Stories Of Paper: Unwritten Love

Chapter Eight- Katie

Chapter Eight

Katie

All the talk about giving soft porn to grannies believe it or not had inspired me. Don't you ever tell Nina that! That is a secret you must take to the grave. I have been writing all day. I have finally hit thirty thousand words. Angie was very pleased when I sent her a text with the news. I pull out my phone and open the text app, I feel happier with my accomplishments. I'll allow myself a break.

Me: I ate a protein bar for breakfast this morning.

Pete: What? Why?

Me: Was thinking about you. Felt like I needed an energy boost, I channeled Pete in my mind. With all those muscles you have I thought I made the right choice.

Pete: Thinking about my muscles? I think you made a very good choice.

Me: I meant about the protein bar!

Pete: That's not what I read….

~

Pete: Jax is refusing to wear clothes.

Me: Like he is running around the house in the nude?

Pete: Yes! He is driving me crazy. I make him put clothes on, when I turn around he is stark naked. Running around with his toys playing Paw Patrol.

Me: I would love to be a fly on the wall for that one.

~

Leaning over the sink, applying mascara to my lashes. Why do we open our mouths when we do this? It is physically impossible to apply it otherwise. Try it, I just did. I almost poked my eye out. Actually, I do not recommend it.

Slipping on my sundress that is yellow with a large sunflower on the bottom left side, it wraps around my curves, tight fitting, with a flair at the bottom, showing a bit more cleavage than I usually would. I pair it with some wicker wedges. Standing back from the mirror, I get all giddy. I spray my perfume into the air walking through it like they do in the movies. Thoughts flood me that I hadn't put my mind to. Pete is just minutes away, when we shared that passionate kiss, I lost myself in this man. Not sure how to greet him. Should I kiss him? Give him a hug? Wait for him to make the first move? Getting flustered, I can't believe I didnt think about this until now. Where is Nina when I need her? Pulling my phone out, thumb hovering over the call button. There is a knock at the door. I pace the room for a minute, trying to decide if I should call her. When he knocks again, I know I can't keep him out there waiting. I head to the door. I take a deep breath and open it.

I’m greeted by those beautiful blue eyes of his. They seem brighter than before. Little pools that draw me closer to him. I feel his eyes searing my skin with each pass. His beard is more full, black slim fitting t-shirt revealing the outline of his sculpted body, gray denim jeans hug his thighs. Without words I stood there taking him in. Pete leans in grabbing my hand, pulling me closer, he places a light kiss on my lips, not intense, soft, sweet, endearing even. The pit of my stomach clenches. Holding me in his arms “Katie, you look absolutely stunning tonight. That dress makes your eyes glimmer.” My pulse picks up. Heart fluttering. He takes my hand guiding me to the car. He opens the door for me, once I'm settled he makes his way to the drivers side.

As he pulls out of the driveway. “You look so handsome tonight.” I say feeling nervous. My voice wavers a bit. He reaches over the console and grabs my hand, squeezing it lightly. “Where are we off to tonight?” I say.

“It's a surprise.”

“Please just tell me that it's not going to involve donkeys or chickens.”

Pete smiles, turning to look at me “I can't make any promises.”

I playfully swatted at his arm “Hey, you said you promised!" My mouth gaping open, eyes almost bugging out of my head.

His lips curl up in that playful sinister way "I guess you will have to see if I uphold my promises or not."

He has this air about him that relaxes me. I know he is toying with me, he can be as playful and witty as I am. Not the norm for me, the way we engage is comforting. I feel like I have known him forever. We drive along in silence, still holding hands.

We travel down a windy dirt road, to the base of a mountain. Lights start to come into view. The closer we get I see there are posts set in the ground, string lights hanging and wrapping around them. A food truck in the middle, a few picnic tables lining the perimeter. Customers waiting in line at the front. Families and couples cuddled in their seats. It's a beautiful night.

Pete opens my door for me, grabbing my hand, helping me out. He places his hand on my lower back guiding me towards the line. Soft Spanish music playing in the background. Creating an ambiance, cheerful mood. We were about to the front of the line, I looked over the menu hanging on the side of the truck. Still not sure what I want.

Pete leans in to me "I recommend the shredded chicken burrito, it is to die for. I have tried almost everything here, nothing comes close to the burrito."

"Sounds like I need that in my life then."

Whispering in my ear "Do you mind if I order for you?" I gush. You can do whatever you want with me. Melting into his side. Fan myself.

"Of course."

