Page 121 of Help Wanted

Chapter 20

As Kenley’s words sank in, so did his heart. She somehow knew Courtney was his weakness. No, not somehow. Sidney must have told her.

He loved his sister, but he really wished she would learn to keep her mouth shut. Especially about things that were sure to get him into a heap of trouble.

The sight of Kenley biting her lip and looking around the room caused the air to get stuck in his chest. She was upset. She looked unsure of herself. He knew what that looked like because he’d felt the same way all through high school.

Ignoring the wave from his old friend, Dan, he took Kenley’s hand and led her outside to the large patio, moving to the darkest corner so they could have some privacy.

“You seem to have some information.” He wasn’t angry, but his words came out rather harsh. She pressed her lips together and looked away from him.

“I know you used to fantasize about a girl when you were in high school, and that girl looks like me. You thought we looked enough alike that you passed me over for a job I was qualified for so that you wouldn’t have to feel rejected all over again.”

Christ. She had a lot of information. But not all of it.

He nodded before he spoke.

“Yes, I had a crush on Courtney a long time ago. Yes, when I saw you I felt vulnerable and weak all over again. I was wrong not to hire you because of it, and I did the right thing eventually, which is how you came to work for me.”

“Because you wanted to use me to feel like a big guy now.” Her words stung and he tried not to lash back at her, though he didn’t like being accused of using her, for any reason.

“At first I tried to stay clear of you, because I didn’t want to feel like the nerdy kid drooling over the hot girl again. But then I got to know you and I tried to stay away from you for a different reason. You are my employee and a damn good one. I didn’t want to risk messing that up.” How futile that goal had been.

“But eventually, I realized I couldn’t stay away from you. I didn’t want to. Because I like you. You, Kenley. Not the girl I originally thought you looked like. In truth, I don’t see a lot of similarities between the two of you anymore. She’s very pretty, but you… you have my heart, Ken. You’re the woman I love, now that I’ve finally figured out what love is really about.”

Finally, he’d said the words that had been building in his heart for months. To his surprise, it wasn’t difficult at all.

He smiled down at her smile.

“You love me?”

“You. Only you.”

“Am I being stupid?”

“A little bit, but I still love you.”

She reached for him as he bent to press his lips against hers.

When he kissed her, everything changed. The people from his past faded into nothing and the only thing left was her and their lips pressed together, and the feel of his hand on her back through the thin fabric of her dress.

She was gasping for air when he finally released her, eyes blazing with some emotion he’d never seen before. He remembered her almost confession earlier and swallowed.

“I love you too.” She whispered. “I figured it out a little while ago.”

“And you didn’t say anything.”

“I was going to. I was waiting for the right time.”

“We’re so bad at this. I’m shocked we’ve gotten this far,” he said, causing them both to laugh. She leaned up to kiss him again.

He looked around the patio. Some people were staring at them. Ellen Dunning, whom he remembered had once told him she would go out with him if he stopped hanging with the losers. Those losers had been great friends.

“I thought I had something to prove to myself by coming here, but I was wrong. I’m happy with my life now. I don’t need my past to remind me of that.”

“We’re free to focus on our future?” This question might have freaked him out earlier, but now he had the answer.

“Yes. We’re free.”