Billionaires and Baby Rattles(69)

After a while, she listened at the storeroom door and heard nothing. She cracked it open a bit and picked up their voices, a clink of a fork touching a plate, the tinkling of a wineglass being set down. She couldn’t help but want to see. When Darby’s beautiful face came into view, Kenzie’s heart seemed to shatter. The flushed cheeks, the sparkling eyes, and the laughter said she was having a good time. She chewed like the lady she was and swallowed, then took a small sip of wine.

“This is truly delicious, Easton. I never would have thought you of all people could cook. It’s incredible.”

Kenzie inched out a bit more to try to see Easton’s face. She frowned. He appeared pleasant enough, but for some reason, she had the feeling he was angry. Why?

“I can’t take all the credit,” he assured Darby. “Kenzie taught me.”

“She truly is a wonder. I bet she and I could be great friends.”

“No!”

Kenzie gasped, and Darby’s eyes widened. Easton cleared his throat and sat up straighter.

“I mean, you don’t move in the same circles. She’s got this place, and you have your charity projects.”

Kenzie pressed her lips together and dug her nails into her palms. Darby touched the cloth napkin to the corners of her mouth. “Wow, you’ve managed to insult me and Kenzie all in one breath.”

“I apologize.” He had the grace to look ashamed. He just ought to. Kenzie tried not to acknowledge the fact that he had just pointed out she wasn’t on their level, so of course she couldn’t be a friend. Good enough to fuck, though.

“I have an idea,” Darby said. She touched his hand across the table, and Kenzie thought she saw his fingers twitch. “How about we go back to my place?”

If Kenzie thought she didn’t get sick earlier, she most certainly was now. They had been faithful to one another, which meant with him going to Darby’s, it was over. She pressed a hand to her mouth and turned to go back inside the storeroom.

“Kenzie.”

She jumped and looked around. Easton stood there. The sides of her mouth refused to turn up. “Um, did everything go okay?”

His gaze bore into hers, and she felt like he could see into her soul, or at least all the traitorous thoughts roaming around in her head. “We’re heading out.”

“Okay.” She rushed by him and began clearing the table. “I’ll clean this mess up in a jiffy. Y’all go ahead and have a good night.”

“No, we should do it,” Darby insisted. “After all, you didn’t have to let us come here tonight.”

Kenzie waved her hand. “Oh, girl, don’t even worry about it. Easton’s paying a pretty penny renting out the place for the night. I can take care of a few dishes. Besides, I taught him to clean up as he cooked, so it’s not so bad in the kitchen.”#p#分页标题#e#

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Please leave before I break!

With a few more protests, Darby at last gave in, and Easton guided her out. Kenzie didn’t miss how he ignored her and didn’t even look back as he left. The romance was at an end. She knew it was coming, but it hurt like hell. When she had locked the door behind them, she sank down on the steps and cried.

Later, when the tears slowed, she rose to go clean up the mess. Just as she had said, Easton had washed dishes and pots after he used them. All she needed to do was wash their plates and glasses and wipe down the counters and the table they used. For lack of wanting to go home to an empty house, she swept the floor and scrubbed it too. When no other task delayed her, she sighed in exhaustion and started for her coat hanging on a hook near the front door. A knock made her jump, and she froze.

“W-Who is it?” she called. The clock read after midnight. No one should be there this time of night.

“Easton.”

Nerves tightened the muscles in her stomach even more. He shouldn’t be back so soon. She pressed palms to her face. Did she look like she’d been crying? Maybe with the few lights on, he wouldn’t be able to tell. She walked down the stairs and unlocked the door. Rather than wait for him there, she returned to the counter, then passed behind it. Why couldn’t she just go home and drown herself in a bottle of wine? No, tonight vodka and orange juice would do the trick. At least it would if she weren’t pregnant.

“What are you doing back here?” she called over her shoulder. Rather than look at him, she busied her hands shifting items that were already in place. She pulled a drawer open while she waited for his explanation and then frowned. She opened another, but that wasn’t the right one.