Page 40 of Fractured

“Ooh, that sounds fun. We’ll have to get a cab to take us there since we’ll be in old town Alexandria. What made you decide to stay there?”

“It’s where they’re holding the conference. You know me and sleep. I just didn’t want to have to take a cab during busy DC traffic in the morning to get to the conference on time. This way, I can just roll out of bed and head downstairs to the conference room.”

Tapping her pretty blonde head, she smiles back at me. “Smart.”

The line starts moving forward as people board the train. We grab a pair of seats and settle in for the journey, catching up on her most recent production and how wedding plans are coming. I know it’s just a matter of time before the conversation turns to Nick, so I’m bracing myself.

“So, how’s your mom and dad? And Rachel and the kids? You haven’t mentioned them in a while.”

“Yeah, funny you should say that. I think they’re okay. I’ve been so busy lately and haven’t stayed in touch. I find I need to pull away from them once in a while for my sanity. They’ve pretty much given up on asking if I’m ever going to date again. I often wonder if my mom thinks I don’t like men. This morning I contemplated calling to let them know I’m working Thanksgiving.”

“Wow, Kat, do you usually work it?”

“Yeah, I tend to volunteer to work Thanksgiving as often as I can since that holiday seems to revolve around, ‘Kat can’t cook… Kat can’t find a man… Kat will never have kids… blah, blah, blah.’”

“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry you have to put up with that. They’re your family. They should be more supportive.”

“Well, it is what it is. I’ve just learned how to best handle them over the years, and avoiding Thanksgivingisthe best way to handle them. I’ll miss seeing Jenna and Luke, though. God, those two… they crack me up.” Shaking my head at the memory of finding those texts will never get old. Then my mind drifts to Nick, and I instantly regret going there.

“What’s that face for?” Olivia probes.

“What do you mean?”

“You were laughing one minute and then sullen the next. I’ve known you forever, Kat. You can’t hide from me. What has you down?”

“Well, I guess we have some time to kill on this trip. I slept with Nick.”

“Oh my god! What?! Why didn’t you start with that?” she practically shouts.

I look about the rows of seats nearest us on this portion of the train and turn back to her. “A little louder, Liv. I don’t think the squirrels out there could hear you.”

“I’m sorry, Kit Kat. I’m just so excited for you. I need details! Was there a loin cloth involved in this hookup?” She giggles.

“No.” I laugh back, surprised she remembers. “It was the most incredible night of my life.” I beam at her knowingly.

“Oh. My. God. You didn’t? You did? Please tell me you finally had an orgasm?”

I just nod, laughing at my inquisitive friend, who’s now looking at me like a mom who just watched her daughter ride a bike without training wheels for the first time.

She turns in her seat, pulling her little legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them in excitement. “Kat, I need details here. How did this finally happen?”

“It was the night of Jake and Melanie’s Halloween party. Their dog, Murphy, knocked me down as we started dancing, and Nick swooped in, picked me up, and carried me off to check on me. Once we were alone, we started kissing, one thing led to another, and…”

“And what. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me before now. He’s so flippin’ hot. Did it happen just once, or did he go all night?”

“Oh my god, Olivia. Yes, he’s insanely hot. Yes, he probably would’ve gone all night, but after the second go-round, I think I went unconscious.”

She wraps her hands animatedly over her mouth and looks up at me with her big blue eyes. Then I watch as she mouths, “How many O’s did you have?”

I lift three fingers at her in response, and we both break into hysterical laughter.

“Then why isn’t he accompanying you on this trip instead of me?” she suddenly asks.

“Um, because I only attract dicks, remember.”

“What? Oh no, Kat.”

“Yep! I woke up from the best night of my life, and he was gone. No note, no nothing. I made excuses for him and hoped for the best, but a full week went by and not a word. I didn’t speak with him again until he saw me at work, and I could tell it was purely accidental. I tried to keep it as professional as possible, but I basically told him where he could stick it.”

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