Page 34 of Every Single Broken Piece
The thought is fleeting as I walk back to my desk, where my phone is lying under a bunch of invoices. I only use the device for my social media accounts and rare calls with my agent.
I google the diner’s number and call in an order for three pizzas. I should’ve asked, but not knowing what Kelcie would prefer, I decide to go with a pepperoni, a Hawaiian, and one called “the Works,” which has just about every topping on it. Hopefully, she likes one of them.
While I’m waiting for Kelcie and the delivery, I make sure I’ve saved my manuscript on my laptop and a portable hard drive. Back when I started writing, I was hit with the blue screen of death when my laptop gave up the ghost and lost forty thousand words. It’s one mistake I’ll never make again.
Checking my emails, I clear out the spam and reply to an author asking to do a newsletter swap. I won’t be sending one to my followers anytime soon, so I decline politely.
Once I’m done, I shut off the laptop and take my phone with me as I head to the kitchen, where I keep my wallet and keys in a bowl filled with stuff I figure I might use at some point.
Kelcie appears in the doorway, and when Lick rushes past her to come inside, she says, “Sorry, she was with me while I showered.”
Lucky dog.
I take in the jeans and thin pink sweater Kelcie’s wearing and figure I can give her a jacket if she gets cold. Or I can hold her.
Stop it.
A knock at the front door draws our attention, and as I go to open it, I’m conscious of Kelcie behind me.
It feels good having her in my space.
I open the door and barely take in the woman holding the three pizza boxes.
“Hi,” she greets me with a friendly smile.
“Hi,” I mumble while pulling my black credit card from my wallet.
Kelcie steps closer, and it has the woman saying, “Oh my gosh, I took the order so I could pop over to your place to say hello after the delivery.”
“Hi, Waverly,” Kelcie says, her tone friendly. “How are you and the family?”
“We’re good.” Waverly pauses, a sad expression on her face. “We miss seeing you at the diner. How have you been?”
I take the boxes from her and go to set them down on the coffee table, then hang back until they’re done catching up so I can pay.
“I’m doing better.”
When Waverly reaches out to rub Kelcie’s arm, my entire body tenses, and I have to suppress the urge to grab her away from the woman.
I’m caught completely off guard by the unexpected emotion.
“... or not.” I catch the tail end of Kelcie’s sentence. “I can pay. I don’t mind.”
I move forward, and as I come up beside Kelcie, I place my arm around her shoulders and brush my hand up and down her bicep where she was just touched.
Wanting to get rid of Waverly, I quickly tap the card against the little machine in her hand and mutter, “Thanks.”
I pull Kelcie back with me as I put some distance between us and Waverly.
“I’ll see you around,” Waverly says while her eyes dart between Kelcie and me.
“Say hi to your mom for me and give Lucas a hug,” Kelcie replies, and as Waverly finally leaves, she shuts the door, then turns to look at me. “Are you okay?”
Realizing I’m still standing with my arm around her shoulders, I quickly let go and glance at the pizza boxes.
Fuck, I’m actually filled with disgust because someone touched Kelcie. It’s the exact same reaction I would have if Waverly put her hands on me.
It’s the first time something like this has happened, which tells me I’m already in over my head when it comes to Kelcie.
