Kit thought about her own musketeers, Alexa and Joe and now understood the gravity of the relationship and the bond Sully had with Kendalle. She swallowed hard, suddenly feeling bad she made such a rash assumption about Kendalle and didn’t give Sully more of an opportunity to explain.
She sighed. “I get it, Bry. Ok, I’ll do better than being nice today, I’ll set up some time so she and I can get to know each other. Seems she could use a friend or two as she goes through her cancer journey. And since I’m in L.A. maybe that could help. I’m sure she has friends here though, right?”
He bobbed his head. “Sure. She’s got a few. Kendalle’s pretty well connected. And before you even ask—no, she’s not a partier. She used to be and she got her shit straightened out. She went to rehab two years ago and she’s been clean ever since. Her partner, Magda, was really there for her as she worked through it. I miss Magda. She was really cool.”
Kit nodded. “I could keep asking you questions about Kendalle, but I think at this point, it’s best if I ask her those questions directly so I can get to know her and she can get to know me. Do you think that’s a good plan?”
He smiled wide. “Kitty, I think that’s a great plan!”
When they returned to the studio, Kendalle had arrived. She was chatting with A-Dub and the other backup singer, Ivy. Kit surveyed from a distance noticing she was an average height with long legs and a very slender physique. She was supremely stylish and well put together. Kit could easily see how she was once a ballerina.
Her bright cornflower blue eyes danced as she chatted with A-Dub. She had lots of charisma and a perfect smile that lit up the room immediately. Kit noticed the chic scarf that she had fashionably wrapped around her head. She figured it was due to the chemo treatments taking her hair. As Sean and Sully had confirmed, she was indeed a stunner. Kendalle looked like a model.
Bryan ran over to Kendalle and enveloped her in a bear hug as she giggled. As she pulled back she gave him a quick peck on the lips. As Kit watched them, she saw elements of how she and Alexa used to act with Joe and how he interacted with them. It became very obvious that this was a similar relationship and once again, she felt her body relax.
Kit approached and smiled, extending her hand. “Kendalle, hi. I’m Kit. I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch.”
Kendalle met her welcoming emerald eyes and offered a friendly smile. She giggled, ignored the handshake, pulled Kit into her arms and hugged her tightly. “It’s good to finally meet you.”
She pulled back and met Kit’s eyes. “It seemed like whenever you and Pat, um, Sully were in town I was out of town, including your wedding in New York years ago. I hope you don’t mind that I went on the road with Bryan and Pat for a bit. I needed to…”
Kit smiled and held up her hand to stop Kendalle mid-sentence. “It’s perfectly fine. I’m glad you did. I think Sully needed that too.”
Kendalle bobbed her head and grinned. “Yeah. He told me you’d get it. Glad to see you do.”
Kit met her eyes. “I’d love to talk more, we gotta get to work now. Dinner tonight?”
Kendalle smiled. “I’d like that.”
A-Dub walked over. “Ok you two, social hour is over. Kendalle, let’s get you and Ivy in the booth to do a quick run through. If it goes well, we’ll put Kit back in the mix and continue.”
Kendalle nodded to him and headed into the vocal booth with Ivy. Kit took a seat next to Bryan on the sofa and got comfortable, ready to listen. A-Dub hit the playback and perched over the soundboards. Seconds later as the backing vocals came in he nodded his head. He let them finish out the chorus and then he stopped them.
He turned around and looked at Bryan. “Thank you. She’s perfect! We’ve got ourselves a great backup singer.” He met Kit’s eyes. “Get back in the vocal booth, Missy. Let’s keep going.”
Kit had finished locking her car and was headed toward the restaurant, when she noticed the white Lotus Esprit turning into a parking space. Kendalle got out moments later. Kit waved to her.
Kendalle approached, smiling. “I’ve never been to Chin-Chin. Is it good?”
Kit chuckled. “Is it good? Oh, that’s an understatement.”
She started leading her toward the restaurant. “When Sully and I were first dating, he brought me here. It was big deal because he finally had money, so he was all proud to pay for everything. It was really cute. It’s been one of our favorite places ever since.”
Kendalle smiled. “That’s adorable and sounds just like him.” Her eyes met Kit’s. “I’ve never seen him as in love with anyone as he has been with you all these years.”
Before Kit could interject, Kendalle continued. “I know things are strained between you two right now. He told me all about it. And we’re here to hang out and get to know each other, so let’s do that. I don’t want to talk about Pat all night.” She giggled. “As much as I love him, I can think of many other things to chat about.”
Kit laughed. “Ok. Good plan. Let’s go order some food.”
Tucked into her favorite booth, Kit enjoyed dinner with Kendalle, finding that they were getting along extremely well. She now knew why Sully always used to say that Keni and she would hit it off. Back then, though, she had imagined that Keni was a guy and didn’t get it. Now everything was
