Katie tried to get comfortable in her small bed, but the excitement of the past few hours had her mind spinning. She heard Mitch’s relaxed, heavy breathing. Maybe a couple of aspirin would help her relax. She tiptoed into the kitchen to get some water.
“Are you okay?” Mitch sat up just enough to see Katie.
“Can’t get to sleep, and I didn’t mean to wake you up.” She grabbed a glass of water. “I’m going to take some pain pills to see if it will help.”
“I wasn’t asleep, just deeply relaxing.”
“Doubt it. Your slight snores are cute.”
“Take your pills and come back to see me.”
Katie did as she was told, and with unguarded emotions, went back to the couch.
Mitch scooted to the back of the couch. Katie knew what he wanted. She lay in front of him, his arm wrapped around her, and they went to sleep.
***
Katie rolled over and woke to the smell of bacon and eggs. She rose to her knees and saw Mitch’s bare back. He only had his jeans on. She hadn’t seen him without a shirt on before but wished she had. Firm shoulder muscles stretched when he turned over the bacon and eggs. Katie couldn’t believe she’d slept with him and nothing happened. He was a rare find and she liked his body. She would like to see all of it.
Mitch sensed the stare and looked around. “Morning. Breakfast is almost ready. It’s seven o’clock and I’ve got to be at work at eight. If you want, I can drop you off.” He turned back around and finished the cooking. “And if you’re curious why I’m shirtless, it’s because of invisible holes in the bacon and grease leaked out on my shirt. I hand washed it and it’s hanging to dry in the shower.”
“I was hoping for a Chippendale dance before breakfast.” Katie stood and slapped a hand over her mouth. Oh my gosh, I am so embarrassed. She headed toward the bathroom. “It’s okay, I can drive.” Katie took a quick shower, pulled her shoulder length brown hair back into a ponytail, and sprinted to her bedroom with a towel wrapped tightly around her. She put on a pair of jeans and a turquoise-colored shirt.
Katie went back to the bathroom, took out her hairdryer and dried Mitch’s shirt the best she could. She took it to Mitch and put it over his head. He put his arms through the armholes and Katie finished pulling the shirt down.
“Smells good. Why the special treat? It’s my place and I should be the one doing the cooking.” Katie sat at the already set table.
Mitch tucked in his shirt and placed the food in the middle of the table. “I like to cook and was in the mood. Orange juice?”
“Yes, please.”
He filled a glass with ice, poured the juice, and sat. “I’m serious about what I said last night. I want you to believe it.”
She swallowed a couple times to get the nerve to say what was on her mind. “I forgot to ask why you’re not married, or if you were, or if you have a girlfriend.”
Between bites, he eyed Katie. “I did have a serious girlfriend I would’ve spent my life with when I lived in Nevada. I’m sure it would have worked out and been great overall, but her family was wealthy. So wealthy, I stopped going to visit her. My clothes looked dull compared to what they wore, and her mother would have made all of our decisions as a married couple. She wanted to make sure I was the right guy who could handle all the money her daughter would inherit. That I was worthy of marrying her daughter and starting a family.” He drank some orange juice.
“I couldn’t handle being watched over. Valerie, my ex, was nice and great to be with. But when I graduated from the police academy, she didn’t want to move to Idaho or change her lifestyle.”
He stood, took his plate to the sink, and ran water over it. “I’ve got to go home and get my work clothes.” He grabbed his jacket, waved, and left.
Oh gosh, did I scare him off? I figured if he knew my past, I should know his. Maybe he wasn’t ready or he may still love her.
***
Katie got to work a little after eight. Melanie was already there. She was a great friend but Katie wasn’t sure she would understand her mixed feelings. She walked to her desk and dropped her purse.
“Katie. Hi. Got some to die for donuts from Mike’s Donuts in the breakroom, go and grab a few.” She followed Katie to the breakroom, where she put her lunch in the fridge.
“You have a different look. Let me guess. It’s not a ‘just had sex’ look, but a ‘confused comfort’ look. Am I right?” She sat and grabbed a donut. “And this is the fourth day in a row you’ve brought frozen lasagna. You’re going to turn into a noodle soon.” Melanie stared at Katie. “Something doesn’t seem right with you. No happy hello this morning. What’s going on?”
Katie finished putting her lunch in the fridge and sat. “Someone threw a rock through my window last night while I was at Mitch’s house. It wasn’t from the park. The rock was big. Mitch slept over…” She looked at the table.
“He what? You slept with Mitch?
“No, no.” She shook her head. “I went to my parents’ and they were gone, so when I came back to my place, I asked if I could just cover the hole and stay. He slept on the couch.”
Melanie’s jaw dropped. “You made him sleep on the couch?”
“He volunteered to stay the night in case another rock flew through my window. He knew the couch was big enough for him.” She blushed.
“I bet you both wanted more. Am I right?”
“Yes and no.” Katie grinned and shrugged at the same time. “We were talking this morning and something I asked or said must have upset him because he hurried to finish his breakfast and left.”
“I’m sure you did nothing wrong. You do have unique, off-the-wall ideas at times, but you never say anything hurtful or bad.” She stood. “Let’s get to work. We’ve got lots of claims to attack and Brenda, Shawna, and Heidi are over at the office in Boise taking some insurance classes so they can get as intelligent as you. It’s you and Fred today. It could be a long day if we don’t get to it.” She smiled, went into her office, and shut the door.
Joy, more hours, more money. Not sure if I’m ready for a long day after the episode last night and this morning, and I’m not in the mood to joke around with Fred. He’s good at sensing something is wrong and will want to take care of it in a fatherly way.