Pete goes to the window, in Spanish he orders our burritos and sodas. We go to the pick up window, spices filter through the air, my stomach growls, not even a minute goes by until we are handed our order. Pete brings me to an empty table. He places our food in front of us. I unwrap my burrito, something I normally wouldn't choose to go out of my way for. You know it's sweet though. Enjoying the little food truck off the beaten path, I would have never guessed we would end up here. I didn't even know this place existed. Apparently his hidden jem. Picking up my burrito. I take a bite. Holy mother of pearls! Flavor bomb goes off in my mouth. The chicken marinated in God knows what, but I need the recipe. Little onions, garlic, black beans, and rice. There is a sauce I cannot pinpoint what it is, it's creamy, yellow, with a touch of heat. The perfect combination, refraining myself from inhaling the entire thing in one bite.

"You know the translation of burrito in Spanish is little donkey." Pete says with a smug look.

How did I know he would incorporate that? He keeps me on my toes. “I see what you did there. Get me all worked up, giving me hints that aren't really hints, testing me to see if I am really interested in going out with you.”

“Precisely.” He says as he takes a bite of his burrito. “Now I know you are into me.” He is very pleased with himself. “Go on, kiss the burrito. Your teeth will thank you later.”

I pull the burrito away from my face and exaggerate my puckering lips, kissing the burrito with a huge “Muuuaaahhh.” It's silly I know, but I can't help myself around him.

“Do you feel the magic happening yet?”

“Yes! My mouth is all tingly, I can feel those nubs growing into perfectly squared chicklets.”

“Glad I could help. Now come over here let me inspect this hair of yours. Where did you get it? It's so life-like. Full and fluffy.” Pete says as he bounces a lock of my hair in his hand.

“Oh this old thing?” I say bouncing it along with him. “It's raggedy but it does the job. Still in the market for an upgrade.”

His face relaxes, he grabs my hand. “On our next date I'll make sure we get you the best strands on the market.”

“Oh golly, gee! You really know how to woo a woman.” I say with my hand over my heart. Sharing a laugh. “You know I’m starting to think you may be sweet on me. Romantic nights, secret food trucks, promises of upgrading my locks, I wonder how a girl can get so lucky?”

Finished with our meal, sipping on our sodas, both of us picking at the chips and salsa they provide for every table. These have to be home made too. They are so good. “Can I ask you a serious question?” Pete says.

“Of course.”

“Where are you from?”

“Where am I from… humm… well everywhere I guess. My father was in the Marines, so was my best friend Nina's father. We lived in so many places we lost count. When our families finally settled down. They decided on Illinois. Nina and I hated it. It was so busy, congested you know. So I guess that's the long winded way for me to tell you I was born in Hawaii but never lived there.” I ramble while talking about myself. Never sure people are going to like the real me. I guess you could say I hide a bit behind the jokes. He doesn't even bat an eye at my long winded response. He just nods his head rubbing his scruff with the back of his hand.

“So where are you from?” I say.

“Born and raised right here in Whitefish.”

“I can see why you stayed, it's so beautiful here.”

“It is, I couldn't convince myself to leave when my parents moved to Florida.” Why wouldn't he follow them? A single dad, working long shifts, needs a good support system. I'll file that away with the others for now.

“How did you get to Whitefish?” Pete softly touches the small of my back, keeping his hand placed there.

“Well, wanting to be near our families is what kept us in Illinois for so long. Nina went to cosmetology school. I tried school out for a bit, never committing to a degree. It wasn't for me. So I took the leap of faith and brought my manuscripts to a publishing company, that's where I met Angie. She fell in love with me. We have been working together ever since. Then one day Nina and I confessed to each other that we still dreamed of moving to a small town in the country. We researched places together, Whitefish was the only place we agreed on. Taking the leap of faith, we boarded the plane. Three years later here we are.”

“You have always been a writer?”

“Yea, when I was a kid, I would tell stories. I liked to argue too, so when one of my parents' friends said That was a beautiful story sweetie, repeat that for me while I record it. I want to write this down later. I did just that. Wrote down all the stories floating around in my head. What about you? Did you always want to be a cop?”

“Yea, I guess I did. When I was a kid my dad owned a convenience store, so he had me help him with little things there. The entire town relied on him. He was like the unofficial mayor of Whitefish. Everyone respected him and his advice. You see, I was always getting into trouble as a kid, it was his way to "punish" me was to put me to work. I was upset about it at first. All I wanted to do was hang out with my friends. But the more time I spent there, the more I came to respect his ways. He taught me to help others. The joy on their faces became addicting.

When his store was robbed one night, the assailants killed two of his employees. Thankfully he was off that night. I knew what my calling was. To do whatever I could to help stop these tyrants from destroying lives. I channeled my rage into a purpose. I found those assailants, they got more than they deserved.”

“That is so sweet. Sounds like you made the best choice, by the looks of that smile plastered on your face.”

“I did. Now let's get going. I have another surprise for you.”