What the Heart Sees

By Trish Edmisten

Being born blind, Ken has always lived a sheltered life, thanks to his overprotective mother and older sisters. If it wasn’t for his best friend, Stone, he’d never have any kind of freedom, let alone a life. Twenty-one years old and still living at home, Ken is ready to be independent. When he moves into his own apartment and meets his new neighbor, Cassandra, he knows he’s made the right decision. Ken wants Cassandra, and the feeling seems to be mutual, but he’s worried. Can she accept that he can be everything she needs, or will she let his blindness keep her from taking a chance?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trish Edmisten
• Release date: Oct 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463841365

Trish Edmisten

Author of YA and contemporary romance.

Book preview

What the Heart Sees

by

Trish Edmisten

Copyright © 2019 by Trish Edmisten

All rights reserved.

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

The author acknowledges all trademarks contained in this book.

Cover art provided by Blue Fire Graphics

Interior formatting provided by https://www.lkebookformatting.com/

Proofreading provided by Barb Payne-Ingram https://www.facebook.com/anothersetofeyes0214/

This book is dedicated to someone amazing. Who knows? Maybe it’s you.

Chapter One

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance; the five stages of grief and Ken had been through all of them since sitting down.

Flipping open his watch, he was stunned to realize he’d been there three hours. Three hours in which his date hadn’t bothered to check on him once, let alone spend any time with him. Well, beyond ordering his drink before darting off to the dance floor where he doubted she was alone.

Ken sighed.

Against his better judgment, he’d taken his sister’s advice and created the online dating profile. In said profile, he’d been upfront about his blindness, despite Elle’s warnings not to. Even if he wasn’t honest in the beginning, it wasn’t something he could keep a secret once he met someone in person.

Tammy had been the only person to respond to his ad. They’d spent a few weeks talking and getting to know each other before they’d decided to meet in person.

Ken had felt confident about letting her pick him up and even had no problem with her wanting to surprise him with where they went.

He should have known better.

Tammy had taken him to a nightclub. Despite his reservations, he hadn’t balked at going inside when she’d assured him she would take care of him. Apparently, taking care of him meant ditching him at the bar.

The music thumping at his skull the last few hours had given him a headache. Since he was too nervous to eat before the date, he was starving too. Neither of those things held a candle to his humiliation and defeat. The first chance he’d taken in years and it was a disaster.

Are you all right, honey?

Ken turned in the direction of the throaty voice close to his right ear. Are you talking to me?

Of course. Though she sounded amused, she didn’t laugh. You look like you could use some help.

I guess I could.

What do you need, handsome?

I’d appreciate it if you could help me outside so I can call for a ride.

Are you here alone?

There was concern in her voice, along with a touch of anger.

I came with a date, but she ditched me a few hours ago, and I don’t think she’s coming back.

What’s her name and what does she look like?

Why?

So I can kick her dumb ass of course.

That’s nice, but you don’t have to do that.

There was also the fact that he didn’t know for certain what Tammy looked like. He knew what she’d said, but after this, he doubted it was the truth.

Any woman dumb enough to ditch a sexy guy like you deserves to have her ass whipped, and I just so happen to have my ass kicking shoes on.

For the first time in the last three hours, Ken’s soul lightened and he laughed.

Wow, listen to that. Your laugh is as gorgeous as the rest of you.

Ken didn’t know if he was gorgeous or not. According to his sisters, he was a good-looking guy, but they were obligated to say that. All of them had described his appearance to him; tall, broad shoulders, reddish brown hair that had a little bit of waviness and green eyes.

None of that meant anything to Ken who’d been born blind.

Um, thanks.

Don’t mention it, honey. Now, give me your hand and let’s get the hell out of here so we can get a ride for you.

Ken’s sisters would probably read him the riot act if they found out he’d trusted a stranger, but he didn’t have a choice. He also didn’t think the mystery woman was interested in hurting him. Outrageous flirting aside, there was something comforting about her, almost familiar.

