Page 91 of Give Me Love

She smiles. “I know, but if I know you, I’m sure she doesn’t know. Call her.”

I nod. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Chapter Eighteen

Bryce

It’s been a week dealing with Mom and her withdrawals. I had a doctor come by and check on her the second day, and he’s supposed to return today to make sure she’s doing okay. He’s got her hooked to an IV bag and has given her some Subutex, which should help wean her off heroin.

This is a lot tougher than I thought it would be, and I can’t say I haven’t second-guessed this whole fucking situation. I exhale the stress on my shoulders.

Regardless of how traumatic the week with Mom has been, I haven’t for one moment forgotten about that kiss. It was like feeling the rain for the first time. Waking up with the sun warming your face in fresh, soft cotton sheets. Kissing her was like slipping in and out of heaven, man.

I’ve told myself that leaving Kat that night was the right thing to do for both of us.

How am I supposed to open up? Women like that shit. They expect you to tell them everything. Just thinking about it gives me anxiety. I’ve always been a private person. Always.

I rub my forehead, trying to hold off a headache.

Kathrine hasn’t returned any of my phone calls, but she’ll text me back, telling me she’s busy. Truthfully, it pisses me off. I grip onto the gear shifter, wondering if this is a good idea. I know going in there I’m not going to be able to avoid what happened between us.

I look toward the store, narrowing my eyes to see if she’s in there. I spot her walking toward the back.

I exhale, yank my keys out of the ignition, and step out into the hot summer sun, waiting for a car to pass before I walk across the street.

The cool air is a welcome when I step inside and the bell above the door dings.

“I’ll be right there,” I hear her sweet voice and then see her when she comes from the back. Her hair is wavy and down over her shoulders. Her pretty colorful string bracelets are always on her wrist and a ring the shape of a beach wave rests on her pointy finger as she holds a box.

She wears blue jean shorts and a low scooped hunter green tank top. She’s gorgeous and has a tan.

Where has she been to get a tan?

Her eyes widen, and her mouth opens slightly when she stops at the sight of me. But just as quickly as that all happened, she regains her composure and does what I do. She puts on a mask.

Fuck.

“Hey,” she says hesitantly, placing the box onto the counter before walking around toward the window display.

“Hey,” I reply, seeing that her tank top is open in the back, exposing her beautiful glowing skin.

I watch her as she removes thefor salesign.

“What’s up with that?” I nod in its direction.

She looks at it with disappointment. “Karen sold the place.”

“Oh,” I reply. I make small talk. “When did this happen?”

“Yesterday, actually.” She walks back to the counter and places the sign down.

“Where have you been?” I ask. “You’ve got a tan.”

She turns to me and crosses her arms. “Why are you here?”

Shit. This isn’t going to be easy.

I adjust my hat and rub the back of my neck. “I missed you.” I shock myself with my honesty.

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