I wonder what she’s doing today. If I had to guess, knowing her, it is picking out last-minute bonus gifts for her family. She seems like the person who would remember the smallest detail of a conversation from months or even years ago. And then use that to conjure up a gift that would bring tears to your eyes, one that you wouldn’t forget for a very long time.
She looked incredible when she left the house moments before us. She was wearing a white cashmere sweater with tight black leggings and a cute pair of white heeled booties. I would say white is her color, but I have yet to find a color that doesn’t look like it was made for her. Loose waves of blonde hair flowed over her shoulders and bright red lipstick decorated her lips.
My chest tightens in a surge of unexpected anxiety. It feels awfully similar to fear. Fear that what she means to me might not be as short-lived as I once thought. Or that they cannot be simply forgotten.
I wonder if she’s thinking about me right now while she’s out and about. That thought stays in the forefront of my mind the entire drive.
As we pull up to the one-story brick building, I can’t help but acknowledge how inviting it is. Icicles hang from the roof alongside warm lights. Someone is holding the door open and helping an older man inside, who is struggling to walk, using his cane.
The car turns into a parking spot, and the engine shuts off. My heart begins to race with a slew of emotions. Guilt that I don’t do this more often. Happiness that I’m here to help. Anxiety that I almost stayed in a shelter in much worse conditions than this one. Confusion on how much of myself I have to give to others for a debt I never intended to owe. One that was never asked to be repaid. Weight pushes on my chest as we exit the car and walk toward the entrance.
“Are you feeling okay?” Nancy asks, slowing a few steps to match my pace.
Well, at least I know where Noelle got her intuitive nature from.
Nodding, I reply, “Yes, of course. Just tired, I think.”
Nancy smiles at someone who walks by. “If it’s anything else, you can always talk to me. I hope you know that.”
A warm shiver rakes over my shoulders at her kind offer. I nod my head, unable to think of the right thing to say.
Ben opens the door, and we all follow him into the building. The person I saw holding the door open when we arrived walks up to us.
“It is great to see you guys again. How have you been?” she asks with a beaming smile stretched on her face.
Nancy steps up to her and pulls the young woman into a hug, saying something to her that I can’t quite make out.
When they pull apart, I notice the lanyard around her neck with a name tag dangling from it.Kelly.
She looks up to me almost immediately, smiling. “We have a new face here today. I’m Kelly. I help get our guests checked in to our facility and assist them in getting settled in. How do you know the Evergreens?”
The way she saysthe Evergreensfeels off, not in a negative way, but her tone has a level of respect to it. They must volunteer here a lot.
Also, this is the first time someone other than her family is asking about my relation to Noelle or her family. I have to say the truth—at least, the truth that her family knows. “I’m dating Noelle. My name is Kat.”
Tingles run down my sternum. That felt natural. I mean, as natural as it can, stating that you’re dating someone you’re not really dating. But it felt … good.
Kelly seems to stand up straighter at my words, and if I’m not mistaken, a slight blush reddens her cheeks, and her eyes widen slightly.
“Oh, wonderful. It’s great to meet you. Have a good day, guys! I’d better help this guest.” She walks toward the door and greets a woman who walks inside, accompanied with a little girl.
I can’t tell what made her leave so fast—the arrival of the guests or what I said.
I remain confused as I follow Nancy.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t too sure if Kelly would be here today.”
Officially, I have never been more confused by a situation than I am right now. “Am I missing something?”
Nancy looks at me with surprise and shock. “Did Noelle not tell you? Kelly and Noelle used to see each other. For a little over a year, I would say.”
Jealousy rolls through my body from the thoughts invading my mind. Kelly haskissedmy Noelle. Well, shit, she’s probably done much more than that. My heart races, and my palms sweat. I rarely, if ever, felt jealousy with Nic. If anything, I was thankful when someone stole his attention because at least then, I would get a break.
It feels like an anger and vulnerability cocktail. I don’t like it one bit. But I can’t seem to shake it or the images of them together. Have they sat on the counter where we have? Has Noelle kissed her like she kisses me?
“I’m sorry, Kat. Maybe it wasn’t my place to say. I just assumed Noelle had mentioned it,” Nancy sincerely says.
I shrug and shake my head. “It’s okay! She might have mentioned it. Perhaps I just forgot.”
