Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 13826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 69(@200wpm)___ 55(@250wpm)___ 46(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 69(@200wpm)___ 55(@250wpm)___ 46(@300wpm)
Kate sat in silence, knowing how crazy her actions had been even before Faith had laid it all out in stark words.
“Who are you running from?” Faith asked, her voice softer now. “Is it from Nick? Or from yourself?”
Kate expelled a long breath of air and lay her forehead on the cold car window. “I woke up warm and happy …” Her body aligned with Nick’s and sore in all the most delicious places. She’d taken one look at his face, gorgeous even in sleep, and a swell of emotion hit her hard.
In that moment, she knew she loved him. If she were really honest, she’d known it going into the night. Their together merely reinforced the overwhelming feelings she already felt for him.
“I panicked,” she admitted to Faith. “I’ve never felt that way. I never thought I could feel so much. And if Nick wasn’t in as deep, or he was but hurt me one day –” She didn’t finish the sentence.
“Life is about risks,” Faith said, her hand stroking the back of Kate’s hair. “You take them, or you live in the sad state of longing and limbo that you’ve been in most of your life. Is that better than reaching for love and doing everything in your power to keep it?”
Kate raised her head and met her best friend’s gaze. “When did you become so smart?”
Faith grinned. “Oh, about the time I picked you as my best friend back in third grade.”
Kate shook her head and laughed, grateful for Faith, her friendship, and her ability to talk reason in the face of Kate’s craziness. “I’m not sure what I’d do without you.”
“Same here. Good thing we’ll never have to find out. So what’s your plan now?” Faith asked.
Kate shrugged. “Go inside, shower, pull myself together, and then find a very special man and tell him that I love him.”
A bright smile lit Faith’s face. “Well then. My job here is done. I can go home to my husband and hope he’s still in bed.”
Kate laughed, feeling lighter than she could ever remember. Now she just had to hope she hadn’t pissed Nick off so badly, he wasn’t willing to listen when she bared her heart and soul.
Chapter Eight
Kate showered and washed her hair, rushing through her routine because every minute that passed gave Nick more time to think about how he’d woken up alone—and more time to decide she wasn’t worth any more effort.
She swallowed over the lump in her throat and pushed down the case of nerves developing inside her. Faith was right. Nick had gone all out to show her what she meant to him.
And Kate had thrown it back in his face. Often. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. She dried her hair quickly, but before she had a chance to put on a light coating of makeup, her doorbell rang.
No doubt Faith decided she’d better make sure Kate didn’t chicken out on her plans. “You could have just trusted me,” Kate said at the same time she swung open her door.
“Not until you give me a reason,” Nick stated.
“You!”
“Who else were you expecting?” he asked with an angry look on his handsome face. “Don’t you think you owe me an explanation for why I woke up alone?” His voice rose, and he didn’t bother to contain his fury . . . or his hurt.
“Come in,” she said, reaching for his hand. She didn’t want her neighbors overhearing her personal drama.
He let her pull him into her inside and shut the door behind him. He’d come right from a shower, his hair still damp, razor stubble giving him a rougher than usual appearance.
But the pain in his eyes was unmistakable, and guilt rode her hard. “Of course, I owe you an explanation and I was getting ready to come over.”
His gaze ran from her bare feet and legs to the short robe she’d hastily tied on. Appreciation flared in his dark eyes before he pulled his attention off her body and wariness settled back in his gaze. “I’m listening.”
Her mouth grew dry. Thinking about admitting her feelings was different than actually doing it. He hadn’t said the words yet but he’d certainly shown her with his actions. Now it was her turn.
She still held his hand and tugged him toward the couch. He sat down, and she eased down beside him, curling one leg beneath her.
“When I woke up, I was disoriented. The only thing that registered was how warm and happy I was. How peaceful and I thought, wow, I could get used to waking up feeling like this.”
His expression softened, and she continued.
“Then I opened my eyes and saw you there. Asleep. And I panicked.” She glanced down, embarrassed by her actions. “I panicked. Then I ran.”
* * *