you didn’t have to come at all.”
“Yes, I did. There was no way I was going to leave you down here by yourself late at night. It’s not safe.”
“It’s safe. I have the doors locked.”
“And what about when you’re finished? Are you planning on staying the night here?”
“Actually, yeah.”
“Are you kidding me?” I ask, turning around to face her.
“No, I figured it’ll take me the better part of the night to make these pies,” she says, motioning to the counter behind her. “Mack’s oven is only big enough for four at a time, and most of these pies need to bake for forty-five minutes. I started early, but I’ve only got four done so far, and four more in the oven right now. So, by my calculations, I’ll be baking until at least two o’clock.” She pauses, fidgeting with her apron. “I figured I co
uld just catch a few winks in one of the booths.” The last few words come out quieter and slower as she watches me.
“Well,” I start, trying not to sound pissed, because I’m not pissed at her. I just don’t like that she has to work so late or that she’s planning on sleeping at the fucking diner. None of that is okay, but I admire her work ethic and the fact she takes so much pride in herself and her work that she’s doing the best she can with what she’s been given. I fucking love that. It’s so admirable and attractive and makes me want her now more than ever. “I’ll stay with you. And if by chance, the Pie Gods shine down on you and you finish a little early, I’ll take you to my place and let you sleep for a few hours and I’ll have you back here first thing in the morning. How does that sound?”
A small smile grows on her face before she walks over to where I’m standing and gently kisses my cheek. “I’d like that.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, pulling her to me.
“For what?” she asks, leaning back in my arms.
“For not fighting me on this.” As much as I love Kadi being strong and tough as nails, I also love that she’s starting to ease up a little and let me do things for her.
She laughs, looking away. “Well, sometimes I get tired of fighting.”
“So, maybe now’s a good time to give you this?” I hand her the bag I brought in with me.
“What’s this?”
“A phone. You need one. I need you to have one for when I want to call you.”
“I can’t really afford a monthly phone payment and before you even go there, you’re not paying for it.”
“Well, I’ve already loaded it with minutes and, eventually, when it runs out, you can buy more, whatever you can afford. So, there’s no contract or obligation.” I loaded it with 1,000 minutes, probably more than she’ll ever use, but she doesn’t need to know that.
She’s pensive for a moment, her eyebrows furrowing as she tries to decide what her argument is going to be or whether she’s going to just accept the damn phone. I watch and wait.
“Okay,” she finally says. “LuAnne’s been on me for months about getting a phone, so this will make her happy too.”
