Page 23 of Finding Kenna
“I’m not the kind of person who can simply turn my back on someone who needs help. So yeah, I wasn’t going to let you and Carly walk through a dark parking garage to your car when we don’t know where that asshole is.”
“He’s probably still at the police station,” Kenna said.
“Maybe. Maybe not.” Aleck’s voice lowered. “I’m not trying to be controlling here. I swear.”
Kenna eyed him for a moment, then nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m being unreasonable. I’m actually grateful you and your friend are here. Paulo or Justin usually walk me to my car after work, but having you here is…”
Aleck raised an eyebrow when she didn’t finish her thought. “Is?” he asked.
“Nice.”
“Come on,” he said, gesturing ahead of him. “I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
Kenna smiled slightly at him and nodded. “Yeah.”
They walked side-by-side until they got to the street and took a right. They could see Carly and Jag ahead of them, and there were quite a few people milling around the sidewalks, even at the late hour.
The silence between them was comfortable rather than awkward, but eventually Kenna broke it. “Tonight’s been…interesting.”
Aleck smirked. “That’s one word for it.”
Kenna returned his smile. “I…” She paused, then muttered, “Shoot.”
“What?”
“I hope after everything that’s happened, you might still want to chat?”
Aleck looked down at her. “Chat? Oh yeah,” he assured. “You’re the most interesting person I’ve met in a very long time, Kenna. I definitely want to ‘chat’ with you some more.”
“Good. Me too.”
Without thought, Aleck reached for her hand. She didn’t pull away when his fingers curled around hers. And long before he was ready, they reached the parking garage, where they got in the elevator with Carly and Jag and headed up to the floor where Kenna had left her car.
She led them toward a brown Chevy Malibu that had seen better days. Figuring he didn’t want to push his luck, Aleck refused to comment on the beat-up looking vehicle.
As if she could read his mind, Kenna said, “It looks much worse than it is. I’ve got a great mechanic and he keeps her running. Besides, no one’s gonna want to steal it.”
“That’s for sure,” Jag muttered.
Kenna simply chuckled.
“Thanks for the assist tonight,” Carly said, speaking for the first time since they’d all gotten in the elevator together.
“You’re welcome,” Jag said.
“Of course,” Aleck told her.
“First thing tomorrow, go and apply for that protective order,” Jag ordered.
“I will.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you kept me updated,” Jag told her.
Carly looked uncertain. Then, even though Aleck and Kenna were standing there, she blurted, “I’m not looking for another boyfriend.”
To Jag’s credit, he didn’t even flinch. “What about a friend?”
The look on Carly’s face screamed “skeptical.” She turned and looked at Aleck. “Has he ever had a friend who was a woman before?”
