Chapter 200
755 Words
Kat laughed. “Through Liv. She had this big photo shoot, and her usual hair guy totally flaked. Nigel called the salon where I work and begged my boss for help.”
“Nigel, her former assistant?”
“Yeah. He’s planning her wedding now.”
“Oh, right. I remember him now.”
“Anyway, I was new to Denver and didn't have many clients yet, so I was free that afternoon. I agreed to come on super-short notice and get Liv ready for the shoot. We talked, and hit it off, and I was so surprised, you know? I mean, she’s just never, ever had that bitchy celebrity personality, and she was so grateful that I helped her out… she paid me a huge bonus out of her own pocket and invited me for coffee. We became friends, and she asked me to her place for drinks one night and the girls were there. And that’s it, really.”
“They’re good people,” Jim said. “I like that they’re with my friends. I think the guys are the happiest I’ve ever seen them.”
“Yeah, the girls too.” Kat grinned, wanting to tease him a bit in return. “I guess that just leaves us to pair up, huh?”
“What?” Jim was staring at her. “You and me?”
His eyes were holding hers so intently, Kat blushed. “I’m joking, Jim. Obviously.”
A pause. Then Jim spoke quietly.
“Why are you joking?”
“What?” she said, her voice not quite steady.
“I mean, why not?”
“Why not you and me?”
“Yeah.”
“Uh… well…”
Just then, Jim’s cell rang. He cursed, dug it out of his jeans pocket. Kat sat and stared at him, wondering just what the hell she could say to his question.
“What’s up, Dallas?” Jim snapped, furious that the man had f*****g called right at that exact second.
Goddammit. When will a moment like that ever happen again?
“Jim.” Dallas’ voice was terse. “I know it’s getting late, but can I drop by and talk to you guys?”
“It can’t wait ‘til tomorrow?”
“Not really.”
Jim knew that tone, and he glanced at Kat. “Yeah, OK.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”
“Sure.” He disconnected, set the phone on the table. He felt Kat’s wide eyes searching his expression, looking for clues, and he kept his face impassive.
“What did Dallas want?” Kat asked.
“I’m not sure,” Jim said, his voice casual. “But he says he wants to talk to us.”
“When?”
“Right now.”
She blinked. “Why? What’s happened?” She got to her feet, suddenly panicked, spilling tea on the floor. “Is he – is he coming? Did he find me?”
“Hey, now,” Jim said, and got to his feet too. “I’m sure it’s nothing like that, OK? If it were, Dallas would have told me to get you out of here and to the safe room in his security firm. At the very least, he’d have told me to get my gun. He didn’t say any of that, so I’m sure the dickhead has no idea where you are. Alright?”
She didn’t seem to hear him. Her breathing was fast and short, her eyes had a faraway, almost glazed look that he didn’t like. Jim approached her carefully and touched her arm.
“Breathe, baby. Just breathe.”
“I – I’m scared.”
“I know.” Jim held her face in his hands, tried to get her to focus on him. “But I’m here with you, right? You’re safe, Kat, and I’m not letting anyone hurt you, not ever again. You hearing me?”
“Yeah.”
“Kat?”
“Yeah.” Her breathing slowed down. “Yeah, I hear you.”
“OK.” He gently lowered her the sofa, and sat next to her. “Now, relax. We’ll see what Dallas has to say before we decide to panic. You with me?”
“Uh-huh.”
“OK, good.” He held her hands, tried to take her shaking into his own body. “We’ll take it one step at a time, yeah? And we’ll do it together. All of us.”
- Writer
