CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

JOSH

I must be seeing things. I’ve been thinking about her constantly, and now here she is, at the restaurant. She just strolled through the door.

The two men I’m having a lunch meeting with are staring at her. Ogling. I’m pissed they’re checking her out. She looks good, and I can’t take my eyes off her. The dress she’s wearing clings to her. Her beautiful blonde hair is falling past her shoulders. And the way her hips sway when she walks… Intoxicating.

She sits down at a table at the front of the restaurant. I realize now that the woman sitting next to her is her mother. I noticed her with a man when I entered but didn’t put two and two together.

It’s remarkable how normal Kim is with a mother like that. Yes, I checked her out, so sue me. The file I have on her is very thorough. Got my intel out of house. I don’t want anyone knowing my business.

One of the men I’m with gets my attention.

“Sorry, what was that?” I don’t bother with what he says next. Can’t take my eyes off Kim’s table. The jerk is inching closer to her. She doesn’t seem to like it.

I excuse myself and get up and make my way over there. Josh Dalton to the rescue. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I don’t like how he’s crowding her.

I come up behind Kim. Her mother’s and the man’s gaze meet mine. Neither is happy to see me. I really don’t care.

Kim must feel my presence because she turns in her seat and looks up at me. Her eyes widen and then narrow. “What do you want, Josh?”

I don’t blame her for being upset. Most girls would be. I don’t know why I came over here. Couldn’t stop myself.

“Dear, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

“Sorry.” Her head tilts. “I … Ah … Mom and ...” She snaps her fingers multiple times, in rapid succession.

I try not to laugh. The guy must not be memorable. He dresses nicely, but that’s about it. The boring stockbroker type. Likes to throw his money around to show off but has no substance.

The stockbroker gets a pinched look around his mouth and eyes. He isn’t used to someone forgetting him.

Her mom comes to the rescue, though.

“It’s Paul, dear,” she reminds her daughter sweetly.

“Yes, sorry. This is Josh Dalton, everyone.”

I nod, keeping my gaze squarely on Kim until her mother says something asinine.

“Kim, Paul is just perfect for you. A fall wedding between the two of you would be wonderful.”

What? This stuffed shirt isn’t perfect for her. He shouldn’t even be sitting next to her.

“Mom, I just met him,” she stresses.

“You aren’t getting any younger. And did you know Paul is interested in starting a family right away? I know how much you want kids.”

I clench my hands. The woman has some kind of nerve setting her daughter up like that… Fuck.

Kim turns almost white. I feel sorry for her. Glad my mom isn’t like that.

I squeeze Kim’s shoulder. “Apparently, Kim hasn’t mentioned this, but she and I are dating.” I eye her mother before turning to Paul. He wants to be anywhere but here. “Sorry, old boy, but she’s taken.”

Kim stiffens under my hand but doesn’t say anything.

Paul stands and drops his napkin on the table. “Guess there’s no reason for me to stay.”

Without waiting for a response, he leaves. Now it’s the three of us.

Kim’s mother glares across the table at her. Geeze. She acts like it’s her fault.

“How could you embarrass me like that?” she rants.

According to Kim’s file, her mother is a selfish, horrible person. The file seems to be spot on.

“I’m sorry, Mother,” Kim states. “But I’m leaving.”

This isn’t how I meant for this to go. Kim gets up and leaves without a backward glance. I want to follow but can’t. The two men I’m having lunch with are still waiting for me at my table.

Boy, does this suck.