“Well, Asher should be home kind of early. What do you say we all meet at the Italian place on Main around six?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Alright. Well, see you then,” she says, standing up and grabbing her bag. I walk her to the door, holding it open for her.
“See you at six,” I say, closing the door behind her.
“I can’t wait to see what Cash’s baby looks like,” Jules says, walking to the front of the store. I forgot that she and Britney were still here.
“Well, if he’s a Mayson, I’m sure he will be cute,” I say, not even thinking that my words could be misinterpreted.
“I’m carrying Cash’s baby,” Jules growls, leaning forward.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” I say softly, feeling bad.
“Whatever. Let’s go, Brit,” Jules says, dropping the few items she had in her hand to the floor, before walking out the door.
“Shit.” I sigh, pick up the stuff she dropped, and walk to the front of the store. My phone beeps a few minutes later. When I look at it, it’s a text from Trevor.
Trevor: Jules called Cash bitching him out about you saying the kid wasn’t his.
Me: It wasn’t even like that.
I text back, shaking my head at the stupidity of the whole situation.
Trevor: Why would you say something like that to her?
Me: I’m not even going to justify that stupid question with a response.
I type so fast that my fingers hurt.
Tossing my phone down on the counter, I walk to the back of the store to take stock.
“Anyone here?” I hear a deep male voice call from the front of the store.
“Be out in a second,” I yell, breaking down the last box, before putting it in the pile with the rest. “Hi, can I help you?” I look up when I walk into the main part of the store; the man in front of me takes me off guard he’s so stunning. I don’t even know if a guy should be called stunning, but he is. His skin is the color of dark caramel; you can tell that his heritage is most likely Hawaiian. His long black hair is pulled back into a ponytail at the base of his neck, showing off the features of his sculptured face. His high cheekbones, square jaw, dark lashes and amber eyes would take any woman’s breath away.
“Liz Hayes?” His deep voice rumbles; he’s dressed in a dark grey suit, with a silk, wine-colored shirt that’s unbuttoned at the neck.
“Yes,” I say, swallowing hard. His energy is so scary, that I dig my fingernails into my palms to avoid running.
“I’m Kai.” He sticks out his hand. I look down at it, noticing how giant it is, and quickly put my hand out. His engulfs mine.
I clear my throat, taking my hand back. “Nice to meet you, Kai,” I say, his mouth twitches, then he schools his features.
“I’m looking for your brother. Do you know how I can get ahold of him?” I shake my head no.
“You’re either very loyal, or very stupid.” He shakes his head. “Do you understand that when the truth comes out about your brother, there will be no help for him? He’s as good as dead.”
“The police—”
“Won’t be able to do anything for him.” He interrupts sternly. He walks around the store, his hands clasped behind him; his posture is relaxed, but his energy is still beating against me, making me feel immobile. When he makes it back to me, his hand goes to the inside of his suit jacket, making me flinch. “You watch too much television, Ms. Hayes.” He laughs, making me glare. “I want you to give your brother my number. I have a proposition for him.”
I take the card from him, holding it tightly in my hand. “Okay,” I say, as he walks to the door, opening it. Before it closes behind him, he turns his eyes on mine.
“You need to have another employee with you in the store if you’re going to be in the back, Ms. Hayes,” he says, sounding just like Trevor, making me roll my eyes. When I know he’s gone, I run to the door and lock it.
I pick up my phone to call Tim, who answers on the third ring.
“Is Kara okay?”
“Kara is fine, but a guy stopped by my store wanting to get in touch with you.”
“Are you okay?” he asks, sounding nervous.
“I’m fine, Tim, I just…I think that you should call him.”
“Liz-”
He starts to say something but I cut him off I don’t know why but I think that Kai might have a way of protecting Tim. “His name was Kai and he said that when the truth comes out about what you’re doing not even the police will be able to protect you. He said he has a proposition for you.”
I hear his sharp inhale “What’s his number?” I ramble off the numbers to him listening to him scratching them down. “I’ll call him sis, just promise me that you will look out for Kara.”