Suspended by Taryn Elliott Page B

back.
    “Christ, don’t crack my spine. I still have to drive a
million miles.”
    “I wish you’d let me—”
    Shane stepped back and held up his hand. “We’ll be fine.”
    Kain sighed and nodded. “Stubborn ass. You just want to
road-trip with the hot girl.”
    “You got me.”
    Kendall looked up at him, that half grin making him want to
return the smile. It would be so easy to slide his arm across her shoulders and
drag her in. To stamp himself on her skin. Instead he looked back at his
friend.
    “I’ll let you know what happens when we make it to New
York.”
    “You’re welcome to come out during the holidays, Kain. My
mother would love to meet you.”
    Kain glanced at him, then back to Kendall. “I might do
that.”
    Would he still be there? Or would Kendall just like to see
Kain? Shane swallowed down the acid burning up his throat.
    Kain kissed the top of her head. “Aloha, `ânela. Be safe.”
    “Still not going to tell me what `ânela means?”
    Kain grinned. “Shane might bust my lip.”
    Kendall turned to him, then back to Kain. “Nah.”
    Oh, he would. He’d pulverize his face if Kain didn’t stop
touching her.
    “Now I have to go hijack the GPS. Shane doesn’t know it yet,
but we are going to be taking the scenic route.”
    His fingers loosened, and his chest tightened when she
wrapped her fingers around his pinkie. That was not on his agenda, but her huge
grin killed any reason to deny her. “Yosemite?”
    “Oh, yes. I want to see the mountains and all the colors.
I’m assuming you have color changes in California?”
    Shane started to reply, but Kain interrupted him. “Yes. It’s
gorgeous out there this time of year.”
    There were places he could show her. And if it stayed as
mild as it was today, he knew just where to take her. “We’ll take a few
detours.”
    She snagged her bag out of his hand. “I’m going to go look
at my California travel book.” She bounded forward and dragged Kain down for a
kiss on the cheek. “Make sure you come visit me.” She laid her hand on Shane’s
arm, squeezing lightly. “I’ll let you two talk for a few minutes.”
    Shane fingered the end of her messy braid. “Thanks.”
    He watched her hoist herself up into the truck.
    “You’re a dead man.”
    He turned back to Kain. “I’m afraid you’re right.”
    Kain’s eyebrows rose. “You have funny way of showing it.”
    “Why the hell do you think I took off?”
    “Yeah, I had a feeling. I have a soft spot for her, but it’s
not what you think, so you can stop orchestrating my death.”
    Shane’s lips twitched. “Caught that, did you?”
    “Subtlety has never been your strong suit.”
    Shane pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, I guess it
hasn’t.”
    “Just enjoy her and yourself. We have plenty of time to be
grown-ups, brother.”
    But what happened at the end of the trip? Would they have to
sell the bed-and-breakfast, or could she buy him out? When they needed to go
their separate ways, would he want to let her go?
    He had nothing but Avery Furniture to offer, and that was
fledgling at best. He needed the money from the sale of the property to give
his dream a shot at reality.
    Kain crossed his arms. “It’s a shitty time to make any
decisions. Just take things a day at a time.”
    Kain had always been the voice of reason when he and his
father butted heads. Why would now be any different? “I’ll be in touch.”
    “You better. Looks like I better sign up for frequent flier
miles.”
    “Marcus wouldn’t mind the change of pace.”
    Kain laughed. “I’m sure my pilot already has a honey
stationed in New York.”
    “A few.”
    “No doubt.” Kain’s face sobered. “Things won’t be the same
without you.”
    Shane held out his hand. “You’ll be taking over the world,
just like usual.”
    They clasped forearms. “I prefer to do it with you by my
side.”
    “I need to do this on my own.” He needed to find out if he
could do this on his own now more than