No, Will didn’t need any more complications right now.
Not one.
* * *
KENZIE MET NATHANIAL’S gaze as he opened her car door. He’d hung around to help her set up the equipment in the mediation room, but he hadn’t mentioned anything about Will until this very moment, when he stared at her with blue eyes uncharacteristically serious.
“I don’t like this guy, Kenz. That’s twice I’ve met him, and every red flag I have is flying.”
Adrenaline had stopped pumping through her a while ago. Maybe the activity of setting up equipment had made her feel more in control. Nathanial’s presence had definitely helped smooth away the raw edges of her mood, a calming presence as he usually was. Or maybe, as much as she hated to admit it, she’d simply settled down because Will had left. How could she deny that adrenaline went from zero to sixty with one flash of his dimples?
“Will is not my cup of tea, Nathanial.” That much was the truth. “You above everyone should know that.”
“What exactly about him isn’t your cup? That he owns his own business? That he’s active in politics? Or that he made your dreams come true by installing you in Madame Estelle’s building for a low-income rent?”
She usually appreciated Nathanial’s straight-to-the-point presentation. Not tonight.
“Maybe it’s the part where he’s been divorced—not once, but twice. Or the part where he has primary physical custody of his son in addition to his own business and a seat on council. I’m thinking the guy doesn’t do much dating even if he was my cup of tea.” All entirely true.
“Divorced twice?” Nathanial pulled a face. “And they gave him custody? That speaks for itself, don’t you think? Who voted this guy into office, anyway?”
Kenzie shrugged, suddenly unwilling to admit she hadn’t voted for Will. The image of a sweet little boy with big eyes and a happy smile flashed in her mind. There were special circumstances about why Will had gotten custody of his son. Kenzie might not know the whole story, but she had met both Sam’s parents and had seen Will with his son.
She understood his loyalty to Angel House. Loyalty that had spurred him to run for city council to further his private agenda. He may have won the seat because of the cause he served. Or simply on the strength of his charm. Given her own experiences with the man, Kenzie would believe that. Easily. But clearly winning that seat had been meant to be.
There were definitely special circumstances about the custody arrangement. Definitely.
But Kenzie kept her mouth shut and didn’t attempt to explain. Nathanial was her best friend in the world, and she’d always shared freely with him, but right now she felt protective of Will, and Sam. She didn’t want to open them up to judgment. Any judgment, especially since Nathanial had already decided he didn’t like Will.
“I appreciate your concern, and your opinion,” she said softly. “But don’t worry about me.” Slipping her hand over his where it still sat poised on her open window, she gave a reassuring squeeze.
Nathanial didn’t look reassured. Not one bit. He leveled an unwavering gaze. “I hear what you’re saying.”
Which implied he didn’t believe her.
She supposed that shouldn’t surprise her, either. He could see what she wasn’t sharing. And was worried. Normally, he would be the one she hashed through her feelings with, the one who would listen to her think out loud or rant or do whatever she needed to do to make some sense of the way she felt.
She wanted to talk, needed to talk after tonight, but the idea of discussing her reaction to Will with Nathanial made her feel vulnerable, as if she’d open up herself to be stepped on.
Which was so unfair to Nathanial. True, he’d never been one to sugarcoat his opinion, but he was a wonderful, caring man who loved her. Kenzie was the problem. And the way she felt.
She was the biggest fool.
But Nathanial didn’t offer to talk, which cued her that he wasn’t available. They played this little game whenever they weren’t in full relationship mode.
Nathanial hadn’t mentioned he was dating anyone, though, and he would have. They were friends before anything else. That was her favorite part of their relationship. They usually shared everything. She’d cried in his arms after Jack had ended their relationship when he shipped off for his second tour in Iraq.
Nathanial had railed until 4:00 a.m. after a fight with ex Charlotte that had resulted in the demise of their relationship. She’d been casually seeing someone else and hadn’t wanted to break up with Nathanial until forced to make a decision. He’d felt betrayed and hurt, which had manifested as an anger the likes of which Kenzie hadn’t seen before or since.
They could share their feelings this way because they had forever plans. But those plans wouldn’t start until they established their careers and were ready to settle down to begin the next phase of life, to commit completely and start a family, because they both wanted one.
That only made sense.
Nathanial bent into the open window and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Drive safely,” was all he said. Then he hopped into his car and waited for her to pull out, ever the gentleman.
Kenzie drove on autopilot, heading toward their part of town. They didn’t live far from each other. But Nathanial turned off Main Street as if heading in the direction of his office. She wondered if he was preparing for a big case and felt selfish for not asking. She was so wrapped up in her own emotions right now, trying to manage them and failing miserably.
