Chapter 22
Even Kayla, as dense as she could be sometimes, picked up on the deeper meaning behind Luke’s words. “What are you trying to say, Mr. Kingston?” “You think it’s just a coincidence we ran into each other here today?”
“What else would it be? I came here for a-”
She paused, glancing around the cafe again. Then, she looked at her watch. The time for the blind date had already passed, and the cafe still only had the same handful of people.
She looked back at Luke. And this time, she finally understood the way he was looking at her.
“You’re my blind date?” she asked.
“That’s right,” Luke said without hesitation.
Kayla couldn’t help but laugh, half in disbelief. She closed her iPad and leaned back in her chair, her posture guarded now. But as her mind raced back over the events of the past few weeks, the pieces started to fall into place.
“So, you already knew I’d be the one showing up today?”
“Yeah.”
“And you reaching out to me to design your place–was that part of the plan too?”
Luke responded with a hum.
With everything she now knew–his timing, his subtle actions, the way he always left her decisions up to her–it was all pointing to one answer. “You’ve had a crush on me.”
She didn’t pose it as a question. Her tone was calm and certain.
Luke took a strategic sip of his lemonade. After a short pause, he met her eyes again.
“Yes. I’ve had a thing for you. For a long time.”
Kayla had to admit she was kind of impressed. They were just laying it all out there with no games or sugar–coating.
Still, she’d barely climbed out of the emotional wreckage of her last relationship. Her heart was still bruised. Starting something new? That was the last thing on her mind.
“Mr. Kingston, I appreciate it! I really do. You went out of your way to hire me, spent good money, and I’m flattered. But I just got divorced. I’m not ready to get involved again, not even casually.”
She figured she’d been as clear and polite as she could be. Luke didn’t strike her as the clingy or pushy type.
As for the Evening Breeze project, she’d still finish it. They had a contract, after all.
“If you have anything related to work, just swing by my studio. I should go now.”
She moved to stand, but Luke gently stopped her by resting a hand on her arm.
“I’m not done.”
Kayla let out a small sigh. “Alright, go ahead.”
“Kayla, I get it. I know I showed up out of nowhere and kind of barged into your life. I know you’re not about to fall for someone just like that. I’m not expecting that. I just want to get in line early. Be the guy holding ticket number one–so that when you’re ready to try again, I’ll be your first call.”
He pulled his hand back, but his gaze stayed steady and sincere.
“My parents live here in the city. I’m an only child. They’re happily married and super easy to get along with. I’m healthy. I don’t smoke or drink. I’ve never been in a relationship, No complicated past, no childhood sweetheart lurking in the background. I’m a good guy. You could give me a shot.”
His honesty was almost disarming. Kayla was touched–she’d be lying if she said otherwise. But feelings weren’t enough. Her heart had already gone
cold.
“I’m sorry, Luke. I just can’t.”
She was never one to lead someone on. She didn’t want to waste his time.
Luke had probably anticipated her answer. His expression didn’t even fall apart. It just softened into something calm and knowing.
“There’s no need for you to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “Come on, let me drive you back to the studio. We can talk about bedroom colors on the way.”
Kayla didn’t object. She followed him out of the cafe.
On the
On the ride back, her thoughts kept circling around one question. She knew it would gnaw at her forever if she didn’t ask.
“Luke.”
“Yeah?”
Chapter 22
“Have we met before? Like, a long time ago?”
