Page 18 of Fighting Chance
I don’t know what compels me to ask it, whether it’s compassionfor the man who was beside me helping my best friend through her grief, empathy since he was there for her and Grayson when I couldn’t be, or sympathy as someone who always can extract a laugh from anyone in the room.
Kieran falls silent, and I realize with utter clarity that he can’t lie to me.
Before I know what I’m doing, I blurt, “She needs new clothes.”
Kieran barks out a laugh. “I just dropped a bomb on you that I have a three-year-old and that’s all you have to say?”
I can’t help but shrug. “Well, she does. They’re too tight.”
“All of her clothes that I was given are the same.” He turns to Bella. “I don’t suppose you have anything?”
Bella winces. “I don’t exactly have clothes for children lying around.”
“I can go to the store and pick up some things for you if you want. She seems the same size as my cousin’s kids,” I offer.
Bella jumps to stand, rushing to Kieran as she claps her hands with a squeal. “You know what, Kieran, that sounds like the perfect opportunity! Why don’t you drive Layla?”
She moves to take Emmy off his hands, her going willingly, but I know my best friend and I know thattone. I eye Bella, mouthing,What are you doing?
She pretends not to see me and all that does is let me know she absolutely is up to no good.
“I can go myself. It’s?—”
“No,” she blurts, sitting on the deck beside Grayson and already ignoring Kieran and me as they both start to fuss over Emmy. “Kieran will take you,” she says, leaving no room for argument.
She shoots Grayson a look, and his eyes widen before he nods along. “Yeah, that’s the best idea.”
Kieran frowns, putting his hands on his hips. “What are you two doing?” Their seething eye rolls has Kieran straightening. “Oh shit, yeah.” Turning to me, that charm dials on and Kieran flashes me a smile that has my core clenching.
God, this man is attractive. No wonder women drop their panties so quick for him.
He grabs a hat that was on the table and slides it on backwards, solidifying that thought as he winks. “Come on, Red, let’s go.”
Groaning, I drop my head back. “You did not just call me Red. Do you have no imagination?”
Ignoring me, he picks up his keys, only to pause by Emmy.
Grayson’s gruff voice snags Kieran’s attention. “She’ll be okay. I promise, Kieran. I won’t let anything happen.”
Kieran’s body locks tight before he forces out a breath, along with the tension. “I’ll be quick.”
“Take your time. You could use a breather.”
Spinning on his heel, Kieran puts his hand on my lower back, leading me toward the front door. I take a large step away from his touch as I feel the early onset of a shiver from just the mere graze of his hand.
“I know where to walk,” I clip.
“I see Berlin didn’t take that spark from you.”
I glare at him over my shoulder. “Hard to take something away when it’s only brought out by your presence.” Returning my gaze to the front door, I come to a stop, my nose wrinkling as I take in the driveway. “Where’s your car?”
Kieran’s brow quirks as he gives me a shit eating grin. “Miss I know where to walk suddenly confused?”
At my glare he clicks his tongue, jutting his chin to the front gate. “Parked it on the street.” Walking past me Kieran clutches his chest, his charisma returning the farther we get from the house. “I’m flattered that I bring out a new side in you though.”
Snorting out a laugh as we step through the front gates, Kieran opens his passenger door for me, allowing me to slide into the seat of his truck. As he jumps into the driver’s side and turns on the ignition, I drawl, “Trust me, it’s not something to boast about.” He backs out of the driveway, his arm slung behind my chair, and I have to pointedly ignore the veins rippling down his biceps. “Speaking of new facets in our personalities,DaddyAshford,” I say pointedly, “seems you left a few things out in your text messages.”
His brows flick up as we turn off Grayson’s street. “Oh, so you did receive them. I thought your phone broke.” He turns to me with a grin. “You know, considering you never responded.”
