Slowburn

Chapter 71 (Renzo's POV)

        I wasn't expecting to see Kat at my brother's place, but just as I reached for the door it was already opening, and the smell of her shampoo wafted up to me. "Kat?" She looked a little off kilter and fidgeted when she rambled, "Oh hey, I was just on my way out" trying to walk around me. I stepped in the way. 

"Wait, what's up?" I was studying her because she isn't good at hiding her thoughts or feelings, but she darted her eyes around to avoid me. "Nothing much, I was helping Grace with picking out her engagement announcement cards, you know, the ones they mail out...but yeah, I'm done now, so" she gave me a half smile, still fidgeting with her hands. 

That's why Grace asked for her number. Makes sense. "I was heading inside for some grub" I let her know. Why did I feel the need to share that information? To invite her I guess. Though I shouldn't. This morning was a little awkward, and I know that's why she's acting like this right now. But I told her my intentions, so if she did wanna come eat with us what would be the harm?

        "I know, Rocco mentioned that you were coming," she nodded. Her hair was done in a loose messy braid with all these pieces hanging out and styling her face. It looked effortless like she just wanted it out of her way, but somehow it still looked good on her. She's always in little shorts since it's summertime, and all it ever does is showcase her bubble butt and makes me wanna bend her over and take it.

 Now that she has more clothes and shoes, since coming back with a second suitcase from Nola, she's been wearing all these different outfits. I don't know why I even fucking noticed that, but whatever. 

       "Ah, and you still didn't wanna wait and say hi, huh? Cold, Katarina" I fucked with her. She snorted and side stepped me to leave. Why the fuck is she running away from me? I don't like that. She turned to walk away and my tongue just quickly sputtered out, "You don't wanna stay and eat?" Shut up Renzo. 

She only paused for a beat before smiling and shrugged, "Thanks, but I have some things to do." She's lying. That didn't stop her from walking right off. I watched her little figure starting to blend in with the crowd. 

I hate that she walks everywhere or takes god awful buses. This city isn't safe. I should know, I make them that way. I would have offered her a ride if she wasn't already in the wind.

        When I got inside I saw a few regular customers and some to-go orders on the bartop. Grace and my brother were at a corner table lining the glass, and already both looking at me, clearly having just watched my exchange with Kat. 

"Is that why you wanted a meal with your brother? Kat was here and you were meddling again" I called him out. "Maybe. Too bad she ran at the mention of your name" he side eyed me to see if I would react. I tried not to. 

"Well, sit" Grace waved me to the empty chair Kat was probably just sitting in. 

"What'd you do to her?" Rocco asked me first thing. "Nothing" I sucked my teeth. I really didn't do shit. "Come on, I know it's something. Fess up" my brother wouldn't shut up about it. Eventually I was annoyed enough just to blurt it out. 

        "I fucked her after taking her home last night, and I agreed to sleep over because she gets all sad and weird when I leave right after. I shouldn't have though, because I put ideas in her head, and that'll only hurt her worse than me denying her sleepovers in the first place" It came tumbling out but they kept up. "Did something happen this morning?" Grace asked.

I huffed out a breath and picked up the menu, even though I know every fucking dish they sell here and don't need one. "She asked if I would ever consider dating or some dumb shit like that" I wouldn't look at them. I was reading the menu like it was a book.