Katy came downstairs about thirty minutes later wearing the outfit, and I about died, she was a fucking knock-out. Her blonde hair was twisted up in some sort of fancy knot. And when she walked, the slit up her pants showed her sexy legs and sexy fuck-me heels.

On the way to Cooper’s Hawk, I hated how silent the truck was. Katy hadn’t said a thing, but I could see a myriad of emotions cross her face. I was scared that the motorcycle was still weighing heavy on her. “You’re awful quiet.” I squeezed her hand. “Have you had a great birthday so far?”

“Yeah. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” I felt a sense of dread sweep over me.

“Have you been in a serious relationship before?”

What kind of question was that? Why did she want to know this? Shit. “I’ve had a few girlfriends over the years. I guess the most serious one was my girlfriend in college.”

“Why’d you break up?”

“This is fucked up, you know that, right? Talking about other relationships with you.”

“Please.” She pulled one leg up so she could turn in her seat and watch me.

“I guess we just came to the point where we wanted different things.”

“And the others?”

“I don’t know. Jesus Christ, Katy. I guess the other one wanted to get married and I couldn’t see myself being married to her. What about you? Where’s Bee’s father?”

“We were seventeen when I told him that I was pregnant. He called me a slut. I knew Bee was his, though. I hadn’t ever had sex with anyone else, but that didn’t matter, he had his friends spread rumors that they’d slept with me. That's how my parents found out I was pregnant; some lovely person painted whore and your baby is a bastard on our driveway.”

“That’s intimidation and bullying.”

“But I was a scared kid being threatened and shortly after I was told by my parents that I was being kicked out. I wasn’t exactly in my right mind at the time.” Katy pulled down the vanity mirror in the visor and patted her eyes.

I pulled into a parking spot but didn’t get out. “What’s this all about Katy?”

“Damon, I have to tell you something.”

“Now?”

“Yeah, now.”

“Okay.” But I already had a feeling that I knew what she was going to say.

“You’ve done so much for me and Bee. And you’re right, there’s something different between us. But . . .”

“We both have pasts. I won’t judge you for yours and you don’t judge me for mine.” I lifted her chin with the crook of my finger and brought her lips to mine.

“I’m glad you said that. Because that’s sort of what I want to—”

“Katy. Stop. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s in the past. Whatever it is, does it change what we have moving forward?”

She shook her head. “Well, umm, no.”

“Does it change who you are as a person?”

She shook her head again. “No. I kind of like to think it shaped me.”

“There. Then you have your answer, whatever it is, don’t stress because I happen to think you’re just about perfect. If it helped to make you who you are, then it ended up being a good thing in my book.” I got out and walked around to her door and opened it. She’d unfastened her seatbelt and turned so I could step forward so I was standing between her legs. “Let’s go eat. You look too gorgeous not to show off.”

Once we were inside and at our table, she seemed to relax and return to the Katy that I’d fallen in love with.

“With Tristan coming home tomorrow, Bee and I won’t see you once I pick her up after the community center. We are going to go out this week and hunt for a new apartment. I want to find something a little nicer than where we’re currently staying.”

“Do you have to?”

“Yes. I’m making better money, it’s my job to provide better living conditions for my daughter.”

I held out my hand to stop her. “No, that isn’t what I meant.”

The server came by and interrupted us to take our drink and appetizer order.

“All I meant was, if you’re looking for a new place, why not stay with me? Let’s see where we go.”

“Aren’t you tired of having moody girls around?”

“No. The truth is that I don’t want you leaving.” I clasped her hands in mine. “It’s different. You asked me about past relationships, but what you and I have is different. Please, just consider staying. Don’t do anything until after Bee’s birthday. Mana has some special things planned for her birthday. Please. Promise me that.”

“That’s two weeks away.”

“Yeah, two-week trial,” I assured her.

“But I have secrets.”

“And I told you if the secrets helped shape you then I don’t need to know them, consider them structure or foundation.”

She was trying to be honest, and I hadn’t given a second thought about the fact that I’d recorded her. Shit. That wasn’t foundation, that didn’t shape me. That only made me a crazy stalker dude.

The server brought our drinks and appetizers, and I wanted to start eating, but I dropped my fork and let out a low groan.

“What’s wrong?”

“The world’s most demanding client just came in, pest, asshole, you name it. God, the man is pushy, aggressive, and rude. And honestly, I don’t like him, he rubs me the wrong way.” I looked at my plate, hoping he wouldn’t see me. “Fuck. He’s coming this way.”

We were seated in a high back booth, so at least Katy was shielded from the asshat. Katy grabbed my hand and tugged me forward. She was cute in her attempt to pull me into a private romantic conversation.

“Whisper to me.”

I gave her a weak smile, appreciating her suggestion but knowing full well that it wouldn’t work.

As he neared, his hand was already extended and a woman who’d been in his shadow moved to the side of him.

I froze when I saw her because she looked familiar in a way that made my skin prickle. I hadn’t ever met her, but I felt as if I knew her.

“Damon, nice to see you.”