When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(54)

Violet swings open the door before Kennedy has a chance to use her key. In a huff, my girl pushes past her best friend and heads to her room. Violet takes the shoulder bump in stride, a smirk on her face, and a high-five at the ready when I cross over the threshold.

“Kennedy, you’ve got to admit it was pretty funny,” Amanda shouts before she wraps her hands around my waist.

“Talk to Rico lately?” I kiss the top of her head.

“Shut up. Rico isn’t the marrying type.” She glares up at me.

“You looking to get hitched all of a sudden?” I glance at Violet for clarification. She shrugs her shoulders.

“No, but what’s the point in wasting time with someone if it’s not going anywhere?”

At that moment, Kennedy walks in the room in a fresh change of clothes. She comes to my side, a grimace directed at Violet.

“Oh, come on.” Violet rolls her eyes. “You seriously can’t be mad at me for this?”

“Where did you get all the packing peanuts, is what I want to know.” I step between them.

“That’s not the point.” Kennedy ushers me back to her side. “I can’t exactly wear a vibrator out in public now, can I?”

“Well …” Amanda chimes in.

My laughter warrants me a slap on the stomach.

Kennedy points her thumb between the two of us. “We are leaving.”

By the coattail, I’m dragged from the apartment. Before the door slams behind us, I throw the girls a wave and shout I’ll see them tomorrow at brunch.

“Central park or ice skating?” Kennedy smiles at me when she slides into her seat.

I pop the gear into drive, and set off to Rockefeller Center. Watching Kennedy ice skate for the first time was so adorable, I can’t miss an opportunity to get her into a pair of blades again. The space is crowded, but the attendants are quick to hand us our skates. I help Kennedy to her feet, holding her by the elbow, and get us on the ice in one piece. Her legs wobble as she tries to gain stability.

“For a dancer, you sure have no balance,” I joke, squeezing her hand in reassurance. “I won’t let you fall.”

“And if I do, you’ll catch me. I know.” She winks and turns her gaze forward to concentrate.

I’m not sure how many laps we do, but the growl of her stomach is louder than the laughter and glee of the children around us. I escort her off the ice, and without exchanging a single word, we set off to grab something to eat. In the car, Kennedy grins at me, and an overwhelming warmth settles in my chest. I brought that smile to her face. Small actions have created a morning of laughter and happiness for her.

We pull up in front of Serendipity III, and Kennedy’s head wrenches to look out the window, then at me. “We won’t be able to get in. We should have called for reservations.”

I jump out and circle the car to open her door. Holding my hand, she steps onto the sidewalk, and I lead her into the restaurant. She pulls on my sleeve to stop me, but I tell her it’s okay.

A familiar, middle-aged brunette is at the hostess stand.

“Hi, Rhonda,” I say, using her name tag to refresh my memory.

“Hi, Can I help you?” she says, her voice sweet, but leery of my intentions.

“Actually, you could. I’m hoping you can squeeze us into a lunch spot? I know you’re so busy, and I know it’s asking a lot, but my girlfriend has been dying to eat here since she moved to the city and hasn’t had a chance. I would really love for her first time to be with me.”

“I wish I could.” Rhonda’s eyes narrow on me. A soft gleam tells me she’s beginning to recognize me.

“You may know my grandmother, Eveline Black?” I throw out the name because it’s the only way we are getting into this place at this lunchtime.

“You’re Eveline’s grandson?” Her smile brightens. “Well, why didn’t you start with that?” She nods her head for us to follow her.

“What the hell did you just do?” Kennedy leans into me.

“I used my grandmother to get you lunch. I have no shame in admitting she has more pull than my killer smile and charm.”

Rhonda hands us menus and saunters back to the hostess station. Kennedy’s eyes bounce from side to side as she reads all her choices. “Well, it’s settled. I’m getting the peanut butter, frozen hot chocolate.” Her eyes are lit with excitement, and her smile is blinding.

“For lunch?”

She eagerly nods, and when Rhonda comes to take our order, she does exactly that. I roll my eyes, knowing she’ll be eating off my plate if she doesn’t get her own.

“I’ll have the chicken fettuccine, and she’ll have the …” I squint at her and she giggles. “You’ll want to eat if you plan on walking through Central Park.”

“I’ll have the chicken pot pie.” Kennedy looks to Rhonda, who smirks at our interaction.

Throughout lunch, our conversation never lags of interesting topics. Kennedy explains how her self-defense classes are going. They’ve built up her confidence along with her muscles. She no longer tries to hide. Now, Kennedy holds her ground and makes her presence known. The smile on her face is contagious as the conversation moves to dance.

“It may not be a formal dance group, and I know I’ll never perform Swan Lake with them, but it makes me feel alive.” She takes a sip of the peanut butter concoction.