Page 10 of Deprived No More

“All homemade. We’ll get out of your hair. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.” My eyes connect with Jonas for the briefest of seconds before I feel my face turn a shade a bit brighter than my sleep set.

“Bye, Kat,” he says quietly as he turns and follows his wife out of my bedroom. MY BEDROOM.Ugh.

I dart to the bathroom as soon as I hear the front door snap closed and grab my robe, quickly tying the sash. Catching a glance of myself in the mirror, I almost shriek. My hair’s a mess, and there are wrinkles on my cheek from the deep slumber I must’ve been in prior to their arrival. Splashing some water on my face, I head toward the front door to ensure it’s locked, deciding to wait a few moments for Jonas and Susanna to get inside before I retrieve that spare key. We definitely need to come up with some other option for that thing.

Standing with the doorknob clutched in my hand, I take a calming breath before opening the door. I know Nick meant well asking them to check on me, but there’s a line between concerned, friendly neighbors and invasion. Deciding they’ve probably made it far enough away that I can retrieve the key sight unseen, I swing open the door and scream.

Nick

Come on, Kat. Pick up.I thought the neighbors would’ve stopped by to check on her since Susanna mentioned making her soup. Maybe she’s in the shower. It’s been a busy day in the office. This is the first break between patient appointments I’ve had since the morning where I could try and check on her.

Trying to push past my concerns, I reread the same line of the patient’s office visit note I’m dictating about three more times, my eyes constantly flicking back to my phone screen as if I could miss an incoming call or text from inches away.Oh, fuck it.

Grabbing the phone, I click the button on my contacts, certain this call won’t let me down.

“Nick?”

“Hi, Dad. I know you’re picking up the kids a little later, but I wondered if you’d mind stopping by the house to check on Kat first. She didn’t answer, and I’d just feel better if someone could make sure she’s okay.”

“Hmmm. That is asking a lot, Son.”

What the hell?My dad’s never once made anything I’ve ever asked seem like an imposition. Am I living in some alternate universe today?

“I’m joking, Nick. I’m at your house right now.”

The relief that washes over me is instant. “Is she okay?”

“I’m not sure,” he answers.

And the panic is back.

“What do you mean you’re not sure?”

“Calm down, Nick. I just scared her half to death when she opened the door. I hadn’t had a chance to knock, and she wasn’t expecting me to be standing there.”

Hearing Kat’s giggle come through the line, I instantly feel as if I’ve been injected with a sedative. What is wrong with me? “Can I talk to her?” I ask, knowing I sound as if I’m pleading.

“Nick.” She breathes into the phone, instantly calming my nerves.

“Hi, kitten. I don’t like when you’re sick. I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m fine. Except for the stroke I almost had when your dad was standing in the doorway.”

“Why would that gentle old man scare you?”

“It was just his timing. Jonas and Susanna had already gotten me jumpy. So when I went out to move the spare key, I wasn’t expecting your dad to be standing there. I think I jumped five feet off of the ground.”

I could hear shuffling as she spoke. “Why would the neighbors make you jumpy?”

“Hmm, let’s see. Maybe because I woke up to Jonas standing over our bed.”

“What the fuck!” Sitting taller in my seat at her statement, I notice Ava and none other than Holden Knight in my doorway. Quickly covering the receiver to the phone, I whisper in their direction, “Sorry. I just got some unexpected news. Could you close the door for me?”

“Of course,” Ava responds quietly and pulls the door behind her with a worried expression. I choose to ignore Holden completely.Wait. Is he moving in on my PA now?

“Nick?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Someone was at the door, baby. Please tell me how the hell Jonas was in our bedroom.”

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