Chapter 34
Chapter 34:
“Okay,” Kailey murmured, staring up at the ceiling. “I’ll stay here a few more days, send out my resume, and then I’ll come find you p>
“So I’m the only one who has to wait? You can come to me, but I can’t come to you p>
“Well…” Kailey hesitated. Did he mean he actually wanted to see her? “I’m not in Jucridge right now. I’m staying in another city p>
Kyson was quiet for a beat, then his tone shifted. “You’re at the Owen estate p>
𝖣оn’𝗍 m𝘪𝘴𝗌 n𝖾𝘄 𝘳e𝗹𝖾𝖺sеѕ 𝘰𝗇 ѕ.сo𝗆
Kailey blinked. “Yeah p>
“Sweetheart,” Kyson said with a low laugh, his voice warm enough to send a strange little spark down her spine, “did you forget? I lived there for years too. My family’s old place is still right next door p>
Kailey went still at the first word, then her thoughts caught up with the rest. The Blake and Owen families had been neighbors for years. Perhaps Kyson genuinely did want to come.
After a moment, she said carefully, “Then come, if you want. Just don’t complain later that I dragged you all the way out here p>
That was the exact moment Ryan walked in.
His voice cut through the air, deep and sharp. “Who did you just invite to come here p>
Kailey paused, surprise flickering across her face as she pushed herself upright. “Uncle Ryan, why did you walk in without knocking p>
Ryan met her gaze with a faint frown, but nothing more showed on his face. Why should he bother with knocking? He had always come and gone as he pleased.
A flicker of annoyance crossed his features, and his words came out sharp. “It’s the middle of the day. Why can’t I walk in p>
“Men and women need to respect each other’s space,” Kailey replied, composed and unruffled. “I’m not a child anymore. Olivia could easily get the wrong idea if you keep doing this p>
The mention of Olivia sparked irritation in Ryan’s eyes. Of course—it was because of Olivia. In the past, Kailey would never have made a fuss about something like this. He leveled a stern look at her. “Drop the sarcasm. I only came to call you to dinner, not to debate etiquette p>
A soft sigh escaped Kailey. “I meant what I said. There was no sarcasm p>
“Let’s not turn this into an argument. That’s enough, Kailey,” he snapped, and walked out.
Kailey stared after him, at a complete loss. He hadn’t believed her when she said she liked him. Now that she said she didn’t, he doubted her again. Was there simply no version of herself that Ryan would ever take at her word?
The faint ping from her phone brought her back. She lifted it to her ear. “Kyson p>
His quiet laugh came through. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten all about me p>
“You know, you could have hung up first,” Kailey said, settling back onto the couch. “Did you catch everything my uncle just said p>
“Should I not have p>
“It’s nothing,” she replied, absently running her thumb along her nails. “We’ve just been clashing lately. I was worried you might take offense at how blunt things got p>