Hard Edge by Tess Oliver

time to absorb the news, and I—I just needed time.
    Caden’s truck pulled up out front just as I stepped outside. Just seeing him helped relieve some of the anxiety and guilt I’d been feeling. I was doing something completely out of character. Up until now, I’d always stayed on the straight and narrow, the right path, with all my decisions. But what use was the straight and narrow if it was leading me in the wrong direction?

Chapter 12
    Caden
    I didn’t notice the white band of skin on her ring finger until she reached forward to turn up the radio. I couldn’t remember the exact moment yesterday when I’d decided to ignore everything and kiss Kenna, but I hadn’t had one second of regret. I was sure she’d have changed her mind about the beach by now. All morning I’d expected a text telling me she wasn’t going after all and that the kiss had been a big mistake. But the text never came, and she seemed happy to be going. I had no idea what would happen next, but I was done trying to analyze things. I wanted Kenna. Plain and simple. If she wanted me back, then that would be the damn cherry on top.
    Kenna caught me staring at her newly naked finger. She pulled her hand away from the radio and sat back, sliding her hand beneath her thigh. “It had nothing to do with this trip, or you, or the kiss. Well, maybe the kiss. I don’t deal well with guilt.”
    I kept my eyes on the road, deciding this was a conversation that I was better off listening to than participating in. She was dealing with a lot, and I was just a little too good at saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
    She gazed out her passenger window at the other cars on the freeway. “It hadn’t been right with Jeremy for a long time. I broke up with him this morning.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “No, it’s a good thing.” She wiggled her thin shoulders. “I feel like I’ve been wearing my high school backpack crammed with textbooks for a whole year. Now that burden is gone. I’d gotten caught up in the glamour of living in New York, married to a high power lawyer and eventually becoming one myself. It was what I thought I wanted.” She relaxed back against the seat. “Until I realized it wasn’t what I wanted at all. It was success, but not the kind I was looking for. None of it was me.” She looked over at me. “Just so you don’t panic or freak out thinking I did it because of you. I didn’t.”
    I nodded. “Good to know.”
    “Not that you didn’t have a little part in it all, but really, I’ve been wanting out for a long time, long before I saw you again.”
    “Right. Got it.”
    Her small fist struck my shoulder.
    “Ouch. Not sure I deserved that.”
    “Yes, you did. You and your little succinct, ridiculously tactful replies.”
    “I’m trying to be a good listener.”
    “That’s very nice, but a little feedback would be appreciated. Did I do the right thing? Am I crazy and two-faced and flaky? Oh my gosh, I’m flaky. I never wanted to be flaky, and now I am. I’m a damn croissant.”
    I couldn’t hold back a smile.
    “And you’re laughing?”
    I shook my head. “It’s not a laugh unless there’s sound.”
    “Not true, what about when you laugh so hard and your breath is gone so nothing comes out anymore? And do you know the first thing that butthead did was to ask me for the damn ring back. I’m glad to be rid of it.” She stared down at the white band of skin around her finger. “It never suited me.”
    “I agree.”
    “So you don’t think I’m the type of girl who should wear diamonds?”
    “See. I knew I’d say the wrong thing. Should have stuck to my earlier plan.”
    “No, no you’re right.” She grew quiet.
    “Trinket, I didn’t even have to meet the guy or know about him asking for his ring back to know he didn’t deserve you. That’s because I can’t imagine any guy out there good enough to deserve you.”
    Kenna shifted slightly sideways in her seat. “Caden Stratton, you are still a first