Chapter 9

Kayla

I wake up the next morning in a happy daze. My carnival date with Liam was the best day of my life. We rode every ride, played every game, and snuck away for hidden kisses at every opportunity. Between us, we won so many prizes, we couldn't carry them all and gave them away to passing children on our way out.

Liam urged me to spend the night at his place and I'd never wanted anything so much before, but I was already pushing it and there were worried messages from my mom. Thankfully when I got home, they were still at the club, so I fell into bed to dream about all the wonderful things my man can make me feel.

But is he really my man? He said he was falling for me but he's going to get tired of sneaking around. My dad's going to put his foot down eventually.

Shaking off those rough thoughts, I go downstairs for coffee, bracing myself for questions. It's still quiet after my parents' late night out at whatever social gala they were at, so I take my caffeine hit back to the safety of my room. It's too early to be grilled.

Under my laptop and a few schoolbooks I brought home with me, is my old high school journal. Sipping my coffee, I open it and read the last few pages. Even back then I had trepidations about business school, but an old recipe for lemon bars I created makes me smile.

Liam loved those cookies I made for him, and I've only ever gotten rave reviews from my baking. If only…

Taking a pen, I start scribbling all my forbidden dreams, shaping what my perfect life would look like if I had any choice in the matter. It should be attainable, but I'm so far off course and have no resources without my father's financial aid. Even a full-time bakery gig would barely pay rent in the city. All I can do is write it down, as practical as throwing pennies into a wishing well.

I hear my father grumble in the hallway. "Is she back yet?"

"I'm sure," Mom answers. "Don't wake her."

Not listening, Dad flings open my door. I splash coffee on my journal in my shock. While I hastily dry my precious wishes, trying to pretend he's not there, he yanks the journal away so I have to face him.

"You were supposed to go to the office yesterday," he says, crumpling the pages.

Wincing, I answer truthfully. "I did. The proofreading is done."

"You should have started the next task," he says. "Not gone to the fair with that person."

"Are you spying on me?" I demand.

"I don't need to. Unfortunately, someone saw you making a spectacle of yourself, and let me know."

Mom sighs, but I feel violated. My cheeks burn as Dad recounts some of the things his informant saw.

"I was having a good time with a guy I like." It feels like a betrayal to Liam since he's so much more than that. "So what?"

"It makes Benjamin think you're not interested in his son," he shouts.

"I'm not," I shout back. Poor Mom is edging between us. I grab for my journal. "I'm not dating Brent."

"You are. We're all having lunch at the golf course. You'll be there and be civil." When I make another lunge for my notebook, he steps back and starts to read it. "What are you hiding in here? More plans to defy me?"

"Oh, honey," my mom says, but as usual she makes no move to get it back from him. She loves me, but she values harmony and civility, and deep down, she agrees with him.

Dad's face grows purple as he reads the last three pages. I got so lost in the fantasy, I really spelled it all out. I want to fling myself out the window, but keep my chin up until he tosses it to the floor and sneers at me.

"Are you even my daughter?" he asks, making my mom grab his arm. He continues. "Are you that much of an ungrateful fool?"

"I'm grateful," I argue. "But I want to do things my own way."

Kicking my journal, he scoffs. "You have no idea how hard it is to start with nothing. I do, which is why I've given you everything—"

"I don't need everything, just your support," I interrupt.

"Well, you're not getting another dime if you think I'm going to let you date a grimy tow truck driver."

Of course he thinks I mean money. "I'm an adult. You can't tell me who to date or not date."

With a bitter laugh, he turns away, pulling my mom toward the hall. "Be ready in an hour to go to the club."

"No," I say.

He stops dead and turns, fire in his eyes. "Then get out."

Mom gasps. "Stop now. This is getting out of hand."

"She's already gotten out of hand. Let her see what it's like without rent money, car payments, or tuition given to her."

He storms out. Mom gives me a look that's pitying and irritated at the same time, not noticing the tears streaming down my face.

"You're letting him kick me out?" I ask.

"It's only lunch, Kayla. Don't be so dramatic."

"I really like— I think I love Liam, Mom." I reach for her, pleading for her to understand.

With a sigh, she shakes her head. "If you're determined to defy your father, you better make yourself scarce until I can calm him down."

She leaves and I dissolve into sobs. Sinking to the floor, I call Liam. He instantly notices my ragged voice.

"What's wrong?"

"I need you. Please."

"I'm on my way."

What do I do now? Am I really about to be homeless? After getting a few things into a bag, I stumble out of the house, maybe forever, and sob fresh tears. I'm a couple blocks away when Liam rolls to a stop across the quiet street. Jumping out, he pulls me into his arms, kissing my hair.

