Page 14 of Undeniably Unexpected (Boston’s Irresistible Billionaires #6)

I get home in a weird panic. I don’t know what possessed me to nearly invite Loomis along with me on my trip, but I’m so relieved nothing came of it.

Could you imagine? That would have been the worst idea ever.

I need this time for me, to figure out my next steps and hopefully get some writing in.

Plus, let’s not lie here, I had a crush on him not that long ago.

Alden: I miss you. I can’t stop thinking about you. Please tell me you’re seriously considering forgiving my massive fuckup and taking me back.

“Argh. No more men! Get out of my head and my heart. All of you.”

I don’t bother texting him back. I can’t. I won’t be that girl.

What would I be gaining? I understand panic.

I understand things moving too far too fast. But he had a week after me telling him I love him to wrap that around his head, and he ended it.

It was only when he realized I was truly gone that he started having second thoughts, and maybe that’s enough for some.

Maybe I should listen to that and understand.

But right now I can’t.

I could see myself going back to Alden. I loved him, or at least I thought I did.

He’s a great guy and isn’t after my money or name, and his parents are besties with mine.

It’s a match. That’s what we make in my world.

But I don’t want to be the girl who jumps back and takes what’s offered to her only to regret it later.

That’s why I need to get out of here.

With that, I call my uncle Kaplan, who picks up on the third ring.

“Hey, Keegan. Everything okay?” he asks because I think I can count the number of times I’ve called him on two hands, and most of those were to thank him for presents when I was a kid.

“Hey! Yes.” I laugh at how crazy my voice sounds and clear it to get myself back under control. “Do you still have your house outside of Key West?”

He pauses for a minute. “You mean the island cottage? Yes, we still own it, though we haven’t been there in about a year or so. Why do you ask?”

I start to pace around my room. “Could I stay there?”

“You want to stay there? Alone?”

I pause and stare at my reflection in my full-length mirror. Am I doing this? Alone. I smile at myself. “If I could. I wouldn’t make a mess or anything, and I’d likely only need it for a week or so.”

He chuckles. “Keegan, it’s yours for however long you want it.

I was just surprised you’d go alone. It is an island, though, so be aware of that.

It can feel isolating. Still, I’m glad it’ll get some use.

I’ll text you the information for the housekeepers, and I’ll let them know when you’re coming.

They’ll make sure it’s stocked with anything you want.

There’s also a boat docked there you’ll need to get to the mainland. It’s an easy ride, though.”

I sigh, my tense muscles relaxing. That sounds amazing. The seclusion and peace and quiet of it. “Thank you so much, Uncle Kap. You’re the best.”

“Absolutely. Is everything okay?” he questions. “It’s not like you to, well, I hate to say run away, but that’s what it sounds like you’re doing. At the very least, I can’t remember you ever taking time off.”

Because I haven’t. Not ever. “I broke my hand and wrist the other night, and I can’t work for at least four weeks. I thought some sun and vitamin D would be good for me.”

“Ah. I get it. Do your parents know you’re going?”

I roll my eyes, ever the child no matter how old I am. “My mom is the one who mentioned your cottage.”

“Cool, because we’re having dinner with them tonight and I didn’t want to be an asshole and tell them something they didn’t already know.”

I smile. “I get it. I’ll call them when we hang up and let them know I’m definitely going.”

“Good stuff. Let me know if you need anything while you’re there. And Keegan?”

“Yeah?”

“You can stay the entire month or even longer if you need to. Like I said, the place is yours.”

I do a silent little happy dance in the mirror. “Thank you. That really means a lot.”

We disconnect the call, and just as I go to call my parents, my phone rings in my hand. Tinsley. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Have you been online or turned on the news?” she asks quickly, her tone rushed and her voice hyper.

“Uh, no. Why?”

“Jesus, Keegs. Some asshole in the press must have figured out where Loomis has been staying and started following him. There are pictures of the other night in front of the café where you’re with Loomis, and then I showed up with Fen.”

