Page 5 of Dare To Kiss You
My breathing rate gradually slows as I practice the mental grounding exercises my therapist Audrey has taught me over the years.
With the eventual return to a calmer state of mind comes an unwelcome reminder of my reality.
It doesn’t matter if Kat is single now. Sawyer said it himself: there’s no way a small-town cop who’s a mental nutcase and almost flunked out of high school could ever deserve someone like her.
Chapter three
Kat
“Kat, can you take this salad to table three, please?”
“You betcha.” I plaster a smile on my face that probably does nothing to hide my exhaustion from staying up way too late studying last night. Picking up the white ceramic bowl piled with organic greens and vegetables, I make my way over to the table, weaving through a packed Camille’s café. I set the food down in front of the customer who ordered it, stifling a yawn.
I definitely should not have picked up these extra shifts, not right before the winter exam period for my master’s degree in nursing. And definitely not when I’ve had a hard time sleeping these last couple of months, ever since the fateful day I found out Tyson was cheating on me. Hearing my ex say someone else’s name and hearing the telltale slap of skin on skin isn’t something I’ve been able to forget. Talk about nightmare inducing.
“Hey, Kitty Kat!”
My hand fumbles the water glass I’m carrying back to the counter to be washed, and it drops to the floor, thankfully only breaking into a few large pieces.
“Shit,” I mumble as I drop to the floor to start cleaning up the mess. I was really hoping not to see Hunter, today of all days, with my unwashed hair and bags under my eyes. Although, truth be told, I’ve been actively avoiding him as much as possible for almost two months.
Not so easy when you live next door to the person you’re trying to avoid.
It’s not fair to him, I know. He has no idea the mental turmoil I’ve put myself through since breaking up with Tyson. The guilt I felt at first that a teeny tiny part of me was relieved to end things with him, and the instant connection my mind drew between that guilt and my attraction to Hunter. Was it karma? Did the universe somehow know about my crush, and that’s why I got to witness my ex cheating on me?
Logically, I know it’s not true. Tyson was just a douche canoe. But still.
The last thing my heart needs is to get wrapped up in someone else. I need to focus on school, and that’s it. After all, school can’t hurt me the way a man could. I don’t have to worry about whether school feels the same for me as I do for it.
“Whoa Kat, careful, don’t cut yourself.” Warm hands cover mine and I force myself to meet what I know are beautiful brown eyes, full of life and enthusiasm, as always.
As soon as I see his smile, the skin where we’re connected starts to tingle. It all happens in a matter of seconds, but I snatch my hand away.
“I’m fine. Sorry. Just clumsy, you know?” I ramble, standing up quickly. But of course, Hunter’s standing at the same time, and my head collides with his chin.
“Easy there, Kitty Kat.” He laughs, but I’m too busy trying not to focus on how incredible it feels to have his hands steadying me. “You gotta stop trying to injure yourself around me or I’m gonna think it’s my fault.” His eyes are teasing and full of light.
I wish they were full of something else…something…dirty.
Oh my God. I mentally slap myself. This is exactly why I’ve been avoiding him.
“Sorry.” I dump the broken glass in the garbage and reach for the dustpan and brush to finish the cleanup. “Are you staying in to eat today?”
“Nah, I gotta pick up for a few others today.” Hunter smiles widely at me, a lock of his unruly hair falling over his forehead. Just like every other time I see it, I clench my fists to stop myself from pushing it back for him.
“Oh, okay. Did someone phone in the order?” I ask over my shoulder as I make quick work of finishing the cleanup. Hunter sinks onto one of the stools and watches me as I make my way back behind the long counter he normally sits at. His elbows land on the counter, hands propping his head up. God, he really is adorable. I forgot how easy it is to just talk to him and how good it feels to be around his upbeat energy.
“Leo did. So, are you ready for Christmas? I noticed the Singhs already have their lights up. It’s still November, crazy early; am I right?” He winks, and I can’t help but smile
“They’re early every year. I wait till December. And as for being ready, nope, definitely not. But I will be once I get through exams,” I say with a sigh as I start preparing the bag that will contain all the food he’s taking back to the station.
Hunter winces. “How many do you have?”
“Just three. But one is in pharmacological interventions, and I amnotlooking forward to it.”
“Dr. Donnelly is on her way,” he teases, and I shake my head.
“Not doctor. My brother can be the doctor in the family; I’m happy with Kat Donnelly, nurse practitioner. And I’m a long way from that,” I correct.
