Page 54 of Fractured

“Thanks, Jake. Not this year.”

“Oh, so maybe next year?” he jokes, sounding a bit snarky.

“You never know. If I can finally get my ducks in a row, I think there could be something there.”

“Well, that’s something I can be thankful for!” He beams. I just shake my head at him, giggling. “What? I’d be thrilled to see the two of you finally get together. Not to mention, I can probably parlay that into lots of future babysitting.”

“How do you figure that?” I snort.

“Well, since Mel and I have secretly been trying to get you two together for months, that should get us some type of commission on the deal.”

“Unbelievable. And to think I thought you were-” I suddenly feel my pocket vibrate and reach down to grab my phone.

9:05 p.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: I’m most thankful for you.

Chapter Eighteen

Kat

“Kat’s here!” Ruby and Seth run screaming down the hall.

“Kat, come on in the kitchen. I could use your help!” I hear Melanie bellow from down the hall. Sunday night at the Harris house and Friendsgiving is in full effect. The house is full of laughter, and aromatic blends of citrus, sage, and thyme permeate the home.

“Hey, Mel. I brought a bottle of Pinot Grigio. What do you need me to help with?”

“Thank god, reliable help. All Jake does is eat half of it and sneak out. Can you help with putting together the appetizers? That tray of bruschetta needs to have the tomato and herb topping on each with some shaved parmesan. That tray needs pesto and grilled chicken placed on the crackers, and the last station there is for building the cherry tomato, mozzarella, and basil skewers. Once they’re all together, lay them here, and I’ll drizzle them with balsamic vinegar.” Melanie turns from barking out orders like a drill sergeant and heads for the oven. As she opens it, the bouquet of herbs and lemon scent the air.

“Oh my god, Mel, you do this to me every year. I’ll be so full on your amazing appetizers I won’t have room left for the main course. I need to start packing Ziplock bags to carry everything home.”

“Well, by the looks of it, you need to eat as much as you want. You’ve lost weight, Kat. Is something going on?”

I admit I haven’t had much of an appetite lately. The stress of learning I’ve been doing things I’m unaware of has made me both anxious and depressed. I need to find a way to get Jake to the side so I can talk about my recent conversation with Nick. “I’m okay. Just a lot going on right now.”

“I was hoping after Halloween, things would be looking up.” I look over to Mel and see she is waggling her eyebrows at me. She starts to whisper yell across the kitchen island, “Holy shit, Kat, the way he picked you up and carried you off. It was the stuff of romance movies.”

“Ha. Yeah. It was an epic night.” I can’t help but blush.

“Are you two doing okay?” She seems to tread carefully with this question. “I almost invited him tonight.”

“Yeah, things are okay. And Jake told me. Thanks for understanding about not inviting him. I just need to sort things out before I can start anything serious with anyone. I really like him, Mel. And he seems to like me too, which is not something I’m used to. At least, not from someone I have feelings for. But I have to get that Rohypnol test back… figure out that craziness first. I’ve got too much baggage. I don’t need to bring that into a relationship. Not if I finally want a healthy one.”

I jump with a start as I hear metal meet granite. I notice Melanie has put down her utensils and is walking toward me with purpose. I’m suddenly crushed against her body, spilling crushed tomatoes and herbs onto the floor. I quickly inspect her top to make sure it hasn’t spilled down her back.

“I’m so happy for you, Kat. I know this may be premature, but it’s the most optimistic I’ve ever heard you speak about a relationship.” I attempt to warn her I’ve dropped appetizer topping onto the floor before she steps in it when suddenly Murphy comes around the corner. Now I know why that lovable chocolate Labrador retriever is so overweight.

Shrugging my shoulders, I just return the hug and smile as she pulls away. “It’s hard for me to get too excited about it yet, Mel. I let myself get a little giddy when I’m alone, but honestly, I have way too much taking up space in my brain right now. I’ll be so glad when I can iron out this craziness. I’m glad you’re letting me stay tonight. I find I sleep much better when there’s someone else nearby. Plus, I really want to drink tonight.”

“Well, we can’t have you driving back home after eating and drinking the night away. Have you had any more of the weird dreams or woken up with different clothes on?”

“No. I think I’ve determined it’s related to the sleeping pills. I haven’t had any since I stopped taking them. I don’t sleep much now unless I use Benadryl and wake up feeling hungover. I’ve been having a few night terrors again. But I think they might go away once the Rohypnol test is back.”

Mel turns to me abruptly. “What kind of night terrors? Kat, I swear, if he hurt you.”

“No, it’s more feeling like I’m being watched. Little snippets of things that don’t add up. Basically, my nightlife in a nutshell. Nothing adding up.”

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