Kenzie needed to talk. Her thoughts were spinning again now that she didn’t have Nathanial or work to distract her. The situation was ridiculous.
As she sat through the unnecessarily long traffic light at the intersection of Blossom and Sixth, she texted her other best friends in the world, Fiona and Jess.
SOS. Can you guys meet at Kevin’s?
Kevin’s bistro was one of Hendersonville’s best-kept secrets, and the locals liked it that way. And while Kenzie had no appetite whatsoever, a glass of wine would work in a big way. Jess responded almost instantly. Kenzie glanced at her phone at the next traffic light.
Sorry! No can do! Any time tomorrow.
“Bummer,” she said aloud. Didn’t matter whether or not Fiona could make it now. Fiona and Jess were a package deal. If she shared her angst with Fiona first, Jess would feel left out and vice versa. She would share anything with either of them, but she could only share when they were together, an unspoken rule, which made their friendship a bit of a balancing act.
She was nearly home when Fiona finally replied.
Got a function. Won’t get out of here until ten.
Kenzie waited until she pulled into her driveway before replying.
Too late. Any time free tomorrow?
No. Saturday?
Which effectively took care of talking with her other two best friends for the moment. Kenzie suggested lunch and asked Fiona to check the time with Jess then received the reply:
Kk. Let you know ;-)
And that was that. Grabbing her laptop case, Kenzie headed inside, accepting that she was alone with her thoughts tonight.
She changed into more comfortable clothes. She called her parents to see how their day had been and resisted the urge to discuss the situation with her mother. Mom was a wonderful listener and would offer practical advice if asked, but she was also not as young as she used to be. She and Dad sat down after dinner and dozed in their chairs through all their favorite programs.
To spring this on her at this time of night...
So Kenzie opened the bottle of Malbec that she’d been hoarding since Nathanial had given it to her on Valentine’s Day. She’d hoped to share it with him, but lately they seemed to get together everywhere but here, so she poured a glass, even though she knew she’d never finish the bottle herself before it turned.
No sooner did she settle into her comfy chair in the living room with a stack of pending cases to review when her cell rang. She glanced at the display.
“Geri, what a nice surprise. What’s up?”
“Am I catching you at an okay time?”
“Couldn’t be better. I hope you’re not still working though. It’s almost eight o’clock.” Kenzie tucked her legs underneath her and reached for her glass.
“I’m home, but do we ever stop working? I mean, really stop. Put everything out of our heads and not think about anything work-related at all.”
“Given that I just sat down for the first time today, and I brought a stack of folders of potential clients to review, I’m going to answer no.”
Geri chuckled. “Me, either. I think we need to get lives.”
Which was Geri’s polite way of telling Kenzie to get a life. Geri already had one. Two wonderful, successful children who were married and lived within driving distance. No grandchildren yet, but they were likely in the works, so little ones shouldn’t be in the too-distant future.
But Geri’s husband had died two years ago from a heart attack, far too young. Geri had been dealing with the unexpectedness of his passing and coping with her grief since then. She got a free pass for not having much else outside of work. All her plans to grow old with her husband had been derailed. She would eventually figure out what the future held for her, but she wouldn’t rush. She’d fill her life with the people she loved and work.
But as far as Geri was concerned Kenzie hadn’t started her life yet, and she’d never been shy about sharing that opinion, going so far as to ask Nathanial why he was waiting to pop the big question at last year’s Independence Day picnic.
And suddenly Kenzie was struck by the similarities between them. She filled her life with the people she loved and work, too. That was a good thing, right?
“This is the first chance I’ve had all day to give you a call.” Geri launched into the summary of a case that had led her to a mediator from another county she thought Kenzie might be interested in. “I want you to check her out. I was impressed by her work on a tough case. She’s not technically practicing collaborative mediation, but it was close enough that I thought you’d be interested in what she’s doing. I know you’re always on the hunt for qualified professionals.”
“Especially now I have room to start my training program, thanks to you. I appreciate how you always keep your eyes open.”
“We’ll never push divorce reform in this state without the professionals willing to crusade for the cause. You know that as well as I do.”
“I do. Feels like nothing is really happening yet.”
A sharply exhaled breath hissed over the line. “Kenzie, how can you even say that? You’ve accomplished so much even before you started the agency. We’ve accomplished a lot with our family court here in Henderson County.”
“True, thank you for the pep talk. I am excited.” She laughed. “Well, I will be, when my classrooms are functioning.”
“How’s that going, by the way? You settling in?”
Kenzie sipped the Malbec, savored the deliciously dry and full-bodied wine in her mouth before swallowing. Nathanial was the best. Chocolate for Valentine’s Day? Not for Kenzie. She’d take a blooming plant for her garden and a bottle of wine any day. Only good wine, though. “I think so.”
