She looked up at him. His blue eyes still looked concerned, but he was obviously wanting to put her at ease.
“I figure we’ll grab a few things and then hopefully Papa will have a place we can head for. We can eat and you can get some rest until Papa has an exit strategy for us.”
“Thank you.” She was enjoying this brief glimpse of how it would feel to be the woman Chandler Delta was not only taking care of but seemed to want to be with. They’d been thrown together because of Mimi’s evil actions, but despite a lifetime of belittlement from her grandmother’s mouth, Kylee might feel some gratitude for the woman if it brought Chandler back into her life.
That was hoping for too much. She wasn’t a Chandler Delta kind of woman. This was only temporary, and she’d better keep her head on straight. She was grateful he was so kind and protective of her and she felt comfortable, safe, and thrilled to be with him just like she had as a sixteen-year-old.
All these feelings were one-sided, and she knew Chandler was an expert womanizer. Of course he’d make any woman feel like he was interested and make her feel safe and make her entire body tingle as he brushed his lips against her forehead before asking, “Dessert first? Cookies, pie, cake … gelato? Now that’s the ticket.” His eyes sparkled as if they weren’t in danger but simply out on a fun adventure. “Let’s get dessert and eat it while we explore all the food options. We can buy a bunch of food to take to the hotel and eat it family style so we can try different things. What do you think?”
She stared up at him. She thought she was in love with him. Could he honestly be that perfect? Dessert first? She hadn’t had dessert first with anybody else since her dad had died.
He’s out of your league, the snarky Mimi voice told her.
Tace, she commanded in Latin.
“I love gelato,” she managed, probably sounding nothing like the brilliant linguist and teacher people claimed she was.
Just another reason you’re fat.
Skáse, she begged in Greek.
She tried to ignore the voice. It came more often when she was tired and her defenses were down.
“Just another reason you’re so perfect,” he said, softly kissing her forehead and directing her to the closest gelato stand.
He was the perfect one. He’d devastated her at sixteen when he’d never texted or called, and she’d been too uncertain of herself to reach out first. Would she handle it any better as an adult when he went on his merry way dating models and influencers and being a superstar lacrosse player and she went back to her quiet life?
Kylee ordered the mint chocolate chip and Chandler got the mango. They savored their treats as they walked through the market. The gelato was absolutely delicious, and though Kylee should’ve been dissolving into a puddle of sweat and stress with the crazy turn her life had taken, she loved every bite.
Chandler asked her opinion on her favorite foods and then bought everything she liked—a lobster roll, a poke bowl with every vegetable they had and searing the tuna instead of eating it raw, a calzone loaded with toppings, a bowl of clam chowder with sourdough bread, fish and chips, and a bunch of tropical juices. Chandler doubled up the bags and loaded the hot stuff in one and the cold in the other. He threw away his empty gelato cup and they listened with a crowd to an incredible violinist in the center plaza of the market while she finished hers.
She wasn’t sure if they should be on the move, but she felt safe. Glancing up at her handsome bodyguard, she knew it was him that made her feel safe and like none of the ugliness of Mimi and Frederick could touch her.
Chandler pulled out his phone and read a text, then said, “Papa found a place.” He directed her out the closest exit. They walked to the west and then north through the busy historic city, skirting the famous Boston Common.
Greeting the doorman of the hotel as if he were an old friend, Chandler escorted her into the XV Beacon. She felt instantly underdressed and like she really needed a shower as they entered the luxury hotel. The lobby was dark with wood paneling and white and red accents.
Chandler walked her to the front desk with all the confidence of a regular visiting dignitary. Despite the fact he was holding sacks of food and accompanying a disheveled woman in a baseball cap, too-large sweatshirt, knit skirt, and heels.
The classy front desk lady with a nametag of Madeline stood to greet them. Her gaze flicked over Kylee’s attire, but she smiled warmly. “Hello and welcome to the XV Beacon. How can I help you?”
“Thank you, Madeline,” Chandler said. “It’s wonderful to meet you. I have a reservation under ‘Superhero Status.’” He shook his head and laughed good-naturedly. “I’m assuming that was my brother’s doing.”
Her smile became even wider. “Your brother is quite charming.”
“So I’ve been told. The guy thinks he’s Thor.”
They both laughed. That was funny, as Chandler’s brother really was Thor or Thornton.
The woman clicked some buttons on her computer, scanned in key cards, slipped them into a paper holder, wrote on it, and handed everything over to Kylee since Chandler’s hands were full.
“Thank you,” Kylee said.
“My pleasure.” She pointed to the room number she’d printed on the paper holder, 228. “Second floor. You can use the elevator or the stairs. We have a delicious steakhouse next to the lobby if you’re hungry.” Her gaze flicked to the food bags in Chandler’s hands.
“We’ll have to try that out tomorrow,” Chandler said. “Do they offer breakfast?”
“Yes, and if you prefer, the room service menu is on the desk in the room.”