Getting to his feet, he unsnapped his cane. With a firm grip on his cane, he extended his free hand. The mystery woman took it and placed it on the back of her arm, just above the elbow. Instead of keeping her arm bent, as most people did, she let it rest comfortably at her side.

You’ve done this before?

Maybe, she said, and he heard a smile in her voice.

The woman easily maneuvered them through the crowd he could hear and feel. No doubt aided by the sweeping motions of his cane.

After they’d taken several steps, he was hit with a blast of cool air.

Okay, we’re outside now, honey. Did you want me to call someone for you?

Actually, do you think you could order an Uber for me?

You don’t want me to call one of your friends or maybe your roommate?

Ken chuckled. One of my sisters is my roommate, and I don’t want to explain this to her yet, her or my friends.

No, he wanted to go home and forget this night ever happened.

I get it, honey. You just leave everything to Athena.

That’s your name?

You know it, sexy.

Ken’s face heated, but he smiled. I’m Ken. It’s nice to meet you.

It’s even nicer to meet you. There was a long moment of silence between them before she said, Okay, Uber is ordered and on the way.

Thanks for your help.

You don’t have to thank me, but I hope you don’t think I’m going anywhere until your ride gets here.

Oh, you don’t have to do that. I don’t want to keep you from your date.

I’m just here with my girls, but they’ll understand.

Okay, then, thank you. I appreciate it.

Seriously, don’t worry about it. Now, tell me about this bitch you came with tonight.

Ken told her, not just about his date ditching him but how he’d come to be there. How he’d been single for so long because it was hard to meet people and even harder to deal with having four overprotective sisters. How most of his friends were coupling up and he was lonely and desperate enough to try online dating.

Despite the humiliation of the evening, he felt better getting it off his chest. Athena didn’t seem to judge him. Instead, she was more interested in getting her hands on ‘that bitch Tammy’ and teaching her a lesson.

It felt like only minutes had passed when he heard a car approach. Though he had asked her to call the ride for him, Ken was disappointed their time together was coming to an end.

Is one of you Ken?

I am, Ken confirmed to what he assumed was the driver.

Let me help you, honey. Taking his hand, she placed it on her elbow again and he followed when she took a few steps. Okay stop here and I’ll get the door.

Ken kept hold of her arm as she leaned forward. A moment later, he heard the sound of a car door opening.

You’re all set, sexy. Do you need some help inside?

That would be great.

Ken folded his cane closed and allowed her to guide him closer to the open door. Athena helped him avoid hitting his head when he ducked into the car. Once seated, he rested his cane in his lap and reached for the seat belt. Years of practice made it easy for him to click it into place without needing any help.

Thanks again, Athena, Ken said, sensing she was still beside the open door.

You’re welcome, honey. Ken got a whiff of perfume before a gentle kiss was pressed to his cheek. Pulling back, she said, You take care of yourself, and don’t get discouraged. The right girl is out there.

Ken’s face warmed. Thanks.

And you, driver. Athena’s voice was harsher. You’d better get him home safe, or I’ll find you and cut off your balls.

Um, sure, okay, no problem, lady.

Ken chuckled at the quivering in the guy’s voice.

Take care, Ken, Athena said and then the door was closed.

It wasn’t until the driver was pulling away from the club that Ken realized what an idiot he was for letting Athena get away without asking for her number. He contemplated having the guy turn back to see if she was still there before he realized something else.

Athena could have offered her phone number to him or asked for his and she hadn’t. She may have been willing to help a blind guy in need, and even flirt with him, but she didn’t want to date him.

Seemed that was the story of his life.

You’re really beautiful.

Cassandra had to force the smile at Thad’s compliment. She wasn’t a total bitch. If he’d actually spoken to her face instead of her breasts, she would have believed he meant it and maybe even appreciated the compliment.

