Page 80 of Give Me Love

After I towel off and slide an oversized T-shirt on, I climb into bed and shut my eyes, dreaming of a starless sky, a suit, and a loose tie.

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The next day is busy at work. It’s Friday, and all the college kids are here getting high on caffeine. They’re talking loud about plans for this weekend as I straighten bookshelves and dust. Karen’s in the back doing whatever Karen does, and Becca is stocking the to-go cups and sleeves. I close my eyes when the singing starts.

Oh no. I told them not to do this.

Everyone basically yells the “Happy Birthday” song, and I look behind me as Karen sets a cake with candles on it onto the counter. All the college kids have birthday hats on now and smiles on their faces. I see these people all the time. They’re regulars, but it doesn’t make me less embarrassed for the attention. With a face I’m sure is red, I smirk and walk over to the cake.

“Blow them out, Kat,” one guy tells me.

I roll my eyes and go to blow when a girl says, “Make a wish.”

I think for a moment, and then I blow every last candle out. My wish wasn’t simple, and it’s nothing no one can really do anything about.

I wished to be different. That my past didn’t affect me so much. I wished that Bryce and I could have a normal relationship and stop with this friends crap. At first, I was sure I didn’t want to jump into another romantic relationship. I’m still not one hundred percent, but this is different. This isn’t a little crush, and I think we’re only keeping our distance to protect ourselves, but I’m not sure what’s worse at this point. Getting hurt or always wondering what could have happened if we’d let go of our fears and gave whatever this is a real chance.

After the cake, Karen tells me to go on home. It’s early afternoon when I walk into our apartment. I’ve sent Bryce a text, but he hasn’t responded. I try to convince myself that he’s probably busy. I mean, he might be spending time with his mom. He also owns a club, and he works out at his father’s ranch. He’s got a lot on his plate.

I decide to shower and shave, and then I send him another text. Still no response. Sighing, I lie back on my bed and look up at the ceiling. I want to have a good time tonight. Maybe it’s a good thing he isn’t answering. I know earlier I was thinking taking things farther would be a good thing, but hell, maybe I need a break to clear my head.

We aren’t going to Red tonight. Instead, we’ve chosen a rave club. Austin knows some clients who go there, and we thought it would be different. Can’t say I don’t like the idea of doing something different for my birthday, but I know I won’t seehimthere either, which sucks.

Ugh. This is stupid. When did this happen? I thought I decided I needed me time. Time to get to know myself better and make some things happen with my future. I can’t do that with a man occupying my every thought.

I sit up, and without thinking too much into it, I text Austin and see if he has a friend who would like to go with us tonight. I need to get to know other people. I need to date a little, knowing it won’t be anything serious. No sex, no strings, just a different man to get my mind off the one I can’t seem to get enough of.

I thought that was what our relationship would be like, but Bryce has this pull on me I can’t shake. I’m terrified to admit that I may be falling hard for him, and I just don’t know how to handle that.

I’m a liar. I do know how to handle it.

I’m going to run. Just like I’ve always done.

Thirty minutes later, Austin tells me he has a friend who’d be down to go with us. He says this guy is cool and not looking for anything serious.

Perfect.

Chapter Sixteen

Kathrine

The restaurant we pick for my birthday dinner is on the nicer side but has a laid-back vibe. It’s dark in here with yellow glowing lights placed around on the booths and above our head. The music is Italian, and the place smells delicious. We sit at a table in the middle with a few tables around us and small booths along the wall. There’s a bar toward the front, and it’s slowly filling up as the evening goes on. It’s right next door to Red, but who’s thinking about that?

You are, my subconscious points.

I roll my eyes.

I’m wearing a black velvet pantsuit with yellow strapped heels. I feel pretty tonight, but I also feel off. The guy I’m partnered with is cute enough. He has a lip ring and thick hair. No tattoos, though. I never really thought much about tattoos before. Mark didn’t have them. He was a pretty boy with perfect hair and preppy clothes. Bryce has lots of tattoos. Bryce’s hair is also almost shaved, and he’s taller than this guy beside me. His voice is raspier and deeper, whereas this guy sounds whiny.

Bryce, Bryce, Bryce. Geez, girl get a life.

“I swear he did,” Austin says over to Claire as I take a sip of my drink, darting my eyes over to my date, Shawn.

“It happened,” he confirms.

“There’s no way someone would do that,” Claire replies with an eye roll.

“It burnt the shit out of his nose, but we sat there and watched him.” Austin brings his beer to his lips with a smirk.

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