“You sound undecided. Want to talk?”
Kenzie smiled into the beautiful space she’d created in her living room with huge circles of soft light from the beaded lamps and all the paned windows and live ferns and an airy rattan sofa with the big cushions that matched this chair.
And here she thought she’d be alone with her thoughts tonight. Things worked out exactly the way they were meant to. Kenzie needed to remember that. “Something divine must be at work right now because you’re a little angel.”
Hearty laughter. “I know what that means. What’s on your mind, dear girl. I have lots of opinions. Always glad to share.”
“And I value your opinions, Geri. You know I do.”
“Always said you were a smart girl.”
Which meant something since Geri had been around for as long as Kenzie could remember. So she explained what had been going on with her and Will. There was no embarrassment to admit when she was in over her head. Not with Geri, who knew everything about Kenzie and had daughters of her own.
By the time Kenzie had finished explaining about her run-in with Nathanial and Will tonight, she was halfway through her glass of wine and Geri was on the other end of the line saying, “Mmm-hmm. I understand the problem.”
“I’m thrilled to hear that,” Kenzie said. “Any idea about a solution? I could use one of those right now.”
“Do you hear yourself, Kenzie? I mean really hear what you’re saying?”
“What?”
“You’re micromanaging your physical reactions. Or trying to. I really don’t think you can do that, which is probably why it’s not working.”
“Of course I’m micromanaging them, Geri. If I don’t, who will? They’re my reactions.”
Silence. Then a deep sigh. “That’s not exactly what I meant. I get that you’re choosing what to do with your feelings, and I agree. But it seems that if you’re having this strong of a reaction to Will, maybe you should be analyzing why instead of attempting to ignore how you feel when that’s not working.”
“I’m not sure knowing why matters.”
“But don’t you think it’s possible that something might be there, something special between the two of you? Why else would you be having such a physical reaction to the man?”
Something between her and Will? It took Kenzie a moment to wrap her brain around what Geri suggested.
“No,” Kenzie finally said. Then repeated more decidedly. “No, Geri. No. There can’t be anything between me and Will, special or otherwise. Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s not the kind of man I want a future with.”
“I didn’t say you had to marry him.”
Kenzie shook her head. “What are you saying then?”
“Um, you date, right?”
“The man’s been divorced twice.”
“And?”
“The man’s been divorced twice.”
“Oh, you have criteria. Got it. Will Russell is unsuitable.” Geri chuckled. “Does that mean you found out what the deal was with his son? Why did he get primary physical custody? I’d be interested in hearing.”
“I have no idea.” Kenzie realized that she didn’t mind sharing revelations about Sam with Geri. “My guess is that it has something to do with his son’s special needs.”
“That makes the situation tough. What’s he dealing with?”
“Autism.”
“What a shame. The mother involved at all?”
Kenzie turned to stare out the picture window into the darkness beyond, shadowed by the bright interior light. She might not be able to see them, but her gardenia bushes were there, scenting the night with their heavenly fragrance.
“I think so, but I’m not sure ho
w much,” Kenzie said. “Will mentioned his son on moving day. Got the impression he was with his mother for Mother’s Day.”
“That’s good. Can’t be easy taking care of his son alone.”
“No, I imagine not.” She remembered their ball game in the park. Their dinner at Kenzie’s. Putting the big dance studio to use so Sam could get the wiggles out, as Will had called it.
“I have to be honest, Kenzie. I’m not hearing too much unsuitable about Will yet. Two divorces. Is that all you have?”
“Two divorces means we have a man with some relationship issues. I don’t have any idea what they are, of course, but I promise you he has them. He could be choosing his partners poorly, but I don’t think that’s the case because I’ve met one of his ex-wives.” Of course, she’d lost custody of her son, so maybe Kenzie was the one who shouldn’t be forming opinions.
She definitely shouldn’t be forming opinions.
“You mentioned that. So what do you think it is? Dealing with an autistic child is tough, Kenzie. Couldn’t stress have played a big factor?”
“I’d imagine it could. But what about the first divorce? No autism there to my knowledge. My guess is inadequate relationship skills.”
“Speculation.”
“Agreed,” Kenzie said. “But enough circumstantial evidence to suggest he has some issues.”
“We don’t convict on circumstantial evidence, and you won’t have hard facts unless you get to know the man personally.”
“Point taken. But I’m not interested in his issues, Geri. I don’t have time to date at the moment, and he’s not the sort of man I’d consider a future with.”
“Then you’re back to square one with your reactions.” Before Kenzie got a chance to reply, Geri said impatiently, “Okay, okay. So what sort of man do you want a future with?”
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