She steps inside and presses her back against the metal wall.
I pull out my phone. Check my texts from Ryan. Manning has been an absent owner for years. Ryan and I more or less manage the place.
We try to check with each other about any changes—schedules, pricing, difficult clients, even what brand of coffee we keep on hand—but it's a formality.
Neither of us listens.
Brendon: I want to do it. Me and you. Or the four of us.
Ryan: You know I'm off relationships.
Brendon: And I?
Ryan: Only have eyes for Kaylee. You sure about this?
Brendon: Yeah.
Ryan: You call Anna?
Brendon: You call anyone?
Ryan: Fair enough. I'll let Dean and Walker know. Can you meet with a lawyer Friday?
Brendon: I'm booked all day. But I'll make it work.
"Ryan?" Kaylee asks.
"Yeah." I slip my phone into my
pocket. Try to wipe my smile off my face.
She notices. Bites her lip. "You told him."
I nod.
"It's really happening?"
"There's a lot of legal shit first, but—"
She throws her arms around me and buries her head in my chest. "Congrats."
"Thanks." I press my palm between her shoulder blades, over her cardigan.
It's not like with other women.
I feel Kaylee in my bones.
She doesn't hide her sigh when she pulls back.
There's something up with her. Something she isn't saying.
Her eyes find mine. "How is he?"
"Same as always."
"Pining and moody?"
I chuckle. "Don't let him hear you say that."