39
Kendra
I gaped at her.
She was stunning.
The way her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back in thick waves had me backing away. Her fair skin was covered in silver jewelry that reflected perfectly against her white plunging drape dress with a surplice front that opened at the midriff, perfectly highlighting her lean legs.
Without having seen her before, I knew who she was. But what had me most surprised was her intelligent eyes.
“Is Kelly home?” she asked.
A flash of jealous anger zipped up my spine. Taking a quick glance behind at the suitcase I was pulling, I reluctantly said, “No.”
She cast her gaze to Alex and then back to me. “And you are?”
“Kendra.” Then I debated whether or not I should also add, Kelly’s girlfriend, but decided to leave that part out because I didn’t know if I was or not.
“Ah, yes.” She smiled. “I’ve heard lots about you.”
My lips parted with disbelief.
“Can I come inside?”
Alex leaned against my shoulder and whispered in my ear, “She’s the one I saw Kelly with.”
The woman heard Alex and countered, “It’s not what you think.”
I wanted to believe her. To hear her out. But with all the ups and downs of my day, my shield was still up and my defenses were ready to strike. I openly stared at her with my muscles bunching. Finally, curiosity got the best of me and I nodded and stepped aside. “I don’t know where Kelly is but you’re free to come inside.”
She glanced at Alex, then to my suitcase.
“We were just on our way out.”
She reached out and fingered my hand. “If you have a minute, I’d like to speak with you.”
I glanced over my shoulder to Alex. Without a word, I knew exactly what Alex thought I should do. But despite her silent pleas for us to leave, I couldn’t run. Not when I could finally get some answers to my many questions—learning why Kelly had been secretly meeting with this woman when he should have been with me.
“Preferably alone.” She nodded to Alex.
I twisted around and smoothed my hand down Alex’s upper arm, nodding.
“I’ll be in the hallway if you need me.” Alex leaned in and kissed my cheek.
“I’ll be fine,” I said. But we both knew that wasn’t completely true. There was no telling what would happen.
Waving her inside, I couldn’t deny how emotionally wrecked I was tonight. And to top it off, I now had to face off with this beautiful woman whose original intention in visiting was to see Kelly. Before reaching the kitchen, I turned around and said, “What’s your name?”
Over my shoulder I saw Alex pause before stepping into the hall, wanting to learn her name as well.
“Kaycee.” She smiled.
“Can I make you some tea or something?” I asked when I found my empty mug in the sink.
She kindly declined my offer. “Look, I know how awkward this all must seem to you.”
Refusing to look at her, I kept my back turned and washed my mug. She had no idea how awkward this was. With the little bit I knew about her, I couldn’t deny the thought that both of Kelly’s lovers might now be standing in the same room. “You said you’ve heard lots about me?”
Slowly, I turned to find her resting her tailbone against the stool behind the island counter. “I have,” she said in a friendly tone. “Once I got Kelly to open up, I couldn’t get him to shut up about you.”
That didn’t seem like the Kelly I knew. Naturally, I remained skeptical. “Why would he do that?”
She brushed her hair away from her face as her lips tugged upward to reveal her pearly whites. “He likes you Kendra.”
Dropping my gaze to the floor I thought about her words, then fixed my eyes back on her. “But aren’t you two…”
She snickered, shaking her head. “Oh, no.”
My brows drew together. “Then who are you?”
Her eyes lit up. “I’m his sister-in-law.”
I wanted to laugh but I just felt like crying.
“Nora was my sister. Kelly was married to her,” she added when I showed no understanding.
“Kelly was married?” My voice was weak, cracking with insecurity.
“I know, I can’t believe it either.” She laughed. “I’m in town because, well…” she cleared her throat and looked away, “it’s the fifth anniversary of her death.”
My neck craned toward her and that same ache in the back of my throat from earlier came back. This time it was much more intense and I felt my eyes begin to swell with tears.
Silence filled the room as neither one of us knew what to say next. I couldn’t believe my ears. First, Kelly was married. Then I learned that his wife had died. “I’m sorry,” I held a hand over my mouth, “he never mentioned any of it to me.”
Her hand flew to her chest. “I thought you knew.”
Shaking my head, I fought back the tears that threatened to spill. “We haven’t been seeing each other that long.”
Kaycee pushed away from the counter and moved to the living room with crossed arms. I watched her casually browse the walls, stopping to stare at photographs of Kelly, paintings and art placed throughout the room.
“He’s happy, Kendra.” She turned her head to meet my gaze. “And I’m certain it’s because of you.”
Warmth filled my insides when hearing her words but I also wondered if it was coming a little too late. I moved to stand to the side of the island counter, balancing myself with one hand on top. “Then why hasn’t he mentioned any of this to me?”
She pivoted and squared her shoulders with mine. “Have you ever lost someone you loved?”
Dropping my gaze, I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I’d lost my entire family but not to death. I shook my head.
“God willing,” she cleared her throat to get her voice back, “I hope you never do. But if you do, then you’ll know just how hard it is.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” My words floated through the air like clouds on a calm day.
Suddenly, the front door opened and we both turned, expecting to see Alex.
Kelly stood there with disbelieving eyes. Doing a double take, I smiled and he blinked back.
Kaycee strode over to me and gave me a hug. “It was nice meeting you, Kendra.”
“You too.”
Then she turned her head and whispered in my ear, “Don’t let him go. He’s a good one. And I’m sure you are, too.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
I watched Kaycee make her way over to Kelly. She hugged him like she did me, and I heard her tell him that she just wanted to say goodbye before leaving town. Kelly thanked her for visiting, saying how great it was to see her. Then she was gone.
When the door behind her closed, Kelly turned to me with a glimmer of danger in his eye and I knew then that this was our chance to make our break it.
There was no turning back.
If he truly wanted me, it was now or never.