Page 49 of Keeping Kama

Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, Leia said, “I know. I’m sorry too for how I acted. I hope we can start over being friends.”

“Friends?” asked Derek.

“Yes, friends, Derek,” said Leia.

“I guess I have to take what I can get,” said Derek. “Though, for the record, I likelikeyou.”

“What are we, like twelve?” asked Leia.

Derek laughed. “No, but I’ll drop it.” A long pause followed, Derek asked, “Are you headed somewhere? You said you couldn’t talk long.”

Opening her closet door, Leia said, “I’ve something tonight, and I’m not sure when it’ll end.” She bent down and dug out a pair of strappy sandals from her closet that were more comfortable than visually appealing.

“Oh, really. Where are you going?” pried Derek.

Sitting on the corner of her bed, Leia slipped her foot into her first sandal. “Only to my parents’ house for dinner.” She buckled the back of the sandal then moved onto the next sandal. “But my mom invited a guy for me.”

Partly, Leia wondered how Derek would react. Would he be jealous of the prospect of another guy in her life? Or were they only friends, and he would react indifferently?

“Ahh. Anyone you know?” asked Derek. “Or is this a blind date set up thing?”

With her sandals strapped, Leia stood, snatching her phone off the bed. She continued to her bathroom. “Yeah, my old college boyfriend,Bane.” Setting her phone on the top of her bathroom counter, Leia opened a drawer, taking out her makeup bag.

“It sounds like you’re busy getting ready to meetBane. I should let you go,” said Derek.

Makeup bag out, she unzipped the top. Leia pulled out her mascara first. “I’ve got a few minutes to talk.” She unscrewed the top of her mascara, applying some to her top lashes.

“So, what’s the story with you and Bane? Does Teresa think you two have unfinished business?” inquired Derek.

Leia’s jaw dropped when he used almost exactly her mother’s words, making her halt in place. “How did you know?” asked Leia.

“Why else would Teresa invite him over,” muttered Derek. Clearing his throat, Derek asked, “And?”

“There’s no story.” Leia moved onto her other eye, sweeping the top with a coat of mascara. “We dated in college. We broke up when Bane moved away to Idaho. End of story. Why? Do I hear a hint of jealousy in your voice?” Mascara recapped, Leia threw it back into her makeup bag. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Leia waited for Derek to answer. “Are you still there?”

“I’m here …” Derek’s voice faded away. Finally, Derek stated, “I might be a little bit jealous, though I have no right to be.”

Picking up her phone, Leia took the phone off speaker, placing it to her ear. “I’m glad,” said Leia matter-of-factly.

Laughing, Derek said, “You’re happy, because I’m miserable here in Los Angeles alone, and I’ll spend the entire night wondering if you made a love connection with some old flame.”

“Precisely.” Leia missed talking to Derek, more than she imagined. A knock at the door alerted Leia to the time. Eyeing her watch, Leia said, “I need to run. I’m late, and I know my mom sent Bane to my door to fetch me. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye,” said Derek.

Leia said goodbye and hung up.

Double checking her appearance in the mirror, Leia slid her phone into her pocket and left her bathroom. Walking to her front door, Leia swung it open, and her gaze landed on Bane. He was fifteen years older, but boy, time had been good to him. His once chubby face and shabby hair were replaced by a chiseled jaw and slick dark hair cut close to his temples.

Leia gulped. “Hey,” she managed. The single word came out shaky. Suddenly, her knees became wobbly. “It’s nice to see you again, Bane.”

Bane took a step closer to the opened door, casually leaning one shoulder against the door frame. “Hi, Leia.” His dark eyes smoldered back at her. “You look exactly the same.” He smirked.

Gathering her long strands of hair with her hands, Leia swooped it all over one of her shoulders. “I’d say the same about you, but I’d be lying.” Her cheeks burned.

Straightening himself, Bane replied, “Oh— how so?”

Without thinking, Leia said, “You’ve managed to get better looking.”

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