“You work and bake. That’s all.”
“There’s nothing wrong with doing nothing else but work and bake,” she said.
“You’ve got me now, and I’ll make your life much better.”
She laughed. “You’re conceited.”
“I’m telling the truth. I know what I’m doing.”
Lana shook her head. “Get me to this exhibition. I think looking at art will be easier to deal with than listening to you.”
After a few minutes passed, Kent started talking about his family.
“I’ve got two brothers and two sisters. All four of them are settled down with families.”
“You’re the only one single?”
“Yes, see why I need you tomorrow? My parents are going to be talking non-stop about settling down.”
“I’m a perfect distraction.”
“Exactly,” he said.
“Where do you come in? Are you the oldest or youngest?” she asked, intrigued.
“Seth’s the oldest. Then I was born, followed by Eric. Dawn and Sophie come next in the line. My parents were childhood sweethearts. They fell in love during high-school, and my mom was pregnant with Seth at seventeen.”
“Wow, you’re a big family.”
“Seth’s two years older than I am.”
“Your parents sound amazing,” she said, wishing she had some great family story to tell him. She didn’t even know who her father was. Her mother slept around to earn extra money to drink her way to the bottom. There were times she’d seen some of the guys from school leaving her mother’s bedroom. That was the most embarrassing of all. They bullied Lana during school, and yet they were sleeping with her mother when they got the chance.
“They really are. However, being forty-five without children is horrid for them. They want me to have the same as what they had. It drives me crazy.”
“They want what’s best for you.”
He nodded.
Kent fell silent. She didn’t push him even though she was desperate to know what he was thinking.
“During high-school and college I was in love with my best friend, Tonya. She was amazing. I loved her, and we were a couple. I talked with her about everything. There were no secrets between us.”
He pulled up outside the art exhibition.
“She’s married to Seth.”
Lana gasped. “Is that one of the reasons you’ve never settled down?”
“My family thinks so, and so does Seth. I thought it was a reason, but I don’t think it is. I haven’t found the right woman to spend the rest of my life with. Tonya can’t change who she fell in love with. I wasn’t the guy for her.”
He turned the engine off. There were no tears in his eyes, but there was a frown on his face.
****
Why did he share that with her? Kent didn’t like people knowing he was vulnerable. Tonya had broken his heart, and he’d seen the guilt in her eyes during the numerous visits he’d made to his family home.
“I’m so sorry,” Lana said.
“Don’t worry about it. It was a long time ago. We’re here.” He took the keys out of the ignition then made his way around to her side of the car. Lana was already out, waiting for him.
“Thank you for telling me.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. Her soft br**sts pressed to the front of his shirt. Tugging her in tight, he ran his arms over her back. It wasn’t enough, not nearly enough for what he wanted to do with her.
He held her, relishing the closeness.
She smiled up at him. Her face was flushed. “Are you taking me inside?”
“Yeah.” He took her hand and led her inside.
“I’m so happy to be with you,” she said.
“I’m happy to be with you, too.” Kent had to admit he enjoyed their time together even without the sex.
Together they walked into the small art exhibit. He spotted several of his friends including John.
“There are a lot of people here.” She moved closer to his side. Placing an arm at her waist Kent escorted her through to the bar.
“Do you want anything to drink?” he asked.
“No, tea or water will be fine,” she said. His friends hadn’t spotted him yet. He didn’t want them to see her. Once they saw her, they’d try to stick their noses into his business. He liked to keep his personal business private. Also, he liked keeping Lana to himself.
The barman served them both some iced water.
“I need to go to the ladies’ room.” Lana handed him her drink. He showed her to the bathroom before making his way over to his friends.
John stood with his wife, Samantha. Blake and Arnold were alone.
“I didn’t see you come inside,” John said.
He shook his friends’ hands then gave Samantha a kiss on the cheek. “I’m here with someone,” Kent said.
“I hope it’s not that awful Cherrie. Have you seen her exposé in the papers?” Blake asked.
“I’ve seen it, and it made me feel sick to read. There is only so much of my friend’s sex life I need to hear,” John said.
“It’s nice to know you’re not all show and tell kind of guys,” Samantha said.
“No, I’m here with someone else. She’s a friend.” Kent chanced a look behind him. Lana hadn’t come out of the bathroom.
“You’ve got a female friend, or is that code for f**k buddy?” Arnold asked.
“She’s my cleaner. We’re friends. That’s all.”
His friends paused, and their smiles fell. “Seriously?” John asked.
“She’s different. I don’t want you guys to ruin this for me. Lana doesn’t want anything from me but friendship. She’s amazing, and I love being with her. There’s nothing else going on, so don’t try to make something out of it that’s not there,” he said. Looking behind him Kent spotted Lana coming out of the bathroom.
“I’ve got to go.”
He moved to her side. Her glass of water was still in his hands.
“Where’s yours?” she asked, pointing at her water.
“I drank it.”
Lana looked behind him. “Those men are glaring at you,” she said.
He looked to where his friends were glaring at him. “They’re my friends.”
She raised her brow.
“It’s rude not introducing you, I know.”
“Then why aren’t you?” Her smile was still wide even as she looked at him.