LITMIR.BIZ

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and she wanted it to stay that way. She decided that today’s “date” would be the last one, no matter how much Khalil affected her.

      “Lexia, there’s a guy outside asking for you,” Jayla said, poking her head in the office.

      Her gaze flew to the clock on the wall. He was twenty minutes early. Sighing inwardly, she came to her feet. “Thanks, Jayla. I’ll be out in a moment.”

      “Okay.” She disappeared.

      Lexia drew in a calming breath, rehearsed her I-can’t-see-you-again speech in her head and went out front. A relieved smile lit her face at the sight of Cameron standing outside the café. She stopped to give a meal order to Mr. Willis, then pushed through the doors. “Cam, I’m so glad to see you.”

      “Hey, Lexi.” She could hear the sadness and fatigue in his voice.

      “You want to come in and eat?”

      Cameron shook his head. “Too dirty.”

      She scanned him from head to toe. His hair was matted and littered with pieces of lint, the shirt and jeans looked like the same ones he’d had on when she saw him last and she suspected he hadn’t bathed since then, either. But beneath the dirt and grime was a good-looking man with a heart of gold. “How about we go sit on the bench outside and talk. I’ll bring you some breakfast.”

      He nodded and shuffled out the glass doors leading to the back parking lot.

      Lexia waited to make sure he was seated before going to get his food. She had to figure out a way to help him. A few minutes later, she joined him on the bench and handed him the to-go carton filled with scrambled eggs, potatoes with onions and peppers, bacon, sausage, two biscuits and a large cup of orange juice. He dived in like a starved man and her heart constricted. “How’ve you been? I was worried when you didn’t come by last month.”

      Cameron shrugged and continued eating. When he finished and set the carton aside, he sighed heavily. “Thanks, Lexi.” He stared out at a spot in the sky. “Jan is probably cussing me out from heaven over the mess I’ve made of my life.”

      Lexia laughed softly. “No doubt she is. But she’d also understand. Just like she was your world, you were hers.” She handed him the framed photograph he had asked her to keep.

      He ran his hands lovingly over the faces of Janice and their two daughters, five-year-old Lauren and one-year-old Sienna. “I miss them so much.” His voice cracked.

      She felt her own emotions rising and covered his hand with hers. “I know. So do I. But Jan would want you to go on.”

      He swiped at the tears coursing down his cheeks. “You’re right and I’ve been thinking on it.”

      It was the first time in over a year he had mentioned trying to reintegrate into society on his own. Every time Lexia had brought it up in the past, he’d change the subject or leave. “If there’s anything you need me to do, anything, just ask. Like I told you before, you’re welcome to stay in the back room of the café until you get on your feet.” She had added a bed months ago, hoping he would take her up on the offer.

      He stared off again. “Let me think about it, okay?”

      “Sure. You want to take a shower? I still have the clothes you asked me to keep.”

      Cameron looked down at himself. “I guess I don’t smell too good.”

      She chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”

      For the first time in almost two years, a slight smile appeared on his face. “I can always depend on you to tell me the truth.”

      “Always.” They stood and she embraced him. When she stepped back, her gaze locked with Khalil’s. He stood inside with his arms folded and a glare on his face. She glared right back.

      “Friend of yours?” Cameron asked.

      “Um...not really. He’s just someone who frequents the café.” She glanced over her shoulder. Khalil hadn’t moved from the spot and his expression remained the same. Here we go.

      * * *

      Khalil finished his meeting early and had hoped to spend the extra time with Lexia, but stopped short upon seeing her outside with a large, unkempt man. His protective nature kicked into high gear. He stood there watching for a good five minutes and, when she saw him, she sent a hostile look his way. She could glare all she wanted to, but he wasn’t moving until she came back inside. The man disappeared around the back of the building and Lexia entered through the glass doors and came toward him.

      “You should be careful of the company you keep,” Khalil said when she reached him.

      “The company I keep is just fine.” Lexia eyed him. “Present company excluded.”

      His brow lifted. “No need to get all upset. I’m just concerned about your safety. He could’ve been dangerous.” The huge man could have easily overpowered her.

      She placed a hand on her hip and scowled up at him. “Are you always so arrogant and judgmental?”

      He angled his head thoughtfully. He really had upset her. A small knot of people viewed their exchange curiously. Not wanting to draw any more attention, he gently steered her toward the café.

      She snatched her arm away. “What are you doing?”

      Khalil grasped her hand. “People are staring. Let’s go sit inside and you can tell me all about my arrogant and judgmental self.” He escorted her over to the same booth they’d sat in previously.

      Lexia sat across from him with her lips tightly pursed.

      Having her angry with him didn’t sit well. “I don’t consider myself to be arrogant and judgmental, and I apologize for upsetting you. Like I said, I was only concerned about your safety.”

      Some of the anger drained from her face. “I wasn’t in any danger. He’s a friend.”

      “What happened to him?”

      “He lost his wife and children in a car accident about a year and a half ago.”

      “Damn,” he whispered.

      “Right. So, before you go forming an opinion about someone, you should get all the facts first.”

      Khalil heard the censure in her voice. He had never been one to pass judgment on someone without even hearing his or her side and wondered why he had been so quick to jump to conclusions this time. “You’re right.” Her surprised expression prompted him to ask, “What? I don’t have a problem admitting when I’m wrong.”

      Lexia studied him a moment, as if searching for the truth. “I’m glad to hear it.”

      He smiled. “So, can we start our date now?”

      She shook her head and chuckled. “You don’t let up for a moment, do you?”

      “And risk some other guy snatching you up first? Nah.” He winked and signaled the hostess. Lexia rolled her eyes and he laughed.

      While eating a few minutes later, Lexia said, “I thought you didn’t come here often.”

      “I usually don’t, but I’m designing some specialized equipment for the gym and having it made and produced by my family’s company.”

      She frowned and broke off a small piece of coffee cake. “How does that fit with home safety?”

      Khalil smiled. “Since I started designing the equipment three years ago, they added a small extension to the company.” When a few of his personal clients mentioned the difficulties they had using some of the machines, he transformed a section of the gym to accommodate those who were in wheelchairs, had limbs amputated or other disabilities. The new equipment would have braille and he had just installed a section of flooring that had the same feel as a mat, but without the uneven surface for those with low vision or blindness. As he had told Lexia, he didn’t want

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