“Oh, fuck.” My jaw drops, and I collapse to the edge of the bed, only to miss it and hit the floor with a heavy, painful thud. Ouch .

“What was that?”

“My ass hitting wood. I um. I don’t even know what to say.”

“It gets worse. There are pictures from today of the two of you together at the playground. Him touching your face and the two of you playing with Fen.”

“How is that possible? I didn’t see anyone.”

“Don’t know, but they’re reporting you’re a couple.”

I gulp, feeling winded. My knees drag up to my chest, and I hold my phone tighter to my ear as a wave of panic hits me. “That means…”

“They know about Fenric too. Yes.”

My face meets my knees, and I blow out a tremulous breath. Loomis must be going crazy. He’s done everything he can to keep Fen hidden from the press, and now it gets out like this.

“God, Tins. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. None of us saw the guy. They’re now camped outside of Loomis’s place.”

“Shit, that’s awful. What’s he gonna do?”

“He’s been on the phone with his people, including his lawyers, all afternoon.

But it’s everywhere, Keegs. That means it’ll be everywhere for you too.

They think you’re a couple. And I have to admit, those pictures looked cozy.

He denied it and said you’re only friends, but I know you had a thing for him once, and you’re one of my best friends, and I’ve known you my entire life, so cut it straight with me. ”

“Nothing is going on,” I assure her. “We’re just friends. Hell, I was talking to him about Alden. I’m planning to leave for my uncle Kaplan’s cottage off Key West tomorrow. It’s not like that with us.”

My phone is silent to the point where I have to pull it away and check that she’s still there. “Can you get to my place?”

“What? Now?” I squeak.

“Yes, now. Do you think you can do that? You know how we do this, and this is big. Loomis is my people, and you’re my people.”

“Fine. We’ll come.”

“Awesome.”

She hangs up, and that’s that. I have a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling. Way beyond what’s already going on with Loomis and I guess me now as well.

“Kenna!”

“Wha?!” she yells back. She’s in the kitchen, and I can hear her making our salmon and cauliflower rice on the stove.

“Shit’s going down. We’ve got to go to Tinsley’s.”

“Fuck,” she grumbles. “Cheat night?”

“Total cheat night. Save that salmon for tomorrow. We’ve been good all week.”

“OH! I’m ordering from Albertino’s.”

I nearly orgasm on the spot. “YES! You know what I like.”

“Oh baby, do I ever. I’ll give it to you real sweet.”

“This is why I love you.”

“Back atcha.” She pops her head in my room. “Why are you sitting on the floor?”

“Do me a favor? Look out my window and tell me what the sidewalk looks like?”

Her lips tilt down as she crosses my room and splits the blinds so she can peek down four stories. “Oh, girl. What in the Fritz have you gone and done?”

I sigh. I had a feeling that if they were outside Loomis’s place, they’d be outside ours as well.

“Keegan Hannah, you better dish it like pie.”

I drag myself up and off the floor. Then I launch into an account of everything that’s transpired over the last few days. Well, everything I haven’t already told her.

“Keegs…” Her voice trails off, but I know what she’s going to say.

“I know.”

“You invited him to Key West?!”

“I didn’t mean to. It just slipped out. I told him I wasn’t serious, and we both let it go.”

“Then why are you even telling me that like it’s an important part of this story?” Her eyes round with sudden recognition. “Oh, babe, no. You’re over him, which is awesome, but if he comes with you…”

“I know,” I repeat, throwing her a glance over my shoulder as I get out of the pajamas I had changed into when I got home from the park. “I know I can’t. Moreover, I know I shouldn’t.”

“But you’re going to anyway,” she states knowingly, her expression solemn.

“I don’t know.”

She pulls her hair back from her shoulders and holds it up in a makeshift ponytail as she studies me.

“I feel for Loomis and his son. I really do because I can’t imagine what he’s going through.

I don’t mean to sound insensitive to that because I’m not.

