Conflict of Interest - By Allyson Lindt Page 0,34

front door mingled with the chatter around him, and he looked up. His mood twisted into something he couldn’t identify when he saw Kenzie make her way to the counter. Like so many mornings, her hair was in a ponytail, and her sweatshirt was tied around her waist, showing off a white tank top that hugged her perfectly.

And she was staring intently at the menu, jaw set, face tight. No one should look that tense on a Saturday morning. Maybe if the two of them found someplace quiet she’d let him tear that hair elastic out…

He pushed the thought away. It was probably time for him to find a new one-night stand. One that actually only lasted one night.

Or an actual girlfriend, he hadn’t had one of those in a while. Then he could prove he was all mature and shit like was expected of him. That ought to make Kenzie happy. Someone to use him as a dress-up doll twenty-four seven and keep him in line when she wasn’t around. Oh, right, he always got tired of those women ages before they became long-term relationships.

She placed her order and turned, and his hand shot up in a wave before he could talk himself out of it. She hesitated, catching her bottom lip between her teeth, and then wove her way over. She took the seat across from him, sitting up so straight her back never touched the chair.

“Morning.” Her expression was flat.

“Hey.” He hated the lack of anything coming from her, but it was appropriate he supposed. “I’m sorry again about last night.”

“You and everyone but the one guy who should be.” She pursed her lips. “But thank you for stepping in. I wish it hadn’t come to that.”

A question tried to force itself past his lips, and he bit it back. He wasn’t going to ask whether or not she’d decided to stay on. There was no reason to pressure her. Or to even care. If she decided no, he could go back to doing what he wanted when and how he wanted.

“How’s the game coming along?” She nodded at his handheld.

“It’s good. Hopefully a hit, but it’s hard to tell before the sales numbers start coming in.” Disappointment wormed through him, and it took him a moment to realize it was because she hadn’t scolded him yet for the ratty camo pants, or stained white T-shirt, or for playing his game without ear buds, or anything. And she had yet to smile. “So, um, how have you been?”

Her mouth twisted in dry amusement. “It’s been twelve hours. Not a lot has changed.”

A shift in mood, a chink in her shell. He leaped at the chance to widen it. “You’re sure. You haven’t changed jobs, gotten engaged, started a family?”

Her smile threatened to become full-formed. “No. Though there was this guy…”

After less than twelve hours? Why did that send a dull thud through his chest? He kept the reaction from his face, but he couldn’t hold back the subtle dig. “Sounds enticing. I bet he was a spiffy, well-dressed gentleman.”

She gave a small laugh. “Quite. Even better, he told me, and I quote ‘I don’t normally like women who are taller than me, but the way you wear those heels is just so sexy.’”

He’d heard some bad lines in his life, but that was horrible. “He’s got a point, you do look sexy in heels. But you also do those Keds justice, so that’s kind of a toss-up. So the two of you are going to make happy, beautiful public appropriateness together?” Why was he pushing this?

Pink crept over her cheeks, and she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Large green tea, room for cream?” A voice carried over the crowd, and someone behind the counter held a cup in her direction.

She was on her feet in an instant. “I should go.”

His disappointment grew. Would this be the last time they talked? Was high-heels guy waiting for her at home?

The corner of her mouth tugged up, and then the smile vanished again so quickly he wasn’t sure he’d seen it. “And nothing happened,” she said as she turned away. “Like actual nothing, not the pretend nothing that’s really something with us. I’ll see you Monday. At least wear a clean T-shirt.”

Really something? A wave of relief washed over him, and he wasn’t sure if it was related to the fact she wasn’t quitting or that she hadn’t gone home with another man. He didn’t fight his