Page 4 of Return to Me Always

"Sure." He sat down across from me. "I'm Malcolm by the way."

"Right, right. Malcolm, I'm Kat," I said, smiling.

"Lovely to meet you, Kat." His face took on an easy smile. "I take it you're American then."

Blowing on my hot chocolate, I sipped it with caution. "Yep, can't hide my accent, I guess." I really hoped British people didn't hate us right now.

He laughed. "I find the accent charming."

"Thanks." That had been a really sweet thing to say, and I started to relax.

"Where in America are you from?" he asked.

"I'm from Phoenix, Arizona," I said, unsure if people here would really know where that was.

"Ah, in the desert, right?"

I nodded, impressed by his knowledge.

"I've never been there," he said, "but I've been to Southern California several times."

"It's pretty similar. Just a whole lot more cacti in Phoenix," I joked. "What about you? Are you from London?"

"I am. Lived here my whole life." He nodded, and I couldn't quite make out his expression. "Is this your first time visiting?"

I let out an embarrassed laugh. "Yep. Pretty obvious, isn't it?"

"No. I didn't mean anything by that." He smiled, fidgeting with his coffee lid. "So what brought you here?"

"I'm taking some time before college to travel."

His eyes widened. "That sounds amazing."

"So far so good. A little weird," I admitted, "but good." Seeing the man of my dreams was totally throwing me off.

"You don't sound so sure," he said, frowning.

"Well, it's just a big adjustment." I sighed before taking another sip of my drink. "I wasn't quite expecting that."

"I'm sure it'll just take a bit of time."

"I hope so." Feeling uncomfortable with my maybe mistake in traveling the world at nineteen, I decided to try to change the subject. "So what about you? Are you in school? Working?"

"I'm actually a police officer."

My jaw dropped at that. "You are?"

He nodded like it was no big deal. "For a couple years now."

"That's really cool. Um, you must be off duty then?"

"I am. Just a day off."

I suddenly felt intimidated hanging out with a police officer and wasn't sure what to say.

Seeming to sense my hesitation, he said, "I'm just a regular guy, though. Love football, pubs, hanging out with my friends."

"Sure, sure. Of course." I also felt that I could trust him, which was definitely a good feeling.

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