Page 44 of Deprivation

Finding it difficult to decipher the meaning of this, I bite my lip in contemplation. Am I reading this right? I squirm in the bed, distracted by my lingering arousal from last night’s zolpidem-induced fantasy.Yes. Yes, I did need him. Well, fantasy him.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

I jump at the vibration in my hand. Quickly tapping the screen, I read the message.

7:10 a.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: I’m here. Do you need me?

I bolt upright, looking down at my scantily clad form.What the heck? He’s here? Like, here, here?I look toward the bedroom door as if I can see through it to the front porch. Jumping up, I run to the bathroom and grab my robe, tying it around me quickly as I glimpse at my disheveled state in the mirror. I slide the toothbrush quickly over my teeth and run my fingers through my crazy hair and hastily head for the front door. I approach hesitantly, unsure what I’ll find on the other side. As I slowly peek through the thin, vertical window that abuts my front door, I notice the porch is empty. Perplexed, I slowly open the door and look to the curb. Stepping out, I whip my head in both directions, noting there are no unfamiliar cars parked on the street and no one meandering down the drive.I’m losing my damn mind.

Closing the door behind me in bewilderment, I lazily amble to the kitchen.Coffee. I definitely need coffee. After pushing the button on the machine and listening for the familiar sound of water sputtering as it heats, I sit on the nearest stool at the kitchen island and stare down at my phone like it’ll provide the answers I need. Maybe he’s texting my number by mistake. There’s no way he could know what I’ve been dreaming about.

Getting up from my perch, I return to the steaming pot of coffee which awaits, praying the rich brew will awaken my mind, along with my senses.This is silly,I think, sipping the luxurious brew. I need to text him back so he won’t continue texting the wrong girl. I don’t want him to embarrass himself by writing something inappropriate.God, I’d really be having dirty thoughts about him if I read that.I need to clear this up so it isn’t any more awkward when we work together.Like that’s possible.

7:20 a.m.

Kat: I’m sorry, I think you might have the wrong number. This is Katarina Kelly. I’m a PA at St. Luke’s.

There, that should clear this up. I take another sip of my coffee.I need to buy another bag of this one. This is really goo-

Bzzz. Bzzz.

7:22 a.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: I apologize, Ms. Kelly.

As I suspected,I think, surprised at the disappointment I now feel.

7:24 a.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: I know who you are. I’m in the ER. I saw the news about the bus crash and thought you might be working and wanted to offer my help. I wasn’t thinking about the early hour when I sent the text. Please, accept my sincere apologies.

Oh. Itwasfor me. A corner of my mouth curls up as I re-read the text.What the heck is wrong with you, Kat? He was sending you a work text. He wasn’t sexting you, for God’s sake. Get a grip.I send off a reply,

7:29 a.m.

Kat: No apologies needed. I’m off today. I was unaware of the crash. I hope everyone is okay.

7:32 a.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: Yes. I figured out you were off shortly after I got here. Again, I feel terrible about hastily firing off that text without thinking. I think the news got my adrenalin going. I’m not cut out for the ER apparently.

Okay, so that text made me laugh a little. It was nice he could admit that.

7:34 a.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: About ten people transported here but no real serious injuries and only two orthopedic, neither of which required my assistance. Enjoy your day, Ms. Kelly.

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