Page 56 of Fractured

“I think she’s good. She’s been keeping to herself a lot lately.” Tate takes a large bite of potatoes and gravy, and I dig back into my meal. “How’re you doing, Kat? I didn’t get to see you much at the Halloween party.”

I look up from my plate and notice he and Tanner are both grinning at me. Damn. They must’ve seen Nick carrying me off. “I’m good. Nothing new, really. I stay busy at work. And I volunteer once in a while. I have to deliver my route next week.”

“Deliver?” Tanner’s speech is garbled by the long green bean he’s wrestling in his mouth. I can’t help but laugh.

“Yeah, I deliver meals to shut-ins once or twice a month. I missed volunteering when I gave up riding with the rescue squad. It’s a pretty easy gig. Most of them are older or handicapped in some way that inhibits easy access to meals. I have about ten older folks on my route. Some I have to heat their food for them, but most just meet me at the door. They’re all really sweet. You can tell they’re lonely and don’t get many visitors. It’s kinda sad to think of someone spending their golden years alone like that.”

I suddenly take in the magnitude of what I’ve said and realize that’s the very track I’ve been on. Why on Earth would I want to spend my days alone when I could take a chance at a relationship with someone like Nick? If it doesn’t work out, sure, I might get hurt. But I won’t be any worse off than I am now.

* * *

The guests have all left, and I’m trying to help Mel clean up the last remnants of the gathering. Melanie’s parents took the kids home with them and are taking them to school in the morning so Melanie can sleep in.

“Kat, let’s leave the rest for tomorrow. Jake can put away the tables and chairs tomorrow too.” We both look over in his direction. He’s sitting on the couch with his head back, feet propped up, rubbing his belly. “Go over and sit with Jake. I’ll grab us some coffee drinks.”

“At ten o’clock? Mel, did you forget I don’t sleep well?”

Grinning, she answers, “Kit Kat, these are decaf and loaded with Bailey’s and Kahlua. If anything, they should help you sleep.”

“Ah, bring on the coffee.” I plop down beside Jake and pat him on the leg. “You okay, big guy?”

“I’m so stuffed. Mel’s going to have to just leave me here on the couch.” I can’t help but laugh. I pull my phone out to lazily scroll through social media for a bit as I wind down and notice there are new messages.

9:20 p.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: Missing you.

9:37 p.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: No pressure.

Just don’t forget about me.

9:43 p.m.

Nick Barnes

Nick: I’ll be the guy all alone over here thinking about the cutest little stray Kat I found at a Halloween party once.

“Hey, Kat, I meant to ask you.” Mel hands a steamy cup of fragrant coffee in my direction, distracting me from my naughty pen pal. “Are you going to the Christmas party this year?”

“What, the hospital one? I don’t usually go, why?”

“Well, they’re having it at the science museum this year. I think it’ll be cool. You should come.”

“Don’t fall for it, Kat. She’s usually bored out of her mind. We get all dressed up, and all the doctors insist on talking shop while they’re there, and she’s usually rolling her eyes at me because she wants to dance.”

“Wow, there’s dancing?” I perk up.

“Not like you do it. There’ll be no dirty librarians coming to the company Christmas party, Kat,” Jake states, seeming much more alert than he was five minutes ago.

“Okay, okay. I can dance conservatively.” I look to blank stares by both Jake and Mel. “What? I can. When is it again?”

“It’s next weekend, December 1st. Oh, please say you’ll come, Kat,” Melanie pleads. “I’m sure I have a dress you can wear. You can come here and get dressed and ride with us. Spend the night afterward.”

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