“Kennedy…”
“You can’t just go through the rest of your life missing her.Keeping her a secret from one of your good friends? Pretending she didn’t exist,yet letting her death dictate everything you do? Matt, that’s not living.”
She didn’t have to tell me that. I knew it wasn’t living. BecauseI was fucking drowning. “And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Like I’m sure you overheard Penny say in the kitchen. Youdon’t have a ring on your finger.”
“I’ve been focused on growing my business.”
“Taking pictures?”
She frowned. “I’m a professional photographer, Matt. I’mtaking these photos because I have a very lucrative partnership with one of thetop real estate firms in the city. I own my own company and it’s doing great,for the record. And I won’t let people like you look at me like I’m nothinganymore.” She sat up and shoved the ice at me.
“Kennedy, I didn’t…”
“Yes you did. I’m not the same poor girl from the wrong sideof the tracks that you had to hang out with just because I was friends withBrooklyn.” She pulled on one of her boots. Boots that I hadn’t noticed beforehad royal blue soles. They were Odegaards. And anyone that could afford $3,000 Odegaardswas pretty well off.
“Hey.” I grabbed her hand. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Ireally didn’t. I used the wrong term. I meant photographer. You followed yourpassion. I think that’s amazing.”
“Really?” Her eyes softened.
“Yes, really. You went out and did your own thing. And you’reclearly killing it.”
She smiled. “I’m sorry I got so defensive. I think maybe Istill have a little chip on my shoulder from going to Empire High. Especiallybeing back in the city after all this time. I almost feel like the old me, ifthat makes any sense. And I’ve tried so hard to leave that person behind.”
I couldn’t help the corners of my mouth rising. “I alwaysliked that person.”
Her face flushed.
“When did you move back to the city?” I asked.
“A few weeks ago. I’ve been wanting to expand my business fora while and there’s just more opportunities here. I tried my best to stay away.But then there was this vacancy in the perfect location in Manhattan for my offices.I couldn’t say no.”
“Are you living in Manhattan too?”
“Actually, I moved in with my mom temporarily. Just until Ihave time to search for a new place.”
That explained the delicious smell of empanadas. “How is yourmom?”
“The same.” Kennedy smiled. “It’s so weird being home andhaving to live with her rules again.” She laughed.
“I bet.”
“She treats me like I’m still a kid. I could really use anight out.”
Was she asking me to ask her out? I didn’t know what to say. Iwas drawn to her, that was undeniable. But I think it had more to do with ourshared past. I couldn’t deny that she was attractive though. She had all thesame beauty she did when she was younger, but her curves had filled out. In anyother circumstance, she’d be someone I’d hit on. But she was Kennedy. My fiancée’sbest friend. She was older, sure. But she was still just as off-limits.
“Do you know the weirdest part about being back here?”Kennedy asked.
I shook my head.
“Every now and then, I see a blonde walking on the street andI completely freeze, thinking it’s her. I so badly wish it was her. But it neveris.” Kennedy sighed. “It was easier to be off somewhere I never knew her, youknow? God, I can’t even imagine if she was still alive after all this time? WhatI would say to her? Honestly, I’d be so pissed. I’d probably curse up a stormand make my mom furious.” She laughed. “Pull out a few of my favorite Spanishexpletives.”
“Sounds about right.” I never let my mind venture there. Tothe possibility of Brooklyn still being alive. Not after all the privateinvestigators I’d hired came back without any information. She was gone. Brooklynwas dead.
“So what have you been up to all these years?”
“Taking over MAC International.”
“Really?” She smiled. “I know you wanted that. Wasn’t Mason supposedto take over though?”
“He followed his passion, just like you did. He started hisown marketing firm. With his wife, actually.”
“That’s amazing. But you followed your passion too, right? Isn’trunning that company what you always wanted?”
What I always wanted? No, being married to my job wasn’t whatI always wanted. What I wanted was Brooklyn as my wife and a house full of kids.A house full of happiness. “Yeah,” I lied.
“It’s amazing that the four of you guys are still friends. Iwish I had a group of friends like that. I basically know no one in the entirecity.”
Brooklyn had been one of Kennedy’s only friends in high school.She’d been kind of a loner before Brooklyn moved to town. But I hadn’t let herfeel that way after Brooklyn’s death. I still sat with her at lunch every day. She’dbeen one of the Untouchables just as much as I had. But I guess we’d all losttouch with her.
“I’ll let you know next time we all hang out. You’re morethan welcome to come.” It wasn’t a date. But it was the best I could do. And itwould be a little while before that invite came. I needed to apologize to Jamesfirst.
“That would be amazing.” She reached down and finishedputting on her boots. “I should probably get going. My mom’s actually expectingme to be home for dinner.”
“Let me grab your camera.” I picked it up off the kitchen floor.“Or what’s left of it. I’m sorry, Kennedy. Let me replace it for you.”
“I don’t need handouts anymore, remember? Besides, it’sinsured. Is it okay if I come back tomorrow morning to shoot the pictures?”
“Fine by me. Just let yourself in.”
She laughed. “I think I’ll knock next time just to be safe.”
“Actually, can you hold off from taking the pictures for afew days?”
“Why? Have you changed your mind about selling the place? Itreally is a beautiful home.”
I hadn’t changed my mind. But I was worried about her safety.If I wasn’t staying here because of Mr. Pruitt, she shouldn’t be here either. “Yeah,I’m still thinking about it.”
“No problem.
