“Hey. How did it go last night?”
I jerked and shoved a hand to my chest, as if to hold my heart from dropping to the floor. I turned to Kayla standing by my bedroom doorway.
“You scared me. Make some noise, would ya?”
Kayla smirked, wicked and playful, and so satisfied. “Judging by how you didn’t hear the keys in the lock, and the way you’re engrossed in typing, I’d say you had a wonderful night. You’re welcome that I left early so you could have the hottie to yourself.”
I glared at her, but then softened my expression. “You’re right.”
Kayla squealed and plopped on my bed. “Well, give me info. What did you guys do?”
I told her how he helped me clean up, and how we had a little soap and water fight before watching the movie together. I even told her the cuteness of how our knees and elbows touched.
I dropped on the bed next to her, our bodies side by side, backs on the mattress.
“How did this happen?” I said softly. “I mean… I wasn’t looking.”
“The best kind,” Kayla said, her neck craned to the side to face me.
I gave her a light punch. “Well, technically, you made it happen.”
She shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I didn’t make him come over. He came over on his own. I just gave it a little push. And you know what? I bet he saw you peeking out and must have thought you were a hottie.”
I slapped my forehead. “Oh, God. He saw me? You think he saw me?” I paused for a moment. “No, he didn’t. He couldn’t have. I was careful.”
Kayla shrugged. “He must have seen you sometime, or why would he come over and bring cake of all things?”
“Maybe. Anyway, we have a date this Wednesday. His place, and he’s going to cook dinner.”
Kayla jolted up in a sitting position. “Holy cow, no way. Did you guys kiss?”
I sat up, our crossed legs facing each other. “No. Not on… This wasn’t a date.”
“Well, he certainly did something right. You were typing away.”
I giggled. Oh, shit. I actually giggled like a schoolgirl with a crush. “I don’t know. He made me feel something special. I can’t explain it. It’s been a while, you know.”
Kayla wrapped her arounds arm me and softened her tone to a somber one. “Yeah, I know. See, things will be fine. You deserve happiness. You can’t stop living because of your brother.”
“I know. I just needed time. Something Brad wouldn’t give me.” I sighed.
“Well, he’s an asshole to let someone as precious as you go. He doesn’t deserve you. It’s a good thing you found out how he deals with intense situations.”
I released from Kayla and wiped a little tear I’d tried desperately to keep at bay.
“So what’s your story?” I asked. “You’re here kind of early.”
“Greg and I had a fight.”
“I’m so sorry. What happened?”
“He came home very late and drunk. Honestly, I’m not sure if we’re going to last. I want someone a little less selfish.” She released a long breath. “He asked me to come over, but he didn’t bother to call to let me know he would be home at like four in the morning. I was so freakin’ worried about him. I called his cell phone and he didn’t answer. I stayed up all night.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I never told you, but this wasn’t the first time. We’ve been fighting a lot lately. I’m on the verge of calling it quits. I can’t take it anymore. I’m like his mother. We’re supposed to be on equal levels.”
I had no words to guide her, so I caressed her arm. “Let me know when you decide. I’m here for you.”
She grabbed my hand. “Thanks, as I am here for you, too. Anyway, let’s go out to lunch. Did you eat? Are you hungry?”
“Sure, I can eat.”
“Let me get my jacket. It’s cooler out today.”
When Kayla left, I gathered my things.
“Where shall we—” I froze when Kayla stopped in front of the opened front door.
“What are you looking at?” I asked, and peered in the direction she was staring.
“Whoever he is, damn, he looks fine. He can cuff my hands and take me to his prison. Wait … Is that Theo?” she asked in a hushed voice.
The man walking across the condo parking lot, his wide shoulders and toned body filling the cop uniform beautifully, was Theo. My heart dropped. No, not just dropped. It splattered all over the concrete the way it did when I found out my brother, who was also a cop, had died on duty.
There had been a robbery in downtown Los Angeles at a local liquor store. The theft involved two accomplices dressed as women. One of them shot my brother.
“Oh, shit. It’s okay.” Kayla spun and tugged me back inside.
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t form words. This…this was not happening.
“Did we ask him what his job was?” I asked, staring at the painting of a landscape on the wall.
“I don’t recall, but I guess we didn’t, or else I wouldn’t have left.”
Somehow, I found myself sitting on the sofa. “I can’t do this, Kayla. I can’t do this again. It’s only been a couple of years since…” I shoved my palms to my face. I wanted to cry, but no tears came.
“Hey…” She rubbed my back. “Just because your brother got shot doesn’t mean Theo will. And I have no right to make a comment like that, but—”
“It’s not fair. I’m finally ready to move on and he turns out to be a cop. Of all the professions. I wouldn’t have anything against it, but Sam was a cop, and look what happened to him. We’re not even dating and look at me. I’m a mess. Now I’m going to wonder if he’s safe every day, whether we date or not. I’m sorry, Kayla. I don’t mean to be like this.”
“It’s okay.” She continued to rub my back. “It’s hard. I’ve never been in your shoes before, but I get it. I really do. Maybe you should stay away from him for a while.”
I finally looked up. “I’m going to have to tell him. We have a date on Wednesday.”
“Well, it’s not like you’re breaking up with him. You’re not together. He’ll understand and move on.”
Her tone did not sound convincing, and a piece of me that had already warmed up to him told me I was a complete idiot.
She sighed. “Does this mean you’ll have writer’s block again? Damn, I wanted to read your steamy novel inspired by Theo.”
I snorted. Kayla always knew how to make me laugh.