“Be serious, babydoll. Say whatever it is that’s on your mind.”
I sighed when I realised he wasn’t going to drop the subject.
“I’m tryin’ to figure out how to tell you; either way you won’t be happy with what I have to say.”
Kane sat upright. “You’re okay? The baby?”
“Yes.” I blinked. “Nothin’ is wrong with anyone, we’re all good.”
Kane relaxed. “What’s the problem then?”
I groaned. “Promise you won’t be mad.”
“How can I promise when I don’t know what you’re going to–”
“Just promise.”
Kane grunted in annoyance. “Fine. I promise. Now, tell me.”
I looked away from him, closed my eyes and in one big breath I said, “I’m movin’ out of me apartment, and findin’ somewhere bigger. Somewhere close by.”
I pushed aside the urge to cover my face when I was met with silence. I sighed and opened my eyes. I looked at Kane and found him staring at me.
“I thought we were getting along so well.”
“We are,” I assured him with a bobbing nod. “That’s exactly why I shouldn’t move in here. I don’t want to jinx the friendship we’re buildin’. Things are so good between us right now… I don’t want to ruin that.”
Kane looked away from me and nodded his head in understanding. “Okay, Aideen.”
Crap.
“Please don’t be mad at me, I really want you on board with this. I need your help.”
That regained his attention. “My help with what?”
“Findin’ an apartment, of course. I want your input since your child will be livin’ there.”
Please feel involved.
Kane raised an eyebrow. “You want my input on an apartment?”
I nodded my head. “Of course.”
Kane was silent as he studied my face. “Okay, fine. I’ll help you search for an apartment, but on one condition.”
I didn’t like the sound of that.
“What’s the condition?”
“If we both don’t agree on an apartment that is suitable for you and the baby, then you move in here.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re tryin’ to trick me.”
“I am not.”
“You are too!”
Kane raised his hands in the air. “I’m offended you’d even suggest I would trick you. Moving apartments is a huge deal. I wouldn’t play around.”
I growled, “You can’t bullshit a bullshitter, Kane. I know you like the back of me hand; you’ll just say no to every apartment we view so that I’ll have to move in here.”
“That’s completely false,” Kane chirped. “I don’t have any ill will towards you. You’re my friend so I will help you just like you want me to.”
I was so onto him.
He looked as innocent as a child with their hand in a cookie jar, and even though he did sound like he was on point with not trying to trick me, his little speech didn’t fool me. Something was cooking in his twisted mind, something evil. I knew him well enough to know he wasn’t giving in to my decision without a fight.
I held out my pinky finger, and the action caused Kane to beam at me.
“You swear you won’t say no to an apartment just to see me move in here?”
“A pinky promise, are you kidding?”
“No.”
“Damn, I could eat you up, babydoll. You’re too cute.”
I growled, “Swear.”
Kane smirked as he latched his pinky finger around mine. “I swear.”
I held his gaze. “You pinky swore, and you can’t go back on a pinky promise... it’s the law.”
Kane winked at me. “I wouldn’t dream of it, babydoll.”
I gnawed on the inside of my cheek so that I wouldn’t curse at him.
“So,” Kane smiled, “when are we going apartment hunting? I’ll arrange everything, just give me a day.”
He suddenly seemed delighted with the idea of apartment hunting which only fuelled my suspicions that he was up to no good. He really wasn’t doing himself any favours.
“Monday. Me class is out on a school trip all week and because it’s to do with hikin’, I don’t have to attend. We can go check out places then. Is that okay?”
Kane thought for a moment then he said, “Yeah, I can do Monday.”
I snorted, “You said that like you would be switchin’ somethin’ else out so you could come with me.”