Page 68 of Shattered

“I’m sorry. I’ve been begging you to come for years. I didn’t know you’d actually go for it once I planned a trip.”

“Don’t worry about it, Kate. I’m just messing with you.” I take a sip of my coffee. “So is that best friend of yours going with you?”

She shakes her head. “No, but I’ve been trying to talk her into it. I’ve been coming up with ways I can trick her into going.” She offers up an evil grin.

I laugh and shake my head. “How can you trick someone into going to Miami?”

“I have my ways,” she says in a teasing voice.

I laugh and shake my head at her. I can see she has grown up a lot in the few years I’ve known her, but she’s also spoiled and gets everything she asks for, so I’m not surprised she thinks she can talk her friend into a trip she doesn’t want.

“So, what are your plans?” Katie asks as she sips her coffee she was just handed.

I shrug. “I don’t even know where to start. I’m finally settled in my apartment. I’m torn between finding a job or just spending some time to find myself, you know? I’ve only ever been in advertising. I never went to college. I don’t really know where to start.”

Her blue eyes grow wide while a smile slowly spreads across her face. “I have an idea.”

I’m feeling a little nervous now. “What kind of idea?” I ask, fear drenching my words.

“An idea for you to find yourself, to get out there and see where you end up.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a tiny, red, spiraled notebook and a pen.

She opens the notebook and starts writing.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Without looking up at me, she says, “I’m making you a bucket list.”

I laugh. “A bucket list? Really? How is that supposed to help me discover myself?”

She looks up at me with some kind of knowing smile. “It’s worth a shot, right?”

I wave her on. “Why not?”

We sit and have an easy conversation while she writes things down on my list. When she stands to leave, she slides over the notebook.

“The next time I see you, you better have this with you so I can see what you’ve managed to check off.”

I grab it and slide it into my pocket. “Yes, Ma’am.”

She pulls me in for a hug. “See you in three months, bro.” She lightly punches me on the shoulder as she pulls away.

“When does your plane leave?”

“Five A.M. Saturday. I’m spending the day with Jovi tomorrow.” She grabs her purse and runs away as quickly as she appeared.

Once she is no longer in my line of sight, I turn and walk in the opposite direction.

17

HAPPILY EVER AFTER?

I’m stock still, watching as he watches me. He looks perfect as he stands there, bag hanging from his strong shoulder. His hair is disheveled and his jaw is cocked, his blue eyes are darkening as he watches me intently. This look of brooding makes him look dark and sexy. I hold the strap on my shoulder even tighter, waiting for what’s sure to come.

He slowly starts moving towards me, and with each step, my heart pounds harder. My legs feel weak, like they are going to buckle at any minute. And my stomach is doing flips, filled with nerves about how this meeting will go. All I pray for is that he forgives me. I love him, and I’m ready to say it.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him, barely above a whisper when he closes the distance between us.

“Can we talk?” His voice is deep and rough as he looks down on me through his thick lashes.

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