“I guess so.”

Next to her, Eli tensed and then slid out of the booth. “I think I’m going to order something to eat as well. I’d better go find the waitress. Do you guys want anything else?”

Kay shook her head then said, “Well, maybe some coffee.”

Danny looked up. “Coffee sounds perfect. I’ll have one, too.”

Although he’d offered, Eli looked like he was chewing nails as he asked, “Sugar or creamer?”

“No, I don’t take anything in it.”

“Interesting. I would have pegged you as a low-fat, half-caf, soy-only guy.” Eli walked off and left them all staring after him.

After a few awkward moments, Kay finally said, “I am so sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.” Danny leaned forward, his eyes amused. “I’m not the easily offended type.”

“I can tell.” In his place, she doubted she would be so calm. He’d been invited here to meet her and Eli had been treating him with disdain the entire time. His laid-back nature was definitely attractive. She smiled at him. “You should definitely come and watch me record something. It’ll be fun.”

“I would love to. But are you sure your boyfriend won’t mind?”

“He’s not her boyfriend. He’s her bodyguard.” Ridley gave Kay a sympathetic look. “Singers have weirdo fans sometimes. He’s just here as a precaution.”

Kay sighed. “He’s just a little overprotective. We’re friends. He doesn’t want me to get hurt. That’s all.”

A coffee cup clattered on the table in front of her. Eli set down the second one in front of Danny, spilling a few drops over the edge. “We’re not exactly friends. Friends don’t normally see each other naked.”

Everyone at the table stopped moving and the diners at the next table looked over. Kay sucked in a shocked breath as heat flooded her cheeks.

Finally Danny stood and asked the closest waitress, “Where’s the bathroom?”

After he was gone, Kay turned to Eli and punched him as hard as she could in the arm. “Ow, damn it.” She held her sore hand close to her chest. She was raging mad, and now she couldn’t even concentrate on her anger because she’d almost broken her hand on Eli’s freakishly big biceps.

“Let me see it.” Eli tugged until she allowed him to examine her hand, spreading the fingers and then closing them back into a fist. “Don’t do that again, you could seriously hurt yourself.”

“Ugh, you are awful. Let me out.”

Eli moved out of the booth. “Where are you going?”

Kay turned to Mara. “I am so sorry. Please tell your friend it was great meeting him.”

Then she ran out of the restaurant.

ELI GLANCED OVER at Kay, who was silently glaring out the window as he drove them home. The tension in the air was a tangible force. He gripped the steering wheel, the memory of how he’d behaved eating away at him. He hated it when she was mad at him. Something about it just tugged at his conscience. She was softhearted, so he knew if he apologized she wouldn’t hold a grudge.

But he just couldn’t do it. He couldn’t pretend he was sorry for something he knew he’d do all over again in a heartbeat.

As soon as they pulled into his parents’ driveway, Kay had her seatbelt off and was halfway out of the car. Eli trailed behind, waiting on the sidewalk while she rang the bell. His mother gave him a curious glance when she opened the door. He shook his head slightly so she wouldn’t ask any questions. His best bet was to get Kay in private before she blew up at him.

“Thank you again, Mrs. Alexander. I really appreciate it.” Kay carried Hope’s car seat in one hand and the diaper bag in the other.

Eli reached out to take the diaper bag from her and was left hanging as she brushed past him angrily. His mom narrowed her eyes. Eli waved and rushed back to his truck. He was already due for a tongue-lashing from one irate female tonight; he didn’t need to add to the pain.

As soon as they got back to Kay’s apartment, Eli keyed in the security code and quickly looked around. Kay continued ignoring him as she unhooked the baby from the car seat and took her to the bathroom. There was the distinct rush of water hitting the porcelain of the bathtub, and then came Hope’s happy squeals and the sound of splashing.

Eli smiled at the sound before he sat down in the living room to wait for the inevitable fight. The couch was obviously older, but it was comfortable. That described most of the apartment, actually. Kay seemed to favor warm, muted colors and soft textures. There were also books everywhere. He leaned closer to read the spine of the book on the coffee table. You Get So Alone At Times That It Just Makes Sense by Charles Bukowski. He picked it up and started reading.

He hadn’t realized it was quiet again until Kay emerged, wearing a clean T-shirt and soft lounge pants. She didn’t look at him.

“Are you still not talking to me?”

He let out a sigh when she ignored his question and sank down on the couch. “You have scary taste in books. I literally have no idea what this one is about.”

Her head whipped around. When she saw the book he was holding, her lips tightened. Then she turned her head in the other direction again.

Eli closed the book and set it back on the coffee table where he’d found it. “You can’t ignore me forever.”

“Oh yes I can,” she muttered.

“I’m sorry, okay. I was rude and I apologize.” He had to force the words out, but Eli figured it was a small price to pay. This tense silence was painful.