bigger smile. “You told me last night.”
Before she had a chance to even consider what to say next, he walked into the living room, took her in his arms, and kissed her deeply.
Diane nearly melted. “Wow,” she whispered against his lips.
“I know.” His warm breath raked across her face. “You hungry?”
“For food, or for you?”
“Ooh.” He rubbed his palm up and down her back. “Well, I meant pancakes and eggs, but if there’s something else you want…”
“Yes to something else, but I’m also really hungry.”
“Then perfect.”
With a gigantic smile on, she settled on a stool at the kitchen’s island while Kai unpacked breakfast.
“Thanks for picking this up,” she said.
And thanks for not kicking me out.
Lucky her, it looked like last night had meant more to him than a fun fling.
“It’s my pleasure.” He passed her a paper cup of coffee. “Cream? Sugar?”
“Their coffee is actually the best black.”
“I’m excited to try it, then.”
He turned his back to her to get glasses of water, and she used the opportunity to steal some more looks around the place. The kitchen led to yet another living room, where she now remembered sitting and having wine.
How much did a place like this cost? She was no real estate expert, but it had to be in the millions.
Diane popped one of the to-go boxes. “You got chocolate chip pancakes!”
“You said they were your favorite.”
“You really do have a good memory,” she said around a smile.
Kai took the stool across from her, and they settled into eating for a while. A mere few sips of coffee did wonders to wake Diane up.
“Hey,” she said, “I don’t think I ever asked you what exactly you do at Weiss.”
“Ah.” He ducked his head and looked at his breakfast.
Had she said something wrong? What was the matter with that question?
“I, um.” He cleared his throat. “I’m actually the founder.”
“You’re the founder,” she repeated, wondering if she’d heard wrong.
“And CEO.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.
“Really? Oh. Wow.”
“I didn’t tell you last night because…” His shoulders rose, followed by a long breath.
“It’s okay.” Reaching across the counter, she set her hand on his. “Let me guess. You wanted to know if I’d say yes to going out with you, not knowing who you were?”
He smiled tightly. “Yes.”
“Well, I don’t care what job you have. That doesn’t define us.” She squeezed his hand.
His eyelashes fluttered. “It’s nice to hear you think that way.”
She could only imagine how many women he’d run into who thought otherwise. New York was full of many different kinds of people, and it certainly didn’t lack its share of those who were material.
Had Kai been born into wealth? She would need to do some internet stalking later.
No. On second thought, forget that. Anything she wanted to know about him she would find out from him directly. The right way.
“So you founded Weiss,” she said slowly. “Mind if I ask when?”
“Not long out of college at Stanford.”
“Stanford? Impressive.”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “My parents were really proud. Neither one of them finished college.”
“Wow!”
So he really was self-made. In a day and age where people often wore the label while being anything but, that truly was impressive.
“You weren’t kidding about the pancakes,” he said around another bite of them.
“I know, right? I don’t know what makes theirs so special. Here.” She reached over and wiped a fleck of chocolate from the corner of his mouth. Like every time they touched, the world came to a standstill.
Until a buzzing filled the air and Diane remembered her life. Reaching into where her bag sat on the floor, she drew out her phone and found a text from her father.
“I need to run to the office. Can you come over for a few hours? ASAP.”
Tightness coiled in her belly.
“Of course,” she texted back. “Be there soon.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, putting the phone away. “I need to go.”
“Everything okay?” he asked, real concern etched across his face.
“Yes, I need to…help my dad with something. Grocery shopping.” She found it hard to meet his eyes.
“That’s nice of you. I met your dad briefly, you know. When he came into the office and we talked about his redoing the place. He seems like a nice guy.”
“He’s the best.” She stood from the stool. “I really wish I didn’t have to go.”
“Me, too.” Leaving his stool, he came around the island and took both her hands in his. “What are you doing Monday night?”
“Monday?” She twisted her lips, thinking. “I’m working on your mural during the