She swallowed hard. This wasn’t about the dogs, not entirely. She knew that, but in making the invitation more about their pets, he was taking the pressure off. One friend showing another friend, a new dog owner, the ropes. Yes, that was her story and she was sticking to it.
She could meet him at the dog park during a busy time, and they wouldn’t be alone. It would be low-key.
“Kendall, are you still there?” he asked.
She shook her head, forcing herself to focus on the conversation and not the thoughts circling around in her head. “Okay, if it’s good weather, I could do it on Saturday,” she heard herself saying before she’d actually decided it was safe for her to see him again. She’d also have a therapy appointment in between to shore up her defenses.
“Great! Text me the address and the time that works, and I’ll meet you there. Steve said to say thanks. He’s in the market for a girlfriend,” he said, laughing.
She couldn’t help but smile. This, too, was a new side to Julian. Easy, carefree, not intense. “Sounds good,” she murmured.
“It’s a date,” he said, and before she could correct him, he said good-bye and disconnected the call.
Chapter Four
Kendall was invited to dinner with Lexie, Kade, and his business partner, Derek West, and his wife, Cassie. Even Lucas Monroe and his wife, Maxie, were here, Lucas’s parents at home with the couple’s new baby girl, Sarah.
The fact that Lucas’s parents had accepted him and Maxie as a couple was big news, as Maxie had once been married to Lucas’s asshole brother, who’d manipulated them to keep the couple apart since they were young. Kendall took heart from their success and hoped her family would someday be as generous—if things with Julian went further.
The restaurant was an upscale French bistro with a Parisian feel, bold flowers peeking out of the corners, the atmosphere quiet and surprisingly welcoming.
She knew it had taken the pull of the billionaires to get them a table, and she looked forward to trying a new place. She looked forward to tasting the three-Michelin-star food prepared by the world-renowned chef, the highest amount of stars given. Even if she wasn’t sure what to choose and decided to copy what her sister ordered, just to be safe.
Kendall wore a burgundy fitted dress with bone pumps, while Lexie chose a navy dress, Maxie a winter-white one, and Cassie a pretty floral. The men wore suits, which was unusual for them as they did enjoy their denim, Kendall thought wryly. Like Julian, none of the guys came from super wealthy backgrounds. Everyone was self-made, and they remained true to who they were to begin with.
Derek ordered wine and even Kade gave up his usual Macallen scotch that he drank in a very… Kade-like way, to join everyone with a glass of wine. The waiter poured, and Derek tested, red, and now they had their glasses full.
Kendall could take a sip or two if she wanted, but she didn’t love wine enough to bother, and Maxie was breastfeeding, so she’d bypassed the alcohol, too.
They placed their orders, and they could finally talk to each other without being interrupted by a waiter with specials, requesting drink orders, or taking their dinner choices.
“How are things going at Storms Consolidated?” Lexie asked Cassie, who had taken over her family media business when, after a lot of complications, angst, and drama, Derek bought the company and put her in charge.
Derek laced his fingers through hers and placed their joined hands on top of the table. “She’s making major changes.”
Kendall knew that Cassie had wanted to bring the company into the modern world, something her father had failed at doing, and focus more on online subscribers and technology.
“And the article she wrote about me, much as I hated being the center of attention, really turned things around for Take a Byte,” he said of the online magazine Cassie ran. “Advertisers are impressed, and she has other subjects booked for upcoming months,” he added with obvious pride.
“You’re too sweet,” Cassie murmured, her gaze lovingly on Derek. “I’m trying hard to make it work,” she said to the rest of the table.
He kissed the back of her hand, the moment suddenly intimate. But when Kendall looked at her sister, Kade was gazing at her the same way. And Lucas and Maxie were busy both looking at her cell phone.
Kendall shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling like the odd man out in a mix of loving couples. She knew they weren’t trying to make her uncomfortable on purpose. They were all good people who had supported her when they could have turned their backs, who’d taken her in as a friend, and who she genuinely liked.
Yet as she looked around, she’d never felt more alone.
It wasn’t their fault. Each person was a part of a couple. She wasn’t. They were friends through their significant others. Kendall came to them through her sister. For a while, that had been enough, but now she needed more of her own life and plans.
Like Julian? the devil on her shoulder asked.
“So, Kendall, are you seeing anyone?” Cassie asked hopefully, breaking into her traitorous, unwanted thoughts.
The women were always suggesting different men for her to date in an attempt to be helpful. Kendall appreciated the effort but had wanted to move forward on her own time. When she knew she was over Julian completely and ready to try again.
Now he was back. And she couldn’t tell anyone at this table. Not even about something as innocent as a trip to the dog park. Because Julian had, in one way or another, stabbed all of these men in the back.
Kendall pasted a happy smile on her face. “No, nobody new,” she said.