“Maybe she needs to borrow money,” I suggested.
“From me? The Bank of Ky is an unstable institution, Charizard. I’d be the last guy my friends and family would turn to when they’re short on cash,” he snorted as his cell buzzed in his hand. “Oh, cool. Change of venue.”
“No BJ for you?” I teased.
“Nope. She wants to meet at The Brewery. Make your next right. It should be one block up the street.”
“Hmm. Is your dad going to be there too?”
“I doubt it. He hates me. And don’t look so scandalized. The feeling is mutual,” he said, tapping the passenger-side window. “Drop me off at the corner, so you don’t have to look for a parking space.”
I started to obey, but I changed my mind when I saw the valet kiosk.
“I’m going in,” I announced.
“Why? Are you gonna spy on me?”
“No, I’m going to sit at the bar, order something fabulous, and try to logically sort through the mess I made. Like an adult. If I drop you off, I’ll be left to my own devices and in my current state, let’s just say I don’t want drunk me to trend on Twitter. I’ll wake up regretting a lot more than a bad dinner meeting.”
“True. Don’t do anything drastic,” he advised before opening the car door.
I slipped my valet ticket into the front pocket of my fitted khakis and flashed a quick smile at Ky when he met me on the sidewalk in front of the bar.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pretend I don’t know you. I’ll be too busy guzzling martinis to be a proper voyeur. And then I’ll go home and—”
“Do not drink and drive.” Ky pointed his finger at my chest sternly.
I bristled. “I’m not a fucking moron, moron. I’ll leave my car overnight and get a ride if I—”
“No, wait for me. I had half a glass of wine at dinner and…this won’t take long.” His voice trailed off as he peered through the arched window. “Okay?”
“Maybe.”
“What does that mean?” he asked, giving me a sharp look.
“If our timing matches, great. If not, I’ll see you Monday.”
I veered right toward the impressive wall of alcohol with glass shelves and hooked my thumb toward the bar, but he grasped my elbow before I got anywhere.
“Come with me, Char. I’ll buy you a drink.”
I furrowed my brow. “Why?”
“So I can keep my eye on you. I’ll drive you home afterward. This will go faster if you’re with me. I think she saw us walk in together. It’ll be awkward to leave you at the bar now. So just…stay with me.”
I held his gaze for a moment, then nodded before standing on my toes to glance over his shoulder. “Which one is she?”
“The brunette at the high table in the corner.”
“She’s pretty. Is there anything I should know about her?” I asked, shamelessly staring at the older woman dressed in a stylish black pantsuit with a Burberry scarf tied around her neck. Her severe bob haircut and bright red lipstick gave her a sophisticated look that went well with the expensive handbag perched on the empty barstool beside her. Based on a purely superficial observation, she didn’t seem like someone Ky would be comfortable around. He oozed a laid-back California beach vibe while Mona…did not.
“Uh…well, she’s in her mid-sixties. She’s been married to my dad for ten years, and I think she has grown kids from her first marriage. I haven’t seen her in a long time, but if she wants to talk to me, it’s probably to pass along a message from my old man.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he found out I quit the skate circuit tour to join a band and wants to let me know he thinks I’m a fucking idiot.” Ky let out a strained sigh as he rubbed his nose absently.
“I take it you don’t get along.”
“He thinks I’m a lost cause and a loser. And Mona…I don’t know about her. She’s either a saint or a nut job for putting up with him. I promise this won’t take long.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks. I’d say I owe you one, but I’m still waiting on that apology for the penis Post-its you put on my car the other day. Don’t think I forgot about that.”
Laughter bubbled inside me and came out in a very undignified snort-chuckle combo. “You’re just jealous you didn’t think of it first.”
“True. Come on.” He brushed his fingers against mine and cocked his head thoughtfully, but he didn’t move.
“We should—”
Ky bent slightly and pressed his lips to mine. It was a quick, “blink and you miss it” kind of kiss, but it packed a punch. I stared at him like a lovesick puppy for a moment. He grinned at me, then flung his arm over my shoulders and guided me toward Mona.
“Hi, Mona.”
“Kyle.” The older woman sat up taller as we approached. Her expression was neutral. Not unkind but not overly welcoming either. “You look well.”