Page 90 of Protecting Kelli
Kelli laughed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Just checking.”
“Hey, Kelli,” Smiley said in his gruff way. “I like what you’ve done with the place,” he joked.
Kelli chuckled. “You mean cleaned it?” she asked. When she and Flash had moved in, the place looked like a tornado had hit it. Smiley was obviously not a very orderly person. But now there wasn’t one thing out of place. It was spick-and-span. She’d cleaned the apartment from top to bottom…it was one way to keep busy during her long, boring days alone.
Looking around, Kelli figured Smiley was probably wincing inside at the shape of his apartment, how different it looked from when he’d seen it last. No dirty dishes in the sink, no mail piled up on the counter, and two blankets folded neatly and hanging off the back of the couch. She’d even straightened his bookcase and alphabetized the books by the last name of each author.
“Yeah, that,” Smiley said. Then he stepped forward and gave her a hug as well.
Kelli was surprised. Smiley wasn’t a touchy-feely kind of guy, and him being so…well…nice, made her feel guilty all over again. He’d been desperately trying to find Bree, andshe was keeping the fact that she’d been here, in his apartment, using his shower, his washer and dryer, a secret from the man.
She felt like shit. She was a horrible friend.
Suddenly, guilt threatened to overwhelm her.
Luckily, Smiley didn’t seem to notice. He stepped back and said, “I’ll just go and pack some stuff.”
The second he disappeared down the hallway, Flash wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.
“Nothing, why?” Kelli asked.
“Because you seem…tense all of a sudden.”
She sighed and turned around to face him. “I’m okay. I’m just feeling a little stir-crazy today. It’s a beautiful day and I’m stuck inside.”
Flash frowned. “When’s the last time you were outside?”
Kelli gave him a look.
“Right. I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not truly understanding how difficult this is for you sooner.”
“It’s fine. I’m safe, and that’s all that matters.”
“That’snotall that matters,” Flash disagreed. “Your mental health is important too. And more than just feeling safe. I never want you to feel as if you’re trapped.”
“You said Ryleigh is getting closer to finding Brant, right?” Kelli asked.
“Yes.”
“So, it won’t be too much longer then. Hopefully.”
“Hopefully. I still want to go to that Thai place youmentioned this morning, but maybe we’ll go to the beach first instead of after. Let you get some sun on your cheeks. Some outdoor therapy.”
“I’d love that,” Kelli said with a smile. Just the thought of being able to sit in the sand, feel the breeze on her face, made her happy.
Ten minutes later, Smiley came out of his bedroom with three large duffle bags.
Kelli giggled. “Did you pack everything you own?” she asked.
“Not sure how much longer I’ll be gone, figured I might as well get it all now.”
Flash walked up to him and took one of the bags. “I’ll help you carry these down.”
