Page 4 of Last First Time
“You’re not that kind of girl, K.T.” I stroke the inside of her wrist with my thumb. I love feeling her pulse, that feel of her being alive and next to me.
“What kind of girl am I then?” Her eyes glitter dangerously.
“You’re my best friend. You’re the best part of my day, every day.” I pull her closer toward me, until she is close enough for me to breathe in her scent of whiskey and leather.
“Yeah?” Her voice is thin, breathy. Is it possible that she is feeling this too, at last?
“Yeah.” I swallow hard, aching to kiss her. “Of course you are, Karisma.”
She closes her eyes, lets her breath out slowly. “I hate to be that girl who needs you to come to the rescue yet again, but I do think you’re going to have to drive me home.”
“I’m here for you. I’ll keep you safe.” I wrap my arms around her, press my face against hair.
“You’ve always been that guy for me. From that first party we went to, I knew you were the guy I could count on to get me home safely.” Her eyes flick up to mine, and her lips part. I feel myself leaning toward her, drawn in by the promise of sweetness in her kiss. I am absolutely going to do this. I’m going to quit chickening out and fucking kiss her until she melts in my arms.
“Karisma, I—” My voice stops, choked on the possibilities. What if when I kiss her, I ruin us?
I don’t want to relive the past mistakes with her, like that one night when I had beer-ponged my way right into the friend zone. Or that time I’d tried to dress more like a hippie and ended up splitting my pants open and unintentionally showing off my entire ass to the Notre Dame quad. Or when I’d volunteered at the animal shelter with her and ended up having to go to the emergency room with a severe allergic reaction to the cats I was supposed to be helping.
I’d tried over and over again to be that one guy that she wanted in her life but had always failed spectacularly at every opportunity. She knew I wasn’t the right guy for her, and I was so grateful that she hadn’t completely written me out of her life altogether. Our friendship is perfect.
I can’t take the risk of her cutting me out altogether. I’m going to stay in her life no matter how lonely this yearning feeling is. I have to be the safe guy for her, her friend. I have to keep my lecherous lips to myself, tonight and every other night.
“Well, let’s get out of here then. You’re done for the night, aren’t you?” I reluctantly let go of her, making myself move toward the door.
“First let me get the mail out of the office. I got some kind of document from the landlord and should probably look at it.”
I sigh, rubbing my neck. Guess we aren’t going to finally share the giant kiss of my millions of fantasies. Or bodily fluids either.
“Oh my God,” her voice rings out from the office.
“Are you okay? K.T., talk to me.” I sprint toward the back of the bar. “Use your words. What is happening?”
She’s standing in the door of the office, holding a piece of paper in front of her face. And fuck me, she’s crying. I’m not good at tears generally, but K.T. hasn’t cried since she broke up with Jeffrey. That fucker.
“You’re scaring me, sweetheart. Please tell me what’s happening.” I reach for her, but she pulls back.
“It’s my bar, Reed. I’m losing my fucking bar.” She shakes the piece of paper at me.
“What are you talking about? Come here.” I take the paper from her and read it quickly. “Okay, okay. Take a deep breath, Kar. What we need to do is find a new place for Riddles.” I put the paper down and wrap her in my arms. “We can do this.”
She’s shaking her head against my chest, but at least she’s crying less. “Everything I’ve worked for. I did this all on my own and now….”
“Well you don’t have to do this on your own. This time, you’re going to let me help you.” I smooth my hand over the dark curtain of her hair. “Okay?”
She sniffles a little. Her breathing is still shaky, but she’s finally stopped crying. “Okay. Yes.”
Damn my traitorous body for responding to her right now. I have to be the good guy, not the good time guy. “We’ve got this. Now you say it, too.”
She hiccups a little. My heart is breaking. I can feel it right now, aching and raw in my chest. “We’ve got this.” K.T. takes another shuddering breath. “Now please take me home.”
K.T.
This is officially the worst day of my life. There is no way on earth I’m not going to drink more when I get home. Maybe all of the alcohol ever invented, or at least all of the alcohol that I own.
“Reed, come inside and have some fucking whiskey with me.” I leave the door hanging open behind me, but I could feel it as soon as he comes in my door. That tingle along the back of my neck. I am more alive when he comes close.
“I’m not here to drink, Karisma.” His voice is like smoke, wrapping around me and stealing my breath.