But you’re going to Key West to get your head and heart back together, not to let another man have access to them. ”

“I won’t!” I squawk affronted.

“Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.”

“I’m not.”

“You just yelled at me.”

She’s right. I did.

She comes over and stands beside me as I change, her green eyes on mine. “We share DNA. Do not lie to me. Just tell me where your head and, more importantly, your heart are.”

“If I do this, it’s with me going in knowing the risks and planning accordingly. I don’t have feelings for Loomis anymore.”

She gives me a don’t fucking lie to your twin look to back up her warning.

“What? I don’t. I’m getting over Alden, and the last thing I need is to get attached to yet another man who doesn’t want me. I’m over it and him.”

“You mean that?” The worry in her tone is unmistakable.

“Think of what Loomis and Fenric are going through. What they’re facing. Especially if they stay here. He’s a baby, Kenna.”

She holds my shoulder. “I know, and I understand why you’d want to do this. I’m sure I’d offer the same thing, and he has every reason to say yes to it. I get it from both sides. I do. But I worry about your big, beautiful heart.”

“He seems… I don’t know, scared , I guess. Like scared they’ll take his son from him. It feels personal, and I know he didn’t have the best childhood.”

She frowns. “That’s awful, but I don’t see why they would.”

“Me neither, but maybe we’re missing something.”

“Maybe,” she says pensively.

“Tinsley is going to ask me to take Loomis and Fen with me to Florida. I know she is. If he wants to join me, how can I say no? Truly, tell me how I can and be able to live with myself. It’s the perfect place to hide out.

Uncle Kap said it’s on an island, and the only way to get to it is by boat.

It’s secluded, and no one will know we’re there.

If they do figure it out, they’ll have a hell of a time getting close to the house. ”

“It’s perfect for you, and it’s perfect for him. And while I don’t want anything bad to happen to Loomis and certainly not to his poor son, who’s already been through enough, I’m worried about you .”

“I’m getting over Alden?—”

She coughs the word “rebound” and I roll my eyes at her.

“Loomis isn’t attracted to me, and I’m over him. We’ve more than established that. I’m not looking to get my heart broken again. Plus, I haven’t felt anything when I’ve hung out with him.”

That’s like seventy-two percent true. I mean, obviously I still think he’s hot, because he is.

He’s a famous movie star, so it’s not like I’m alone in thinking that.

And yes, he’s fun and quick-witted and kind and a good father.

But so is our friend Mason, who is a famous NFL quarterback, and I don’t feel anything for him.

Fine, my belly might swoop and flutter a bit, but any feelings I had for him are long since dead, and that’s how they’ll stay. I’m not that Keegan anymore. I won’t be that Keegan.

“You seem settled on this.”

Am I? Didn’t I just say that bringing him along with me would be a disaster? I did, right? Before I called Kaplan, I was relieved Loomis wasn’t joining me. Maybe Kenna is right. Maybe I shouldn’t do this.

Then I think about what he said to me. How he could use a friend and offered to be mine. How he stepped in with Alden to protect and help me. How he entrusted me with Fenric when he’s barely told anyone.

I puff out a breath as I run a brush through my hair and give my eyelashes a fresh swipe of mascara. “I’ll wait and see what he says. I won’t just offer it unless it comes up.”

“Just protect yourself. That’s all I’m going to say.”

“He might not even want to come with me.”

She gives me a don’t bullshit a bullshitter look complete with folded arms and cocked hip. “If his place is half as surrounded as ours, you know he will. What about your writing?”

That’s kind of a sticky issue because I don’t see how I’ll be able to work on it without him finding out. I shrug. It’s all I can do. “I’ll take that as it comes.”

“My love, sometimes your heart is too big.”

“Hey! You encouraged me to take chances and live a little.”

“Not at your own personal risk.” She walks over to me and kisses my forehead. “Protect your heart and don’t give it to the movie star who has too much baggage and a history of never getting serious with any woman.”

“I won’t,” I promise her, already decided on that. No matter what.