Then again, maybe he was talking about her breasts. A lot of guys seemed to think being a curvy blonde meant she would sleep with them without them having to put in any effort. It sucked, but she couldn’t exactly fault Thad for falling into the category of just-like-every-other-guy-she’d-met.

Wait, his name was Thad right? Hell, maybe it was Chad or Brad. Okay, mental note, do not use the guy’s name.

Cassandra would have felt bad that she’d already forgotten his name, but she doubted that a) he would have cared and b) he actually knew her name. While he was likely thinking about the fastest way to get into her panties, she was wondering how fast she could get away without being obvious.

Just because the guy was a stereotypical frat boy douchebag didn’t mean she couldn’t be polite. Her grandma would tell her it was the least she could do. All she had to do was get through dinner. Then she would make an excuse about having to work early tomorrow, even though she didn’t work weekends, and then she was out of there.

This was the last time she let her best friend fix her up on a blind date. Mia was ridiculously happy with her husband, Ronnie, who had also been her high school sweetheart. She’d made it her mission to make sure every one of her girlfriends found their happily ever after. Mia didn’t seem to understand that guys like Ronnie were the unicorns of the guy world. Nice guys who were also good-looking and treated their women like queens.

Did Cassandra want that? Hell yeah she did, but she was not going to find it with guys like Chad or Thad or Brad or whatever his name was. Her date was the kind of guy who could belch the alphabet and still called every other guy bro. That wasn’t her making a mean assumption about the guy. He had flat out told her about his belching talent, which only improved when he was drunk. Something he seemed to be every weekend if his stories were to be believed. As for the bro thing, she’d heard it straight from the douche’s mouth when the waiter had come to take their order and he’d called the guy bro eleven times in the course of their five minute exchange. She knew it was eleven times because she’d counted.

I can’t wait to take you to the club when we’re done here, Thad said.

Though she still wasn’t sure what his name was, thinking of him as Thad was easier than calling him Thad/Brad/Chad. Of course, she could call him TBC. That brought a genuine smile to her face. Hang on a second, did he say…

The club?

Yeah, Thad said, giving her a wolfish grin that made her skin crawl. With a body like that, I’ll bet you can really move on the dance floor.

Actually, she could, but that wasn’t the point.

I’m gonna have the best looking girl in the place. All the guys in there will be wishing they were me.

Cassandra blanched. Not that TBC noticed since he was still busy leering at her. He was probably picturing them getting sweaty together in a crowded nightclub. Yeah, that was not happening.

It was time to abort this disaster of a date.

Excuse me a second, Cassandra said. I’ll be right back.

Instead of getting to his feet, TBC leaned further back in his chair. Sure thing, babe.

A shiver ran down her spine and not in a good way. Pet names had never been her thing. Pet names coming from a man who’d spent the night talking to her breasts while most likely imagining diving headfirst into them? If there was anything more disgusting, she had no idea what it was.

Mia would be lucky if they were still friends after this.

It took a lot of effort not to run to the bathroom. The only thing stopping her was the idea of him drooling over the way her ass bounced as she did. As it was, Cassandra swore she could feel his eyes on her.

Cassandra let out a sigh when she slipped into the bathroom.

Are you okay?

Cassandra started at the sound of the voice in front of her. Looking up, she realized she wasn’t alone. Two women, about her age, stood facing her, their backs to the mirror. One was a tall brunette with beautiful dark eyes and hair to match. The other was a shorter strawberry-blonde. She had no idea which of them had spoken.

Let me guess, bad date.

The observation came from the strawberry-blonde.

The worst, Cassandra agreed. Calling it bad is actually pretty generous.

Both women gave her sympathetic looks.

The guy can belch the alphabet, Cassandra continued, and their sympathy turned to horror.

The brunette groaned. Please tell me he didn’t demonstrate.

No, thank God, and that’s about the only thing he’s done right, Cassandra said. I don’t know what’s worse. That he’s spent the night talking to my boobs or that he wants to take me to the club so he can show me off to his bros.

