against him. Conflicted.
He released the embrace, but instead of letting her go completely he took her hands in his.
“Diane,” he said quietly.
Her eyes held layers of emotions, thoughts, and secrets. “Hi,” she whispered.
“What’s going on?”
She cleared her throat and looked down. “Let’s take a seat.”
They did so, with her choosing the armchair across from his. Her hands were no longer in his, and he was painfully aware of the empty space left in their wake.
He wanted her closer, so close that she would be sitting in his lap, but she stayed in her own chair, hands clasped and eyes darting all around.
“Is it your mom?” he asked, then held his breath.
She shook her head. “No. She’s okay. Thanks for asking. It’s…” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “This time apart, this week with you gone…it’s had me thinking.”
“And?” His heartbeat sped up.
Diane cringed. “I don’t think this is a good idea, Kai. You and me.”
Talk about a punch to the gut. He opened his mouth, about to ask why not, but she barreled on.
“My dad always says it’s important to keep the line distinct between work and personal, but it’s not only that. My life is full with my parents, and—”
“I can help there.” He squeezed her knee, then realized how inappropriate touching her right then could be and drew his hand back. “I can help with your mom, and it’s no problem.”
Her lips drew tight. “That’s nice of you, but I can’t accept any more than you have given already.”
“Why not? It’s nothing for me to pay you extra for the mural or hire a full-time caregiver. I’m a billionaire, Diane, and I’m not saying that to flaunt my money. I want you to know how easy it is, and how much I want to help.”
That said, given this turn of events, he didn’t know if she still planned on finishing his mural. It could be she didn’t want to be around him at all.
“You’re nice.” She said it to her lap. “But even that means getting too involved. I have so little to give right now. I need more time to myself.”
“If that’s the issue, we can see each other less.”
She lifted her face, tears brimming in her eyes, but wouldn’t look at him. “I can’t do that. It just—it has to be a clean break.”
It felt like all the air had been expelled from his lungs. He wanted to offer other options, to work on the issues she had stated until they figured this out, but he also didn’t want to disrespect her choice and push her toward something she didn’t want.
He spread his hands, begging the world for a solution.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered hoarsely.
He fixed his gaze on hers. “If there’s anything I can do, I will do it, Diane. I mean it. Anything to make our relationship better. Anything to make your life better.”
I love you.
Those three words that should have been so sweet lay on his tongue and stung it. If he said them then, she would think he was only pulling tricks out of the bag to keep her around.
That wasn’t the case at all. He loved her. No matter what. Even if she chose to never see him again.
“I need space,” she said. “That’s what will make me better. And I intend on finishing the mural. I won’t skip out on a job once I’ve committed to it.”
She sucked in a long breath and held it, shoulders raised nearly to her ears.
“That’s entirely up to you.” He chose his words carefully. “But I would love for you to finish it.”
Her shoulders dropped. “I will.”
A long pause followed.
“I should go.” She stood. “My parents…”
He stood as well, his limbs heavy as lead. “For the record, Diane, I don’t want you to go. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
Her lips parted, something soft and hungry flashing in her eyes. For a moment, it seemed she might throw herself into his arms.
But then the moment passed, and she looked away.
“And I meant what I said,” he added. “I’m here for you.”
Her throat rolled with a swallow. “Thank you. Goodbye.”
With that, she walked out of the coffee shop, taking the best part of his life with her.
Chapter 10
Diane
Diane slipped her brand new driver’s license into her wallet with a sigh. Since she’d never found the original one, it felt good to have a replacement.
Unfortunately, the license reminded her of the day she’d found Kai’s emails. It was a memory she wished she