Read Kissing Kendall for Free Online Page B

make.
    And speaking of eyes…
    Brad really did have the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen on a man. They were a lovely shade of cornflower blue surrounded by thick, dark lashes that made them look all the more compelling. A woman could get lost staring into those eyes. And apparently, Brad had left quite a trail of broken hearts back in high school, from what Georgie had mentioned. Kendall’s heart might have become one of them if she’d allowed it. Brad had a way of smiling at her that made her feel as if she were the only woman in the room. But next to her grandmother, Georgie was the closest thing to family Kendall had, and she had come to value Brad in the same way. She’d never jeopardize that relationship over the little crush she’d first had.
    Brad had so much more going for him than just looks. He was kind and honorable and protective of those he loved, too; the perfect man for any woman.
    Well, any woman but her, that is.
    Her grandmother’s eyes narrowed shrewdly. “Brad will be working here a lot, I imagine.”
    “Yes, on his days off. But he’s a police officer, Grammy. I can’t expect him to be helping me twenty-four-seven. And I’m sure he has other projects he might be working on for his handyman business.”
    “Mm-hmm, I do remember he’s an officer—and I approve. It’ll be good for you to spend time with such a nice young man as that.”
    “Spend time with— What? Oh, it’s not like that at all. Our relationship is strictly professional. Well, we are friends, but we’re not—”
    Maeve’s chuckle had Kendall snapping her mouth shut. What was so amusing?
    Her grandmother closed the distance between them and stroked the side of Kendall’s face with her fingers. “Jake would approve, too, and would want you to move on with your life,” she said in a gentle tone.
    Kendall stiffened then turned away. “I don’t want to talk about Jake or what he would want right now.” She snuck a glance back at her grandmother’s hurt face and immediately regretted her gruff response. “I’m sorry,” she said with a sigh. “I know what you’re saying and I completely get it. But I’m…I’m just not interested in Brad that way.” Although as soon as she said the words, her stomach clenched and she knew what she had spoken was a lie—or that she needed something to eat. She prayed it was the latter.
    It had to be the latter because no matter how attractive Brad was, they were only friends. Brad had never given her any clue of having any interest beyond that. Besides, she was done hanging her hopes on any kind of relationship with a man who had a dangerous job. There was no way she would make that mistake again. And Brad deserved to find a stronger woman, someone who could support him in his line of work. And she, well—when she was ready, that is, she needed to find a man who was… safe .
    Someone physically fit with no preexisting health conditions would be a plus too.
    Her grandmother heaved a disappointed sigh. “If you say so, dear. I just hate seeing my beautiful young granddaughter waste her life.”
    Kendall’s eyes widened. “Grammy, how can you say that?” She spread her arms out wide, gesturing around the diner. “Look at what I’ve decided to take on. Does this look like someone who is wasting her life? I’m going to be a small-business owner soon. This is good. Really good. What I’ve always wanted.” One of the things she always wanted, anyway.
    She just hoped it was enough.

    Kendall carried her laundry basket into the living room. “What do you want to watch tonight, Deucey?” she asked, turning on the TV.
    Deuce wagged his tail in response. No big surprise there. This had been their routine as of late; she randomly picked out a mindless television program and Deuce sat on her lap, watching it with her. However, tonight she felt like shaking things up a bit, so she decided to add folding laundry into their weekend repertoire.
    Ooh, if only my friends could see