“It’s her way of giving me attention, I think.” Since her accident, she’d reevaluated many things. “She’s been so different lately. Really thoughtful.”
“She loves you,” Kam said simply. “She looked ready to lose it when she saw all your bruises.”
Yes, she had. “Unlike Addie, she’s not great at coddling, so she offers to bring me makeup to cover the bruises, or a stylist to fix my hair.” It amused her to see Kam’s frown. He looked as fierce as PB. “She also picked out comfortable clothes for me, and you know she’s offered me everything from a recliner to a new car.”
“The car,” he said, shaking his head. “Can’t believe you turned that down.”
Glory wrinkled her nose. “Leased through the company, so it’d basically be hers, and I know she’d pick something classic in black.”
“I take it that’s not your style?”
“Mostly I just want to handle it myself. I have insurance; the car was totaled. It’ll be fun—once I’m ready—to go car shopping.” That’d be well over a month from now, but still. “I hope you’ll go with me,” she added.
“I’d love to.”
Did that mean he was thinking long-term, too? Before she made her grand confession, she wanted to understand what had kept him away. Glory ate one last potato chip, drank the rest of her lemonade, and met his gaze. “Now that we’ve covered all the small talk, you said you had things to tell me?”
“I do, but I’m going to make it brief, okay? Once I put these dishes away, I need a long shower, and then, lady, I want to cuddle on the couch with you.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Then I’ll start with Kirby and finish up with Shara.” He told her how he’d seen Liam and Kirby talking, how he’d known something was wrong, and about the confession Kirby had made.
Once he got started, Glory could only listen in dismay. Good God, she’d brought so much trouble to this wonderful little town, all because she’d accepted a few dates with Mike.
He said, “I felt pretty certain you’d understand.”
“Poor Kirby.” Yes, she understood. Mike was even viler than she’d realized. “Will you and Tanner be able to help him?”
With a slow smile, Kam stared at her. “Somehow, I knew...” He left his seat and came around to her chair, bending to kiss her forehead, her temple, the side of her neck. “You always lead with your heart, don’t you?”
Right now, her heart was pounding. “You haven’t gotten to the part about Shara, yet.”
“I was so pissed at her earlier, but now, here with you...” He sighed. “Shara is in it up to her neck.” Pulling out the chair right beside her and taking her hand, Kam went through the mess blow by blow.
If she’d thought things were complicated with Kirby, Shara’s involvement was worse.
Glenda had suggested she should tell Kam how she felt, but how could she do that now? There was far too much going on without her also throwing out declarations of love.
His fingertips touched her chin and guided her face around so he could see her eyes. “Babe, we’re going to handle this, okay?”
What could she do but nod?
“You don’t look like you believe me.”
“I’m worried. I feel terrible for Kirby, and I feel bad for Shara—even though she tried to steal you away.”
Kam’s smile went crooked. “Her attempts were doomed to failure. I’m still here with you.”
Because she was a mess, and he was the kind of man who always wanted to help? Or because he loved her a little, too?
“You’re looking at me funny.” Kam stole a soft kiss. “You know Shara is just a friend now, right?”
A friend who wanted to sleep with him, but she trusted Kam. Shara, not so much. How could anyone resist him? Even now, with numerous aches and a heavy dose of worry, she wanted him. Pretty sure she’d always want him.
Lightly, Kam eased her hair behind her shoulders. “I want you to get in the habit of opening up to me. Can you do that?”
“Maybe.”