Read Head Start (Cedar Tree #7) for Free Online Page A

take the liberty of touching her leg when I notice her tensing up beside me. I don’t want her tense. I want her at ease with me. But then she turns those gray eyes on me, and the concern I see there when she asks me about work brings my worries back to the forefront. Her embarrassment is obvious when I voice my concerns about the dating site I found on her computer, and I’m frustrated as fuck that I can’t explain to her why. But her promise to be careful puts my mind at ease. I don’t have the right to ask more of her. Not yet anyway.
    Seb’s special is amazing, as usual. I don’t think I’ve ever had a meal here I didn’t like. Kendra and I eat in silence, except for the little sounds of appreciation she makes with every bite of her dinner. Torture. Her little moans are like nails scraping down my spine and I have to shift around my seat to get comfortable. When she puts down her fork, wipes her mouth and groans deeply with her hands rubbing her stomach, I push my stool back. I’m this close to throwing caution to the wind, yanking her off her stool and kissing the breath out of her until she moans like that for me.
    “Be right back,” I mumble as I walk, a bit uncomfortably, to the men’s room. By the time I’ve done my business, wash my hands and splash some cold water on my face, I walk out to find the counter empty. Fucking hell. My head whips around, just in time to see her take off in her green Toyota RAV4. She took off on me.
    Arlene stands by the cash with a big smirk on her face. “She had to go. Had some last boxes to pack before she had to meet someone for coffee. Paid for your meal, though. Says to consider it payment for your help with her move tomorrow.”
    My jaw clenches. My mind gets stuck on her meeting someone for coffee. Could be anyone, I guess. A friend, a neighbor...but for some reason, I don’t think so.
    “Did you hear what I said?” Arlene nudges my shoulder as I lean on the counter, staring out at the now vacant parking spot outside.
    “Sorry?” I turn to face her.
    “I said you might wanna gear it up a notch before it’s too late. Going for coffee sounds like a first step.” Her eyebrow is raised to her hairline.
    “Did she say who with?” I lean over the counter.
    “Nah, but there was something about the way she said it. Dang, that girl is proving to be a tougher nut to crack than Beth was.” Her knowing eyes smile at me. “Good thing we’ve all got your back on this.”
    “Don’t know what you’re talking about,” is my futile response. Because I know by now that everyone sees the situation much clearer than either Kendra or I do.
    A bit disappointed, but even more determined to make good use of my time with her tomorrow, I push off from the counter and head out the door. Arlene’s cackle following me all the way outside.

    K endra
    I should probably be nervous, but if I’m honest, the anxiety over tomorrow’s move overshadows anything else I might feel. Particularly, meeting this man I’ve been talking to for months. He seems like the perfect guy for me. The right age, a respectable job, many similar interests, not the least of which is hiking.
    The moment I pull the door open to the Espresso House, the mouth-watering scent of freshly brewed coffee wafts out. I know I’ll have to go with a decaf, or I’ll be up all night, but they make it so good here, you don’t even notice the difference. I lift my hand in greeting to one of the baristas I’ve become friendly with since discovering the place, and let my eyes roam around. I know it’s him the moment my eyes settle on the tall, rather lanky but undoubtedly handsome man. Dark hair neatly trimmed, pale eyes behind the studious glasses and a tentative lop-sided smile as he looks at me. I smile in response as I walk over. He pushes up from the chair and rounds the table, stumbling over a backpack by his feet before righting himself.
    “Hi, Kendra?” His voice is soft. Softer than it sounded on the phone.