Page 87 of Welcome to Forever
“Whoa! You guys. I’m sitting right here,” Kat said, pretending to be insulted.
Val cocked an eyebrow. “And why is it you needed a ride from Micah anyway? Your car isn’t in the driveway. Where is it?”
Kat nibbled her lower lip, remembering how she’d left it in the school’s parking lot in order to stay with Micah. “He didn’t think I should drive with my ankle like this,” she said, which was the truth. “Maybe you can help me get it from the school later today?” she asked, looking at Julie.
“Sure.” Julie shrugged.
“Thanks.” Getting up, Kat squeaked as her body weight hit her ankle like a dozen tiny, sharp knives.
“Are you going to get that looked at?” Julie moved toward it and sat on the floor, poking at the pocket of swelling. “Does that hurt?”
“Ouch! Yes, it hurts.”
“I think I saw an elastic bandage under your bathroom sink. I can fix this.” Julie turned back to Val. “Guest bathroom. Do you mind?”
“I guess not. You sisters seem to like ordering me around.” Val pointed at Kat. “But don’t think you’re off the hook. I want details.”
Five minutes later, Julie had Kat’s ankle wrapped in a fancy pattern intended to push the swelling out.
“I did this for my clients at the health club that I worked at. When someone would get a sprain, I’d wrap them. It seemed to help,” Julie said.
“Yeah. It feels better already.” Kat took a few steps. “And to think I thought you were just watching all the hot men flex their oversized muscles up in Charlotte.”
“That, too.” Julie got up and headed toward the kitchen and the coffee machine. “No more freebies until I get my first cup.”
A few minutes later, they all sat around the kitchen table and sipped quietly.
“So, it’s your turn to spill some details.” Kat looked at her sister. “What happened with that guy you were dating?”
Julie’s smile faded. “We broke up. That’s all.”
“Why? What’d you fight about?” Kat asked, wondering if Julie would tell her this time. She’d asked several times in the last few weeks. It had to be over something major to send her sister running back to the town she swore she’d never come home to.
“Nothing really.” Julie shifted uncomfortably.
There was an invisible shield that seemed to come up with just the mention of Julie’s ex.
“Well, I’m glad you’re back. I’m dating for the first time since John died. I need your sisterly expertise.”
“I thought you hated having me here.” Julie hugged her legs as she sat in the kitchen chair.
“We’re family.” Kat reached for her hand. “And friends. Right, Val?”
Val didn’t move a muscle.
“Val?” Kat urged.
“I’ll agree to friendly acquaintances,” Val said, her gaze meeting Julie’s. Then she stuck her hand over theirs at the center of the table.
“Aww! I wouldn’t have pegged you for the sappy type,” Julie said, causing Val to roll her eyes.
“Your sister does that to me, okay? I can’t help it. And now there’s two of you, heaven help me.” Val shook her head. “And before I get any sappier, or before it’s my turn to spill the deets about my nonexistent love life, I’ll be going.” She pulled her hand away and headed toward the back door.
“ ‘Nonexistent’? What happened to Doug?” Kat asked, following her.
Val’s steps slowed. Her shoulders pulled back as she took a breath. “Apparently, not all Marines are sex-deprived on deployment.”
Kat grabbed her arm, turning Val to face her. “Are you okay?” She knew that Val had really liked this guy, as opposed to all the guys from her father’s church she usually dated. She’d practically beamed every time she’d spoken about Doug.