"Come on," he says, leading me to his truck. I try to thank him and apologize for the inconvenience, but he cuts me off. "I was going to get you today anyway. I have something to show you."

"You do?"

He dries my tears with the side of his hand and smiles mysteriously. "Just wait."

Back at his cozy house, he settles me on the couch, and brings me a glass of orange juice and a bagel with cream cheese.

"Oh, you went shopping?" I ask.

"You have no idea," he says.

Curious, I go to his bright, airy kitchen. It's surprisingly like the one I wrote about in my journal, with yellow curtains and a spotlessly clean checkered tile floor. The fridge is full of eggs, butter, milk, and piles of fruit and vegetables, along with some steaks. The freezer has a tub of strawberry ice cream, my favorite. Liam opens the pantry door and it's still mostly empty, but has brand new bags of flour and sugar, along with cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate chips and shredded coconut, and a tin of baking powder.

"What is all this?" I ask.

Looking uncharacteristically nervous, he pulls a plastic jack-o-lantern from behind his back, like the kind kids collect Halloween candy in. Slapping it down on the table, he says, "Make your wish, Kayla."

I start to giggle and can't stop. "What's going on?"

"It was supposed to be a pumpkin," he explains. "But apparently it's impossible to get one this time of year, so…"

"Oh my God," I whisper, realizing what he's done. More tears spring to my eyes and I sit down, reaching for the plastic toy.

"Make a wish," he repeats. "I'm going to make it come true."

"You know what I really want," I say, meeting his gaze as my heart twists. "But…" We both know it's impossible. As much as I hate it, I can't be a burden to him. I'll have to return to school when summer is over.

He grins and sits down beside me, opening his laptop. A restaurant supply website is open to a picture of a big, expensive oven. He clicks through, showing me baker's racks and a mixer that makes me drool.

"That's all great," I say. "But if I don't go groveling back and promise to at least be nice to my dad's business partner's son, I'll be homeless."

"You're not groveling, you're never going to be homeless, and you're damn well not being nice to any other guy," he says, taking my face in his hands and kissing me hard. "You're moving in with me. I'm going to put off buying that second truck and get whatever supplies you need to start right here. I've already got a guy coming to replace the countertops so you have more room."

My heart clenches from his generosity and the love in his amber eyes. "You can't," I say. "I won't let you give anything up for me."

"I can, and you can't stop me," he says. Taking my hand, he pulls me out of his house, across the lawn and to the garage in front. Hauling me up a side stairway, he unlocks a door and leads me into a dingy, spiderweb laden apartment above his shop.

"Remember I said I wanted to get into real estate? I've been meaning to put this up for rent, but it needs so much work I can't find the time. But it'll bring in a good side income once it's ready. You can be the building manager when you're not baking."

I still can't believe this is real, but it's clear he's put a lot of thought into everything. He's determined and just waiting for me to say yes.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I ask, my voice breaking with emotion.

"Come on, Kayla," he says, giving my shoulders a small shake.

"Because you're falling in love with me? Is that a good reason to turn your life upside down?"

Another shake, his eyes growing stern. "You are my life."

This is real. Very real. And it's everything I've ever wanted. In the middle of the dusty apartment, I throw my arms around him. "I love you so much, Liam," I breathe into his neck. "And not just for making my pumpkin wishes come true." Leaning back, I find him smiling down at me. "I love how sure you are of everything, how hard you work, how resilient you are."

He stops me with a searing kiss, lifting me off my feet. When he puts me down, I take a deep breath, not sure my heart can stand so much happiness. Dust fills my throat, doubling me over in a coughing fit.

Liam picks me up around my knees and carries me out like a big bag of flour, and plops me down on his lawn, both of us giddy with the possibilities ahead of us. I realize he bought enough ingredients for me to whip up something delicious. The idea of a lazy afternoon baking for Liam, with plenty of kiss breaks, has me weak at the knees with happiness.

Except I'm not really free, am I?

"I'll have to face my dad," I say. "He's not going to like this. I really will be completely cut off."

"We'll go see him together," he assures me. "Whenever you're ready. And Kayla?"

"Yes?"

"I'm not falling in love with you. I'm already down, and never getting back up." He pulls me close, kissing me under the shade of his porch. When he pulls away, I'm locked in his gaze. "I love you."

I hold on tight, clinging to this moment with all my strength, pushing aside any thoughts that don't have to do with Liam and the new recipe I want to create for him. Nothing can ruin this. Not even my father's rage.

Right?