Chapter 29

Mason

As the evening progressed, the boundary between what was real and what was fake began to blur.

"For someone unsure of his acting abilities," Kenna smiled up at me, "you're killing it."

"Why thank you," I told her.

She didn't need to know that my performance was, in fact, not a performance at all.

Kenna slowly untangled herself from my embrace, and I instantly missed her warmth.

"Let's get some food," she said. "I'm starving!"

Her soft hand wrapped around mine, and I gladly followed her inside to the buffet-style spread.

"Semi-formal wear, but a buffet dinner?" Kenna said under her breath, and I chuckled in response.

"I will gladly thank Brett for setting the dress code and allowing me to see you in this black dress," I admitted. "You're a fucking vision."

Kenna's fair complexion flushed with a deep crimson hue. She averted her gaze, unable to meet my eyes, as she fidgeted nervously with her hands.

"Sorry if that was too—" I began.

Kenna turned to me, "Are you apologizing for complimenting me?"

"Maybe," I said. "If it made you uncomfortable."

Her gaze met mine, her head slightly tilted as if contemplating my words. The intensity in her eyes stirred something profound within my soul. It was a feeling I had never experienced before, leaving me slightly disoriented.

"You're a fucking vision, too," she whispered before turning her attention back to the buffet.

∞∞∞

"Ken!" Brett yelled from across the room. "Come here."

From our first handshake, I could sense Brett's superiority complex. His arrogant demeanor and condescending tone grated against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

"She's not a lap dog," I replied, and some of the partygoers whipped their heads in my direction.

"I wasn't speaking to you," Brett informed me as he approached us.

Kenna stepped between us, "What's up, Brett?"

Kenna's forced cheeriness was palpable, and I could sense that she was desperately trying to ease the tension. My feet instinctively moved backwards as if to distance myself from the conflict. It was not my place to stand up for Kenna unless she explicitly asked for my support.

"Let's go have a chat," Brett grabbed Kenna's forearm and yanked her towards him.

She pulled her arm away from him just as quickly. "I just promised Mason a last dance before we head out," she said.

When my name was mentioned, I extended my hand to Kenna.

She didn't hesitate to take it.

Brett sneered at the two of us, but his fiancée quickly swooped in. "Brett!" Angelica whined. "You haven't danced with me yet!"

"Do you hear yourself?" Brett's face contorted into a look of pure disgust. "You sound like a needy five-year-old. Go get a snack or take a nap or something."

When Kenna's grip around my hand tightened, I knew Brett's harsh words also affected her.

Is that how Brett used to talk to Kenna?

Before we could bear witness to more humiliation, we booked it to the backyard dance floor. I took Kenna back into my arms, and when she placed her head against my chest, I felt the tension in her muscles ease. When she lifted her chin, her eyes bounced between mine and my lips.

Did she want me to kiss her?

She stood on her tiptoes, her lips coming to my ear. "I have a confession," she whispered.

My brow rose in response. "Oh yeah?"

"The other day, when I was staying over at your place," she paused, lowering her voice even further, "I had a dream about you."

"I thought you had a nightmare?"

"I mean, having a dream about a hot guy while you're sleeping on his couch? Kind of a nightmare," she laughed.

Hearing her confession, I couldn't resist pulling her closer to me. "What happened in this dream of yours?" I asked.

"Things I've never done before," Kenna admitted. "Things I'd like to do."

A growl caught in my chest when I lowered my gaze to those big doe eyes. Before I could think of a reason not to, I leaned in and pressed my mouth against hers. Our lips met in a burst of passion. It felt like the earth was shifting beneath our feet. She snaked her hand around my neck, pulling me closer, as my tongue danced with hers.

She was urging me to devour her.

Suddenly, a round of applause came from behind us.

Not again.

Kenna pulled away from me, her eyes heavy-lidded and lips swollen.

The next thing I knew, Brett was patting me on the back.

"Well done, man," he said. "Very impressive."

Kenna looked like she wanted to vanish into thin air.

Brett wasn't done, "Is this your charity case of the week, Kenna?" he asked. "He's a real downgrade."

"You're horrible," was her only response to him.

It was evident that our public humiliation was all Brett desired. He relished the discomfort and embarrassment of others.

Kenna's next move was unexpected and bold. With purposeful strides, she closed the distance between her and Angelica until they stood face to face. Without hesitation, Kenna reached out and grasped Angelica's hands in her own.

"I was you once," Kenna told her. "I was silenced. I was forced to dim my light. I was forced to think there was something wrong with me. But there wasn't. There isn't. The part of you that another person wants to dim is the part of you that should shine the brightest."

Kenna reached into her tiny purse, rummaged around, and pulled out a crisp white business card. She gently placed it in Angelica's hand. "If you ever want to talk," Kenna said, "I'm here."

Without another word, Kenna reached for my hand, our fingers intertwining. With a gentle squeeze, she led me out of the party.

"Just to be clear," Kenna barely whispered as we slid into my car, "you would be an upgrade."

I laughed at her confession, but the look on Kenna's face remained serious.

"Do you have your skateboard with you?" she asked.

"Always," I replied, pointing to the backseat.

She crossed her arms over her chest, a mischievous grin appearing on her beautiful face.

"I want to watch you skateboard," she said.

"Right now? In a suit?"

She nodded, "You already have the proper footwear and everything!"

"There's a spot nearby I've wanted to check out," I shrugged.

"Let's do it," she said.

"If you insist," I grinned.

Kenna's genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for my passion made me feel valued in a way I had never experienced before.