That Day, Karen Deen [early readers .txt] 📗

it’s good for you to get out in the fresh air and not be sitting at a desk every day. Then I’ll judge if you’re as good as you are claiming to be. What do you say?” There’s mischief in his voice.

“You don’t believe I can do it, do you?” I sit up straighter in my chair as my computer screen shines bright with my latest book cover as the background. Two days ago, I thought that cover model was the hottest guy I’d seen, hence why I put him on my book. I smile to myself now, knowing a certain builder totally destroys him on the hotness rating scale.

His voice rumbles through the phone, “Hmmm, well, the only way to prove it is to put your money where your mouth is. Let’s make a wager. You show me you can hold your own at work with me and I’ll pay for dinner at the restaurant of your choice.” He’s all cocky in his words.

“Deal. Wait to be amazed.” Fuck, what the hell did I just agree to? The building doesn’t worry me, it’s the dinner. That sounds awfully like a date. Nope, it’s just a meal with a friend. Right! That’s all we are, buddies. Plus, he has to be put through punishment too.

“Don’t forget your part of the deal,” I remind him. “I want a story from you. Plus, you need to write the handbook to friendship, then I get to edit it instead. I’m afraid your version will have some serious flaws in it. Like dinners that are just two friends eating a meal together, right?” I say, half asking and half telling him that’s how it is.

“Of course. We definitely wouldn’t call it that name that starts with a D, because that wouldn’t be in your handbook, would it.” His chuckle makes me relax a little. “Prepare for the next bestseller in my story. It’s going to race up the charts and blow your mind.”

“Can’t wait. I’m dying with anticipation.” Coco’s bark at the back door lets me know that me waking her up now has her wanting to be let outside to go to the toilet.

“Was that Coco barking? Everything okay?” I love the concern in his voice.

“Yeah, she just needs to be let outside for a minute. I better go. But Kurt...” I say, hesitating a little.

“Yes?”

“Thank you for worrying about me. It’s been a long time since anyone has done that.” I can hear Coco coming to look for me, which means she is getting impatient.

“That’s what friends do, they care, Asha. Rule number one in my handbook—take care of your friend.”

“Well, I can’t wait to read the other rules. Hey there, girl.” I pat the top of Coco’s head as she nudges my leg. “Got to run, Kurt, otherwise I will have a mess to clean up. Thanks again, and I’ll see you around.”

“You can count on that, Asha. Sleep tight. Talk tomorrow.”

“If you’re lucky. Bye.” I laugh at him as I hang up. His competitive nature that I can already see in his personality will take that as a challenge, to make sure he does see me around somewhere. Deep down, maybe that was what I was trying for, making sure I get to see or chat with him again, sooner rather than later.

“Come on, Coco, let’s get you sorted so I can get back to my desk. My beating heart has some emotions that it wants to get out in the form of words. So, make it quick, okay?” Trotting out not far off the porch steps, onto the wet grass, she quickly squats and then scurries back to me. “Good girl, now go back to bed. Mommy has some work to do.”

I lock up the door again and grab a water bottle, ready for a few more hours, and grabbing the chocolate cookies, because a woman needs sustenance while she works. I walk to the window of my dark office, just wanting to stare out at Kurt’s house for that little bit longer, and I wonder what he’s doing now.

Is he watching me too?

What is he wearing? Is he dressed or maybe standing there in boxers, chest bare? Oh, the visual.

Right, get to it, woman!

Paint the picture of what you are imagining and feeling, because it will only ever be a story of what could have been. Live through your words.

Turning on the light, I sit with my fingers on the keyboard, and it starts to pour out.

Not my current book, but something new.

Kurt.

The beginning of an imaginary life.

My water bottle is empty, the cookies are all eaten, and pages of feelings have been written.

For the first time since I started writing, I know I will never show anyone this document.

It’s purely for me.

My journal.

A place to say the words, tell the feelings, and dream the dreams that can never become reality.

I shut down my computer, turn off the light, and take that one last look out into the night. The houses are all dark, except for that one. Standing like a lone soldier in the blackness, just watching me.

My phone buzzes in my hand.

Kurt: Goodnight

Asha: Night, hope you find sleep tonight.

Kurt: You too.

I know I should be cautious, but I can’t feel one bit worried about Kurt.

Surely there have to be some good people in this world.

Yet I know I will be keeping him a secret from Davina, my Federal Marshall, for a while. Otherwise, the bubble will burst, and she will take him away from me too.

The day I entered the WITSEC program for witness protection, I knew my life would change forever.

What I didn’t realize was that they would never let me live a normal life here either.

Until today, I didn’t understand fully what I was missing out on.

Falling in love… just another thing I lost that fateful night. The all-consuming storm of more than just rain.

It’s a price I’m paying for someone else’s debt.

Kurt, you are my secret. In this world full of