My Number One: Kasha & Knox Read Online Free PDF

waist as the hostess led us to the side of a small outdoor stage. I pressed my face to his side just enough that he couldn’t recognize the tears that had formed in my eyes. “Yeah, friend, just friend.”
    ~

Six Months Later
     

Knox
    ~
     
    Outside of the moment I’d met Kasha, I started to feel alone in her presence. We were two entities that were ready to converge a long time ago. Looking back now, I know what the problem was: Neither of us were brave enough to give into the path life had drawn out for us. When I was supposed to be living in the moment, I chose to exist in a shaded bubble to avoid drifting or, in the case of her, falling in love. As if that would stop Kasha from falling prey either. I was too terrified to reject her fears. She was too scared to accept my cares.
    “Someday I’ll find Mr. Right,” Kasha blew out as she walked alongside me. She closed her eyes, pulled in a mouthful of air and held tightly onto my upper arm. If she was paying attention, she would’ve noticed the veins pulsating almost instantly.
    “Someday, Kash,” I mumbled with obvious resolve. After snaking my arm around her midsection, I blew at flyaway strands of hair. “Maybe Mr. Right will find you, Kasha Davies.”
    “I don’t know when I’ll be ready for anything like that, but I know the time will come.” She smiled. Her head nestled against my chest. We walked along. To anyone else, Kasha and I could’ve been mistaken for lovers. To everyone else, we carried an aura of love. We lived as one. We loved as one. And still fought the inevitable as a unit determined to implode.
    ~
    After spending several hours out with Kasha, just walking and talking about nothing in particular, I found myself two hours away in New York City. My network of extended associates ran along the East Coast, with sparks of people reaching various locations. This was all courtesy of Rory and our renovation services.
    The brick building was short of spectacular, if not for the noise and eager patrons trailing through. Everyone mingled, many flirted and just about each person got filled within the moment. I sat at the bar, nursing a stiff drink that had way too much ice. I was much too standoffish for this crowd, and distant to the umpteenth power.
    I cared very little of what others thought about my inability to mingle just for the sake of mingling. The only person I believed was worthy of judging me was the one that had walked in my damn shoes. And anyone else could shut the hell up and take a seat in the far left corner.
    “You’re the man,” one of Rory’s local buddies slurred. The guy was acting a plumb fool off of less than two drinks, and the punk was ready to pass out.
    “Nah man, all you,” I answered, hoping he’d get the hell out of my face. These public socials were too social for me. Rory knew to tie these things into business if he wanted to tempt me out of little old, laid-back Delaware. Very little would get me outside of the tiny state that people joked about: Dela- where ? My back expanded before I pressed elbows against the wooden top, and I lowered my head into my palms. When I looked up, the jackass was still standing there, and immediately began running off at the mouth. I didn’t give a shit about what the dude was saying, I just wanted to be left the hell alone.
    “Man . . .” This time the guy extended an arm to pat on my back. I dipped to the side and shifted away, even prepared to stand. The guy was oblivious, while his words got lost in a slew of rushed sounds.
    What the hell? I squinted from the side as he mouthed. All the while, drive time and all, I couldn’t fathom what had prompted Rory to drag me up here. Now we were at a random bar in the city, supposedly toasting and celebrating over another purchase; one I had yet to view. The owners allegedly needed quick cash, so Rory made things happen. Rory, Bash and I had acquired so many homes that we needed to hire men. This new set, however, only annoyed the