Caught Up (Windy City, #3)

by Liz Tomforde

I felt it in the way he kissed me because I’ve never been kissed like that—longed for. Needed. And I knew I had to give him the opportunity to take it all back if he couldn’t handle more. As my dad warned me, Kai gets attached, but I… I don’t. We stand at our respective room doors, each of us taking our time pulling out our key cards. “So…” Kai finally blurts. “So…” There’s a light tug at the corner of his lips, a bit of a stain from my lipstick there too, but he keeps his eyes down on the card in his hand, twirling it between his fingers. “Thanks for a fun night.”

“Thank you for bringing Max to the field today. It meant the world to me.” “I can’t believe none of his other nannies ever brought him.” “I never asked them to. I never talked to any of them long enough to ask.” “But you talk to me.” His blue eyes are soft. “Yeah, Mills. I talk to you.” I settle my head back into his chest, once again soothingly tracing the lines on his ribs. “Besides being tempted to murder my catcher,” Kai adds with a yawn, “today was a good day.” “They can all be good days.” His breathing slows and his words are barely a sleepy whisper when he says, “At least for the next six weeks.”

“So, what’s next?” He casually leans back on the counter, ankles crossed. “After your interview with Food & Wine.” What is next? I haven’t thought that far. My entire life, I’ve thrived on achievements. All-American softball pitcher in high school. Check. Top of my class in culinary school. Check. Named the best in my field by winning the highest honor in my industry. Check. So, what comes after there are no more checkmarks left to chase? “I…I don’t know.” “Will your debt be repaid?” “What debt?” “The non-existent debt you owe Monty for adopting you. That’s what you meant in Miami, right? You feel like you owe him for what he gave up for you.” For fuck’s sake. Is it an older guy thing? A single parent thing? Or am I that obvious? “I’m not that dense, Miller. You love him yet you’re never around. Is that why you’ve stayed away? Because you feel guilty?” “Can you not be so mature and intuitive for like two seconds?” He shifts, stepping closer. “Miller—” I hold my hands up to stop him. “I just…after everything he’s done for me, he deserves to live the life he missed out on.” Kai’s brows pinch. “The life he missed out on? He misses you.” “Don’t say that.” “It’s true. He never used to talk about you. Did you know that?

It feels really fucking good to be looked at the way she looks at me, especially by a woman like Miller. Beautiful, successful, could have any man she wants but is looking at me.

“Never had what?” I ask. “An overbearing dad or a date?” “Neither.” She stops in her tracks, turning in to face me. “This isn’t a date, right?” “Oh, I know you better than that. I wouldn’t dare take you on a date. That’s way too much commitment for you, Montgomery.” * * * When our rideshare drops us in the North End of Boston, my hand immediately finds the small of Miller’s back, ushering her toward the bustling building. I’d rather hold her hand, lace our fingers together, but I have to take it slow with her, keep her from overthinking it all.