Forever After All - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,31
perks of them sitting at a high-top table.
Her brown eyes peer up at me and are filled with relief. “Always,” she replies.
“Hey, you with this guy?” the drunk ass asks McKenna.
“Yes. We told you we were taken,” she tells him.
“Whatever.” He looks over at his friend. “Let’s go.” They walk away from the table without a fight.
“Thanks,” McKenna says.
Unable to stop my mouth, I lean in close, placing my lips next to her ear. “It gave me an excuse to hold you.” Her quick intake of breath tells me that’s not what she was expecting me to say. Good. I like the idea of surprising her.
“Our heroes,” Laramie gushes dramatically. “You ready to go, Mac?”
“Yes. This was so much fun. I miss hanging out with you like this,” McKenna replies.
“It’s almost over, and then you’ll be working one job and living a normal life again. No more studying.”
“Can’t come fast enough.”
“You going to Colby’s?” I ask my sister.
“Yeah, after I drop Mac off.”
“I can take her.” I turn to McKenna. “I can take you.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.” Hell yes. Any chance to have her all to myself, I’m going to take it like the selfish bastard I am when it comes to her.
“What are you doing this weekend? We need to get together and do some planning.” My sister’s eyes are bright with excitement.
“I’m all yours,” McKenna tells her. “As long as I get a few hours of studying in. I take the test next Wednesday.”
“I’ll call you.” My sister hops off her chair and comes around to hug McKenna and Colby. I then give my sister a hug and shake Colby’s hand. “You make sure she gets home.” Laramie points at me, then laces her arm through Colby’s and leaves.
“Hey, you all heading out?” Corbin asks, appearing at our table.
“Yeah. I’m going to drop McKenna off. Colby and Lara just left.”
“I’m heading out too. I have to be up at the supply house early in the morning. See you all later.” Corbin waves.
“Ready?” I ask McKenna.
“Yes.”
She stands from her chair, and with my hand on the small of her back, I lead her out to my truck. The ride to her place is short and quiet. Not uncomfortably so. For me, I’m just relishing having her in my truck next to me.
“I really missed it here,” she says, resting her head on my shoulder.
“Yeah. You’ve been gone a long time.”
“Five long years,” she sighs.
“You’re home now, Kenna.”
“Sometimes, I feel as though life is passing me by. Laramie and Colby are getting married, and I’m still single and just getting ready to start my career.”
“It’s your dream, right? I know I’ve asked you that, but are you sure this is what you want?”
“More than anything. It’s just hard to watch everyone growing and building their lives and feel like I’m just standing still.”
Pulling into the driveway of her grandparents’ house, I put the truck in Park, letting the engine run. I turn in my seat to face her. “What do you want, Kenna?”
She turns to face me. “I want to be a lawyer. I want to take over the practice that Gramps built. I want to live in this town, raise my kids here.” She hesitates before saying, “Sorry. I’m rambling.”
I take her hand in mine. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You have the job and your home. The kids, well, we’ll have to work on that one.” My tone is teasing, but the image of her carrying my baby has my cock pressing against the zipper of my jeans.
“I know. I just hate that I’m missing so much. I feel so disconnected. Laramie and I always said our kids would grow up together.”
“Is there something my sister and Colby are keeping from me?”
“No.” She laughs. “I’m just thinking about how life doesn’t always turn out the way we think it will.”
“You’re right. But sometimes it’s better. There have been a lot of changes, but do you know what won’t?” I wait for her to shake her head. “You, and how you fit into our lives. No matter how much time passes, you’re still our Kenna.” My lips tilt in a smile.
“You’re a good man, Rip Callahan.”
“Come on. Keep them coming.” I motion for her to keep the compliments heading my way, making her laugh.
“Thank you. Sometimes I get in my own head.”
“We still on for tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
Leaning in close, I press my lips to hers in a soft caress. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Thanks for the ride,” she says breathlessly,