When they entered the restaurant, Alexa pulled back to walk a few steps behind Kit as the hostess led them to a small private room. Alexa was relieved to see that Kyle hadn’t arrived yet as they were seated. The hostess explained that Dr. Nicholls had called and was running late.
Kit took her seat and grinned at Alexa as the hostess left the room to fetch their server. She could sense that Alexa was holding something back from her and it was unnerving. “Lex, there’s that look again. What is up? You look really nervous. Is something bothering you? Is everything ok with Lila taking the lead as my publicist? Are you having second thoughts about handing it off to her so soon?”
Alexa shook her head and was about to speak when she noticed Kyle walking in. Kit had her back to the entrance of the room and was unaware that he was approaching. Alexa gulped as her eyes widened. Kit frowned at her and was about to make a comment when she heard a voice behind her that sounded eerily familiar.
“Kit, thanks for joining me for lunch today. Sorry, I’m late.”
She stood up and turned around to face him, freezing in her tracks. Her emerald eyes widened. Despite wanting to say something, the words escaped her. She stared at him silently for a few moments before turning to exchange a look with Alexa who cast her eyes down and nodded her head in confirmation.
Kyle grinned. “Hi, Kitty.”
She took a few steps forward until she stood directly in front of him, gazing up into his inviting sage green eyes. All the years of heartbreak over his absence suddenly made her feel enraged.
Instead of being happy that he was still alive as she thought she would be, she felt livid. She felt foolish and betrayed.
Her green eyes narrowed as she spoke through clenched teeth. “How dare you!” She reached up and slapped him hard across the face.
He took it like a champ and then nodded slowly before returning his gaze to her. “I owe you an explanation. Please, hear me out. Kit, you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. In fact, I never stopped loving you, just give me a minute here, ok?”
She exchanged a look of confusion with Alexa before meeting his eyes again. “Are you fucking kidding me right now, Kirby? Why the hell are you saying you’re Dr. Kyle Nicholls? What the fuck is going on right now? Who the hell are you?”
He sighed. “I wanted to explain everything to you. If you’d like, we can go back to my place and have lunch brought in so we aren’t limited by time. I’m off for the remainder of today and I’m not on call.”
She shot Alexa a disapproving glare. “You knew about this? You knew all about this and didn’t bother to tell me?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Unbelievable. Oh, I…” She seized her handbag. “This is insane, I have to go.”
Kyle exchanged a look of desperation with Alexa who sprang into action. She leapt up and caught up with Kit, seizing her arm. “Kitty, please. Just hear him out.”
She met her eyes. “Yes, I knew, but I just found out yesterday. He was that friend from school. I didn’t know until I walked into the meeting. I spent the entire evening with him last night catching up. I knew you two had lunch planned today, so I didn’t want to tell you. That’s why I’m here. I knew this would be a big deal.”
Kit closed her eyes and shook her head. “Alexa, are you kidding me right now?” She opened her eyes slowly. “You knew this would be a big deal? That’s an understatement.” Incensed, she looked away. “Lex, I don’t know if I can do this…”
Alexa gently rubbed her arm, desperate to reconnect and calm her down. “You can. I’ll be here the whole time. We’ll go over to his place and order in. No interruptions. Just the three of us. I’ve cleared my schedule for the day and evening.”
She bobbed her head. “Ok.”
Alexa nodded and put her arm around Kit. “Ok.” She glanced at Kyle. “We’ll take the car and meet you there.”
He gave her a slow nod of confirmation as he headed out before them. He got into his red Ferrari as Alexa and Kit were making their way out of the restaurant. As he pulled into traffic Kit watched the car.
She glanced over at Alexa. “He has a Ferrari? I thought he was some struggling resident surgeon.”
Alexa shrugged her shoulders as the limousine pulled up. “He was. Then he got access to all his money again. I guess he bought that for himself as a treat. You know how he was. Always into fast cars, appearances and such. By the way, those donations to your foundation, including the one that was made in Joe’s name…”
Kit sighed and closed her eyes. “Those were him. He pushed his money into the foundation.” She opened her eyes and stared at Alexa, her emerald eyes reflecting a hint of betrayal. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Why didn’t you call me last night when you got back? Why didn’t you just come over and tell me?”
She sighed and shook her head. “Kitty, it’s not my story to tell. He really wanted to tell you in person. I went through all the emotions with him last night. When I saw him in the meeting, I was really excited he was alive, but as the evening progressed after dinner, I found myself really angry with him too.”
She nodded. “I had a few choice words for him, I guess you could say, but then it was ok. And now I have one
