I want to be honest and tell him we are not together, but part of me feels like I’ll be confusing him even more. It’s something I want to spare the man from, so instead I don’t point out the details of our relationship.
“He’s the best,” I say in full honesty. “He makes me laugh, makes me happy. He even cooks for me.”
“He does?” His brows shoot up in surprise.
“Oh, yeah! He makes the best lasagna.”
“Well, the bastard never cooked for me,” he complains with a smile.
“Maybe we can make that happen?”
“Make what happen?” I turn my head when Bodi walks back into the room, followed by the doctor.
“I was telling your dad about your amazing lasagna.”
“Did you now?”
I nod with a hum, and Bodi replies with a sweet smile, then squats down in front of his father again. “Dad, I talked to the doctor. We don’t want to blur your brain anymore, but since you seem to become more confused at night, we are going to give you some calming medication before bedtime, okay?”
His dad concedes with a grunt.
“The doctor is going to give you something so you’ll be able to sleep, yeah?”
Another grunt.
“I have to go now. Kayla and I have a party. Is that okay?”
“Yeah,” he hums, a little less moody this time. “Go have fun with your girl.”
“Are you going to be alright?” Bodi asks one more time.
“I’ll be fine.” His hand lifts in the air, brushing us out of the room, but not before Bodi wraps his arms around his father in a big hug.
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too.”
When they break loose, I lock eyes with Mr. McKay, and he gives me a wink.
“I won’t forget your name anymore, Kayla,” he promises with a mischievous grin that makes me laugh.
“I’ll hold you to that, Mr. McKay.”
“Please, call me Terry.”
“Okay, Terry. Good night.”
We exchange another short wave while Bodi escorts me out of the room. He discusses some finalities with the doctors before we head down to get to the party. The car ride is silent, and for the first time, I keep my mouth shut, my gut telling me Bodi needs a moment to process his thoughts.
“I’m sorry about that,” Bodi tells me when he parks the car underneath the KPI building. His attention is directed in front of him, and his hands are still holding the steering wheel in a tight grip. There is worry and frustration on his face, and I imagine it must be hard for him to see his father like this.
“Don’t, Bodi.” I shake my head. “Your dad is great.”
He glances at me with an affectionate smile. “I’m glad you like him.”
“Ahem, didn’t you notice? He likes me too,” I say in a teasing tone to break the tension. “Maybe I’ll just run off with your dad.”
He slowly turns his neck and I stay still, my eyes nonchalantly focused on my lap. I expect him to growl. To bark. But what I don’t expect him to do is grab my neck and twist my head to face him with a possessive touch that almost has me gliding off my seat. When I peer into his eyes, they are dark and filled with that hunger I’ve become so familiar with. He licks his lips, then drags his tongue over the inside of his teeth.
“That’s not funny,” he rumbles.
“It’s a little funny,” I purr seductively.
His lips press together as he shakes his head. “You just want me to shut you up with my lips pressed against yours.”
“You got me.” I pause. “Is it working?”
He holds my gaze a little while longer before his hand falls from my neck.
“Let’s go, Kayla.” Without waiting for me, he exits the car and I stay, grinding my teeth.
“Goddammit,” I mutter.
So close. So damn close.