She didn’t know how she felt about the evening. It had been the great networking experience that Kevin had promised, but part of her had expected more from him. Which she was aware was totally unfair to him. He’d offered her space and then gave it to her. He was being thoughtful, but she felt a little neglected.
And there went the endless loop again. She was worse than a lovesick thirteen-year-old.
As her gaze wandered across the room, Kevin turned a corner in the back, shoulder to shoulder with the mayor. They were in deep conversation, but as if he felt her staring, Kevin looked up. When their eyes met, he smiled, and whatever chemistry they shared zipped through the room.
Kevin and the mayor shook hands and parted. As Kevin made his way to her, she noticed how tired he looked. She was suddenly painfully aware of how much she wanted to get out of her heels.
“How’d it go?” she asked.
“Long. I should’ve asked Moira to be my date tonight. She’s the only person I know who can talk as much as these people.”
Ignoring the ping of irritation at him talking about dating her friend because she knew it was ridiculous, she asked, “Did you get the information you wanted at least?”
“I think. We were able to narrow the field of prospects. I’m sorry I abandoned you. Park told me to bring a date, so it would be more social. I don’t think either of us expected this.”
“It’s fine. I talked with a lot of people. It was interesting. You know, running a business tends to be kind of solitary. I do my thing to keep everything going. Sometimes I forget to step back and connect with other people who get it. Thank you for inviting me.” She picked up her purse, which was still filled with business cards, but this time with those of people she’d met. “Ready to go?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” With a hand on her lower back, he led them through the room, waving at stragglers. “I’m fucking starving. You want to get something to eat?”
While they waited for the valet to bring his car around, she shifted from foot to foot. “Food sounds fabulous, but my feet are killing me. I’m not used to standing in heels for hours.”
Kevin opened the car door for her and handed the valet a tip. When she sat, her entire body sighed, but her legs wept.
“We could pick something up and eat at your place.” He pulled into traffic. “Pizza?”
Her stomach rumbled. Pizza sounded so good. But did she want to invite Kevin into her house? She took a quick breath. She was being silly. They’d had a good night. They could share a meal. Plus, they hadn’t yet talked about the final details for the bachelor/bachelorette party for this weekend. “Sure. I’ll call and it’ll be delivered right around when we get back.”
She called and placed the order. The rest of the ride to her apartment was quiet. After an evening of nonstop talking, they both needed some peace. When the car was parked and Kathy pushed the door open, her leg muscles protested. Swinging her legs out of the car, she bent and pulled off the heels. Kevin stood on the curb and watched.
“Not very glamorous, huh?” She wiggled her toes and then pushed herself out of the car.
Kevin closed the door behind her. “Those things look like torture, but as someone who only has to enjoy the view they create, I have to say—and I think I speak for all of mankind on this—we appreciate what you do to look good for us.”
As they walked into her building, she realized the difference in their height. With her shoes on, she was nearly eye to eye with Kevin. Now her eyes were at his mouth. Thoughts of his mouth being on hers slipped into her mind. She must’ve been really tired to go there.
Inside her apartment, she tossed her shoes near the closet and pulled some cash from her purse. “Do you mind grabbing the pizza when it comes? I really want a hot shower.”
Kevin stared at her for what felt like a full minute before clearing his throat. “Sure.”
Kathy went to her bedroom and grabbed some comfy pajamas and carried them to the bathroom. Normally, she’d walk through the apartment naked or in a towel, but she wasn’t silly enough to attempt that with Kevin standing in her living room. Regardless of whether she thought she could give him another chance, she couldn’t deny the attraction they shared.
Even if her hormones wanted to act on it, she wasn’t ready to give in to that attraction until her heart and mind agreed.
She stood under the hot spray until her tense muscles relaxed again. Then she dressed and went back to the living room. Kevin had removed his jacket and loosened his tie. He’d made himself comfortable, sprawled on her couch with his feet up on the table, looking like he was at home.
Memories flooded her brain of the times they’d hung out just like this, watching a Blackhawks game and eating pizza. She’d lie on him and pretend to understand hockey simply because she’d liked the feeling of his body close to hers, his arms wrapped around her. When the game had ended, they’d spent the night together.
There were no walks of shame or sneaking out in the middle of the night like they were hooking up. They’d been in a relationship. It hadn’t been her imagination.
Kevin turned and looked over his shoulder. “Feel better?”
“Much.”
He waved at the TV. “I didn’t know if you wanted to watch something, so feel free to change it.”
Moving his feet back to the floor, he leaned forward and opened the pizza box. He’d already grabbed napkins from her kitchen and had a beer open for himself.
By the time she sat, she knew she needed