Kye's Heart by Marisa Chenery Page A

folded up against the wall when not in use. And lucky for him, Nevaeh was only wet this time.
    That chore done, he pulled his cell phone out of his front jeans pocket and saw he’d have just enough time to get to the café to meet Michaela. He put it away as he headed in the direction of the small restaurant.
    He walked through the entrance, stopping just inside the door, and searched for Michaela. Spotting her, Kye headed to the table where she sat. Just before he reached her, a woman approached his mate.
    “Michaela? Michaela Jones, is that you?” she asked rather loudly.
    Kye came to a standstill. Michaela looked none too thrilled to see the other female. In fact, from the slight change in his mate’s scent, she was a little leery of her, even though she had a smile on her face.
    “Yes, I’m Michaela Jones.”
    “I thought it was you. It’s been years since the last time I saw you. I think it was in high school. Do you remember me? I’m Katy Adams.”
    Michaela’s smile shifted partway into a grimace. “Of course I remember you.” Then under her breath, she said sarcastically, “How could I not.” The other woman didn’t seem to hear it.
    Seeing the expression on his mate’s face, and hearing her hushed words, it didn’t take Kye long to figure out Michaela hadn’t gotten along with this Katy during high school.
    Deciding Michaela needed some rescuing, Kye crossed the rest of the distance to her table, and interrupting what Katy had been about to say, he kissed the top of his would-be mate’s head. “Hi, honey. I brought someone who missed her mama.” He took Nevaeh out of the baby sling and put her in Michaela’s arms. He then pulled a chair next to hers, placing his arm around her shoulders.
    Katy’s jaw dropped as she openly stared at him. “Ah, hi,” she said.
    “Hi,” he replied. “I couldn’t help overhearing that you’re one of the people my wife knew in high school.”
    “ You’re Michaela’s husband?” From her tone, he got the impression Katy didn’t think it was possible.
    “Yes. My name is Kye. And this,” he nodded toward the baby, “is our daughter, Nevaeh.”
    Katy’s gaze went from him to Michaela and back again, as if she couldn’t quite believe he would be with his mate. “Oh, ah, nice to meet you both.” She then focused on Michaela. “So you work here at the zoo?”
    Michaela nodded. “Yes. I’m an animal keeper. Last I heard, you had gone away to college.”
    “I see. And I did. I’m only back to visit my sister and her brats.” Katy motioned to a table behind her that had a stressed-out looking woman who shared a family resemblance, and had three young boys sitting with her who argued noisily.
    “Well, I shouldn’t hold you up then,” Michaela said. “I’m on my lunch break and I’d like to spend some time with Kye and Nevaeh before it’s over.”
    “Sure. Hey, I’m going to be here for a few days, how about the three of us go out for dinner tonight? We could catch up on old times, Michaela. That is, if you can get a sitter.”
    Thinking a dinner out with Katy to be the perfect time to knock her down a peg or two, before Michaela could answer, Kye quickly said, “We’d love to.”
    Michaela reached under the table and dug her nails into his thigh. He pried her hand off his leg and clasped it in his. She turned her head and gave him a stern look.
    “Didn’t we already have plans to go out to dinner? Just the two of us?” she asked.
    “Then you do have a sitter already,” Katy interjected. “That’s perfect. I can just tag along. It’ll be my treat, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
    “See, hon,” Kye said, “Katy is willing to pay and everything. How can we refuse her generous offer?”
    Katy’s laugh sounded phony. “Then it’s decided. How about we meet at The Cliff House restaurant? Say around seven-thirty?”
    “We’ll be there,” he answered.
    “Great. See you then.” Katy paused, then looked him up and down.