50
NORA
I was stretchedout on a lounge chair by Ky’s pool on Monday evening, sunglasses on, as I watched Theo and a few of the other guys work the grill.
Theo had his white button-up shirt half undone, tongs in hand, looking annoyingly good.
But, of course, he did. The man could wear a garbage bag, and I’d probably still think he was insanely attractive.
I was still riding a warm, floaty feeling from the past few days when I noticed Ky break away from the group.
He crossed the pool deck with that easy confidence he always carried.
“Mind if I sit?” he asked when he stepped up beside me.
“Sure,” I said, lifting the sunglasses from my eyes to look up at him better.
“Good.” He dropped onto the lounge chair beside mine and leaned back with a long exhale. “Because I’ve been wondering when I’d finally get a chance to talk to you alone.”
“Really?” My brows pulled together as alarm bells chimedin the back of my head. Because that tone… it wasn’t his usual teasing one. “Why’s that?”
Ky turned his face toward me, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses. “I guess I’ve just wanted to talk to you about the big elephant in the room. As in, you and Theo seem to have hit it off.”
“We’re just having fun,” I said, hoping it sounded casual and not like my heart was doing a weird little flip. “Getting to know each other better.”
“That’s all?” Ky let out a quiet sound. “Because it seems to me like you’ve gotten to know each other pretty dang well, considering the amount of PDA I’ve been forced to witness the past three days.” He paused. “And I’m pretty sure Diego mentioned that Theo introduced himself as your boyfriend.”
“Okay, yeah,” I admitted, heat rushing straight to my face as I suddenly became obsessed with the condensation on my water bottle. “I guess that’s true.”
Ky stayed quiet for a beat, like he was turning something over in his head.
My stomach tightened. This was probably the part where my protective big brother decided he didn’t like it.
The part where he reminded me that Theo was my boss. That there was an age gap. That I lived in his house. That his adorable daughter being involved could make it even more complicated.
I braced myself for the moment when Ky told me I was being completely reckless.
But instead of saying any of that, he said, “I guess I’m curious where you see this going.” He shrugged. “Like, is this just a summer fling that goes with a summer job? Or are you wanting something more serious?”
I glanced around automatically, making sure no one was close enough to overhear. Then I looked back at Ky.
“I don’t really know where we stand yet,” I said, choosing the truth that felt safest. “But… I hope it’s something that lasts.”
For a really long time.
Possibly forever.
Ky’s head tilted like he hadn’t expected that answer. Then he said, “Okay, but…” He hesitated, and my stomach sank. “What about your career?”
My pulse stuttered.
“Are you still planning to use your degree?” Ky continued. “Or now that you’re dating him and hoping things work out long-term, are you just planning to stay home with his daughter and do the stay-at-home-mom thing?” His voice softened just a little. “Because I know how hard you worked to get that degree. And how much it meant to be the first person in our family to go to college.”
I swallowed, my throat suddenly tight, not liking how fast my own thoughts started spinning.
He sighed. “I’d just hate to see you give up on your dreams because of a guy.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut.