“Really?”
“Yeah. I wanted to kiss you right then and there.”
She shoved me on the shoulder and snickered. “No, you didn’t.”
Throwing my hands up in the air, I couldn’t hold back a smile. “I’m not lying. I wanted to see if that fire extended to other things.” A flash of heat flickered in her eyes, and I found myself pulled in her direction. I brushed my knuckles over the smooth skin of her cheek. “I walked out of Busy Bean with so much regret.”
“Why?”
“Because my surly attitude wasn’t getting me anywhere. Believe it or not, I was tired of being the bad boy.”
Kayla smiled and placed a hand on my arm. “You aren’t a bad boy. Not at all. You’re the kindest, sweetest man, and I love you.”
And then I did what I’d wanted to do the first day I met her. I kissed her like it was the last time I’d ever get the chance. She blushed and met my gaze, and I got to experience that fire in her eyes once again.
She may have been the girl-next-door type, but she was one hot tamale.
Epilogue
Kayla
One year later…
So much had happened in the past year, I didn’t know where to start. For one, my reality TV show, Country Star, was a hit. Working with Tyler Grant had been awesome, and in between interviewing other singers, I’d even been able to sing quite a bit for the show. I’d been right about this job leading to new opportunities. In two months, I was looking forward to a concert at the Forum, and I was the main attraction. Someone else would be opening for me. I was so excited, I could barely stand it. God had blessed above and beyond what I’d thought possible.
As to Robert, God had brought to light his terrible schemes. He admitted to hiring Magnus to kill Daniel and also to hiring him a second time to attack me. He’d done it as a way to get back in my life, and all of it—even that horrible phone call Magnus made—had been part of his plan to make me fall for him. It was sick and twisted and beyond horrifying.
He and Magnus both took plea deals, so there was no trial. Thank goodness I didn’t have to testify in a court room. They were locked away in prison, and I was able to shut the door on that chapter of my life. Also, if Robert eventually got out one day, he would have to face a potential civil suit from Greg Bishop.
My former neighbor, Tom, was let off the hook for corroborating a false alibi. He could have been charged with obstructing justice, but the police decided not to make an arrest since Victor wasn’t behind Daniel’s death, and Tom had come forward with the truth.
Victor hadn’t been so lucky. He went to prison for illegal dog fighting, and he received a hefty fine as well.
Even though Robert was officially out of my life, it took a while for me to learn to trust people again. That didn’t apply to Troy—I trusted him completely. But as far as others… It was hard.
It was a trial I had to go through just like the many other trials I’d weathered, but God was so good. He brought some amazing new friends my way, and He showed me that the trust I put in Robert didn’t make me gullible. It made me human.
Troy was awesome through all of it. He told me that my kindness was one of the biggest reasons he loved me so much, and I shouldn’t change that just because someone took advantage of me. I found a happy medium: extend compassion to those I came in contact with but pay attention to the red flags as well. I was learning to seek God’s wisdom and also to listen to my gut if something didn’t feel right.
I learned another big lesson: heed my mama’s advice. She was older and wiser and she had a good handle on people. And speaking of her good judgment… She absolutely adored Troy, and my dad did too. They thought he was perfect for me, and we had their stamp of approval.
When Troy and I flew out to meet his parents, they had liked me so much they told Troy right then and there that they wanted to adopt me. His mother kept throwing out hints about engagement rings and wedding planners. It was quite comical, actually. I was just glad we got along so well. Troy told me he already knew we would because, apparently, I had a girl-next-door image or something like that. Whatever. I didn’t think I was that goody-goody, but I guess others saw me that way.
Today was the one-year anniversary from the day Troy and I first met, and Troy suggested we stop by Busy Bean Coffee before we went out to dinner to celebrate. I thought it was sweet and romantic given we’d met each other there. Granted, we had a rough start, but we’d certainly made up for it ever since.
Troy held my hand as we walked inside the coffee house, the scent of peppermint and hazelnut filling the air. We joined the back of the line and took a few seconds to study the menu. He glanced at me. “Are you getting what you had the day we met?”
I smiled mischievously. “I don’t remember what I got.”
“Oh, I do.” He laughed. “You ordered a non-fat latte with caramel drizzle and extra whipped cream.”
I cocked my head to the side and squinted. “Are you sure? That doesn’t sound very good. Who wants a non-fat latte? Yuck.” I winked to let him know I remembered but was going along with his teasing.
He chuckled. “Don’t
