Chapter 26

 

Camden stared at Kenzie’s contact information on his phone. Two months. That’s how long it had been since he’d last seen her. Since she’d disappeared into the night. He’d called her off and on, but she never answered. Why was he still holding on to the hope that maybe one of these times she would pick up?

He tossed his phone on his desk, not having the courage to call again. She’d probably changed her number. Why couldn’t he take a hint? She didn’t want to see him, didn’t want to talk to him, and definitely didn’t want a relationship with him.

He felt like growling in frustration. He needed to work off some of his pent-up energy. He stabbed a button on his desk phone and used the intercom. “I’m going to visit the Chandler construction site.”

“I’ll hold your calls, Mr. James.”

He stood and crossed the room, slipping on his suit jacket. He couldn’t go all dressed up. He’d have to stop by his apartment and change. Twenty minutes later, he was leaving his apartment in his jeans, feeling better already.

His truck roared to life and he pulled out of his parking stall. He was ready to go get dirty. When he showed up on the site, Dave, the manager, approached him. He had a steadily receding hairline. Soon he’d have to give up and shave it bald. “You didn’t tell me you’d be here today,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Anything wrong?”

“Nope. Just wanted to come lend a hand. Put me to work.”

Dave smiled and motioned toward the site. “I know how you like to get your hands dirty. We’re pouring cement today. You’re welcome to go join the men.”

Camden patted his shoulder. “Thanks.”

He made his way over to the workers. The rest of the afternoon was spent hauling heavy bags of cement, tying rebar, and smoothing out the wet concrete. His muscles burned after they were done.

He went home, covered in dirt and cement. As he entered his bedroom, ready to get into the shower, his cell phone chimed. He looked at the text and froze. Kenzie’s name was on the screen.

Can we talk?

Three words, but he couldn’t process them.

After two months of not answering his calls, she was texting him. She hadn’t changed her number. There it was, the same one he’d been calling. He’d left countless messages, hoping she’d call back. Nothing. For two months.

And now she wanted to talk. His first instinct was to ignore her text. He was angry at her for ignoring his calls. Angry that she’d left him. And suddenly, he felt used. She’d left once before and only came back when she’d needed him again.

What was it this time? His stomach clenched as he texted her back.

What do you need?

Her answer came back immediately.

To talk to you.

To apologize.

He didn’t answer her, and his phone chimed again.

To let you know how stupid I am.

And to tell you I made a mistake.

He didn’t know what to say to her. She was frustrating. But he missed her laugh. He missed the way she put her whole heart into things. The way she jumped feet-first into whatever she did. He missed her impulsiveness. Her heart.

I’m sorry. Please answer me.

His fingers trembled as he texted her back.

We can talk. Where are you?

Was he really going to let her back into his life? He wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Her answer came fast.

In your parking garage.

What? He stared at her answer for a full five seconds before responding.

Get in my elevator. I’ll bring you up.

He walked into the living room and watched the view screen. When Kenzie appeared in the elevator, he pushed the button to bring her up.

A minute later the doors opened and Kenzie was standing there. His heart leapt into his throat. He stepped back and motioned for her to enter. He had no idea what he was going to say to her. He loved her, but he couldn’t stand to be rejected a third time. He couldn’t take it.

Kenzie walked in wearing an oversized t-shirt and leggings. She clutched her tie-dye bag in her hands. He pointed to the couch. “Have a seat.”

“No. I don’t want to put you out. I’ll say what I have to say, and then I’ll leave.”

He was afraid of that, but he felt the sting anyway. She wanted to get something off her chest, and then she would once again leave him.

He waited for her to continue, but she just stood there, fidgeting with her bag strap. He ran a hand through his hair. “If you don’t start talking, I’m going to go into the kitchen and pour myself a drink.”

“Sorry. I guess I had all this stuff planned out in my head, but now that I’m here, it won’t come out.”

Thor entered the room and strutted over to Kenzie. He proceeded to rub against her legs and purr. Kenzie crouched down and scratched his head.

“Go ahead and speak your mind.” He didn’t know what she was going to say, and mentally steeled himself for whatever it was.

She stood back up and cringed. “I don’t know how to start.”

“Start at the beginning.”

“Okay. I love you.”

Camden blinked at her. “What?”

“Sorry, that was the end. The beginning part didn’t make sense . . . because you were there and you weren’t the male escort that I thought you were, but it turned out you were the knight in shining armor that I had wanted, even when I didn’t know I wanted one. And—”

“Kenzie,” he interrupted. Had he heard her right? She said she loved him?

Kenzie shuffled her feet. “I messed everything up. I know I did. And I’m sorry. I should never have left you.”

Camden stared at her, confused. “What do you want from me?”

She bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t know. Nothing, I guess.”

“Why are you here?”

“Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Her gaze lifted, and he looked into her large green eyes. “I can’t stop thinking about you, either,” he admitted.

“Really?”

He exhaled in frustration. “Yeah. I can’t get you out of my head. Every time I see Thor, I see you. You’re everywhere. And one minute I’m so mad at you I could scream, but the next I miss you so much I can’t stand it. You made me fall in love with you, and then you left.”

She blinked, and the tears spilled over on her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

Before he could respond, Kenzie threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. Stunned, he didn’t react at first, but when her soft lips moved against his, he pulled her to him and kissed her back. His heart melted. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed the feel of her in his arms.

She pulled back. “I fell in love with you in one weekend. How stupid is that?”

All his anger and frustration dissolved, and all he wanted to do was kiss her. “Not stupid at all. I did the same thing.”

She kissed him again, her fingers threading through his hair. He grew bolder and kissed her like he’d always wanted to kiss her. Passionate. With everything he had.

When the kiss ended, he pulled back and gave her a lopsided smile. “I’m so confused about rule number two.”

Kenzie laughed. “Let’s toss out all the rules.”

“Fine by me.” He picked her up and twirled her.

She laughed and pulled him to her lips again. It was a light kiss, but it ignited a fire in him. When the kiss ended, she smiled. “I love you, Camden James.”

He stared into her eyes and sobered. “Never leave me again, Kenzie Bennett.”

“I promise,” she whispered.