Well, they’re nice boobs, the strawberry-blonde said, and the brunette elbowed her. What? They are nice.

Um, thank you? Cassandra said.

The strawberry-blonde smiled. You’re welcome. By the way, I’m Joss and this is Natalie.

I’m Cassandra.

And wasn’t the bathroom the weirdest place to meet people?

So, Cassandra, how did you end up with such a horrible date? Joss asked.

"Blind date set up by my best friend, maybe my ex best friend now. Cassandra grimaced, and they laughed. Don’t get me wrong. I love her, but I wish she would get over this idea that she needs to find me a man as great as hers."

Oh my God, I totally know how you feel. Joss inclined her head in Natalie’s direction. Nat’s the exact same way. Just because she and her man are stupidly in love, she thinks we all should be.

Excuse me, but you and Stone are just as bad, Natalie said.

How many times do I have to tell you? Stone is not my boyfriend, Joss insisted. We are friends with benefits, and that’s it.

"Yeah, well, you’ve been benefiting from that friendship for months," Natalie pointed out.

What can I say? Joss’s smile was sly. The man is rich and beautiful and he has a huge dick he knows how to use.

Cassandra choked on nothing. She’d never thought of herself as a prude, but she’d also never met a woman who proudly admitted she was only interested in a guy for sex and money. Not that Cassandra was going to judge what other people did with their lives. Besides, Cassandra seriously doubted Stone minded their arrangement. What guy would?

Natalie rolled her eyes. Because those are the top three things we should all look for in a man.

Exactly, Joss said, her smile growing wider. And even you have to admit that grad party he threw for us last month was epic.

It was pretty awesome, Natalie agreed.

Okay, back to your bad date. Joss looked at Cassandra again. You can’t do an emergency call. It’s way too obvious.

I seriously doubt TBC is smart enough to figure it out, Cassandra said.

Natalie furrowed her brow. The guy’s name is TBC?

Um, no, that’s what I call him in my head because I can’t remember if his name is Thad or Brad or Chad, Cassandra admitted, feeling a little sheepish.

Maybe she wasn’t being fair to the man. After all, she was the one who couldn’t even be bothered to remember his name.

A loud laugh burst from Joss. I love this girl, she told Natalie. Can we keep her?

How many times do I have to tell you people aren’t puppies? Natalie said with a good-natured smile.

I know, but she’s just so awesome, Joss said, and Cassandra smiled.

Joss’s lack of filter and pushiness was kind of endearing; at least in small doses.

Thanks, Cassandra said. I guess I’d better go back before TBC comes looking for me.

Hopefully, he got tired of waiting and left, Natalie said.

Cassandra doubted she would be that lucky. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise her if the guy was waiting outside the door.

If he is still here, there are a couple of strategies guaranteed to send him running for the hills, Joss said.

Cassandra frowned. Like what?

You can always start talking about your ex. How great he was and how much you miss him and want him back and that you can’t wait to tell him all about your date so he can get jealous.

Something tells me TBC will be proud of that.

If that doesn’t work, tell TBC your visions of your wedding, and by your wedding, I mean your wedding to him.

Cassandra was impressed. That’s amazing.

Oh, honey, there’s more. Joss’s grin was downright evil. After you describe your wedding in full detail, you need to tell him that you want to call your mom, your sister, your grandma, your pastor, and anyone else you can think of and tell them all about him.

And be sure you suggest you guys take a selfie before you do, Natalie added. Then let him see you make it your wallpaper.

Oh, good one. Joss nodded appreciatively. Then tell him you need a full body shot of him too so you can put the picture in your wedding planning app because it’ll help you decide what kind of tux he should wear. Nothing like a little premature wedding talk to send a guy running.

This is so awesome, Cassandra said. I don’t know how to thank you.

It’s no trouble, sweetie. Joss winked at her. "You