Kate was unprepared for the cascade of emotions that washed through her at this pronouncement. Her heart was a sudden battlefield. The desire to pummel her fists against his chest warred with the desire to throw herself into his arms. He was saying and doing all the things she had wanted someone to say and do almost her whole life. And yet, now that someone was, she felt he had to be some sort of fake, a crackpot. The world was full of them.
Hot tears filled her eyes. She fought them back as a tide of anger followed. “Who the hell are you?” she spat. “What do you want from me? You show up here out of nowhere, telling me I need to learn manners. Is this some kind of psychotic hobby? The last thing I need is some jerk-off screwing with my head.”
She waited for his response, certain her har
