knit, confusion written all over his face. “You were waiting up for me?”
I shrug, unsure what the big deal is. “I was trying to.”
His lips pull up into a baffled half-smile. “I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone wait up for me other than my parents, and they only did that to yell at me.”
“Well, it’s late,” I explain with a shrug. “And then there’s this whole thing with this T guy … It makes me nervous when you’re by yourself.”
He holds my gaze, his lips quirking as he smooths his hand over the side of my head. “You know I wasn’t alone, right? I was with a couple of my friends. And I’m a big boy.”
I open my mouth to explain myself, realizing how idiotic I probably sound, but he leans forward and touches his lips to mine softly once, twice, three times.
“I like that you worry about me,” he says quietly, leaning back with a trace of a smile dancing in his eyes.
I nod, unable to speak, fearing my voice will come out all breathy like a girl swooning over some guy. And, yeah, I realize I’m doing that, but I’d rather keep it to myself for now.
Kai tucks another fallen strand of hair behind my ears, and my eyelashes flutter.
“You should get to bed,” he whispers, sounding more like that’s the last thing he wants me to do.
“Okay,” I say, not budging.
We stare at each other, and then he wets his lips with his tongue. I swallow nervously, my heart thudding inside my chest. Then the lights flip on, and the moment bursts and shatters as my eyes scream to adjust to the brightness.
“All right, you two. I hate to break up this little kissy-kissy moment, but I think it’s time for bed,” grandma Stephy says from the hallway.
My cheeks heat as I leap to my feet, and she grins knowingly at me.
Knowing more than likely she’s about to embarrass me, I don’t wait to hear what she has to say, rushing past her and calling out a good night over my shoulder.
Once I get into my room, I lock the door and flop down on the bed. Bringing my fingers to my lips, I smile as I replay Kai’s soft kisses. Three simple kisses, yet they were more magical than pixie dust, genie wishes, and fairy godmothers. I think Indigo might have been right all along. I have liked Kai—do like.
A lot.
Maybe more than I’ve ever liked anyone in my entire life, which means it’s definitely time to break things off with Kyler.
Chapter 5
Isabella
The next morning, Kai and I lounge around, watching zombie movies until my grandma leaves. Then we turn off the television to talk about the files on the computer. He tells me everything he read, but I only really start to flip out when I see some of the photos he took on his phone.
“ Lynn was a suspect?” I gape at Kai. “Lynn? As in Lynn Anders? My mom—stepmom?”
He nods, taking the phone from me. “Yeah. None of the files said why she was a suspect, and I’m not sure how much evidence they have against her or if that’s just a lawyer’s theory.” He takes my hands in his. “The good news is that they don’t have a lot of evidence on your mom: a few fingerprints and a shaky at best testimony from someone.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
My mind is spinning, along with my entire world. My mom is in jail for murdering my stepmother’s son. She might be innocent. My stepmom might be guilty. What does all this mean?
“Who gave the testimony?”
“I’m not sure if it ever said in the files.” He scrolls through his phone, a frown forming on his lips. “I don’t see anything on here about it …” He mulls over something then reaches for his computer. “Let me see if I can get back on the flash drive again.”
I rotate around, bringing my knee onto the cushion. “I thought you said it had a virus.”
“It did, but I just won’t use it on my computer.” He opens his laptop and taps the power button. “I may just have to break through another passcode to get back on, and if I do that, I can look at the files again.”
I