Page 50 of Kisses

Chapter 19

Fast forward a year and half later…

Lyla

After a very long day at work, I kick off my shoes at home. The last year and a half has been extremely busy. After I graduated from college, I spent the summer in Boston receiving first-hand experience on how to be an actual reporter. It was such a great experience.

However, I decided I wanted to be home. I received a job as a crime reporter at the local paper here in Omaha. I like it, for the most part. Some things tend to be repetitive, but it's Omaha. Nothing too exciting most days. Oh well, I enjoy it. It isn’t the highest paying job, but I really don’t need the money. The joys of having an inheritance.

Writing for the paper allows me to keep my writing skills in tack. One of my goals is to publish what I wrote for my college paper. Professor James gave me an A and basically told me in an email that he wouldn’t have changed anything about it. I was surprised by that grade, especially after everything that went on between him and I. He held his end of the bargain to grade me fairly.

After the comments, I deleted everything that was associated with him. The rest of my senior year was so complicated. I tried my best to avoid any interaction with Sullivan. I would see him a few times and every damn time I wanted to fall apart.

I have dated a few times since the breakup with Sullivan. I feel like I am back to my normal self. Just having sex with random guys because a woman has needs. I really wanted to try dating, but it just doesn’t feel like it did with Sullivan. Maybe that was my only shot at love. When I think about it, that really sucks.

I walk down the hallway of my father’s home. I have been looking for a house of my own for a while but really haven’t found anything that feels like home. The only place that ever felt like home was my mother’s home and the townhouse.

Most nights, I stay home and watch my true crime shows. Kandace and I get together once in a while. She is living in Lincoln with Todd. They are going strong. I am happy for her. Once in a while, she will accidently say something about Sullivan, but she then catches herself. I cannot imagine how awkward it is for her to be around him.

I walk into the kitchen and see my father cleaning up after himself. He sees me and greets, “Hey, sweetie. How was work?”

I love when he wants to have small talk. I answer, “Just another day in the life of traffic violations and minor muggings.”

He laughs, “Sounds like the perfect day.”

I grin, “Something like that.”

“Any big plans tonight?”

“Nope. I just plan to stay home and watch television.”

“Sweetie, you need to get out tonight.”

“Why? Are you having a little party tonight?”

“There could be a few individuals coming over tonight. But that’s not what I am getting at. You’re always staying home and watching TV. You’re a young, successful journalist. You should be out having the time of your life. I don’t like seeing you always cooped up in your room.”

My father is being endearing. The concerned look on his face explains everything. He is right. I am young and should be out enjoying my life. I just don’t have the energy anymore. I don’t know what I want in life. It will come to me. Well, I hope. There is one thing for sure, I have not been the same since I have experienced love.

***

After an uneventful weekend, it’s another day back to the grind of listening to Omaha and Sarpy Scanner. I walk to my cubicle and sit down. Marty, my work friend, peeps her head over the cubicle. She asks, “What’s up?”

I laugh, “You know the answer to that.”

“So, boss lady might be speaking with you today.”

“Okay, that was random. What's going on?”

“I guess some big-time author is coming to town for the Criminal Investigation Conference.”

“Okay.”

“A little birdie told me she wants you to interview the author.”

Floored, I question, “Say what?”

She nods her head and states, “This is big, like really big.”

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