Overnight, as sleep eludes him, the details of those last few days of his life slowly trickle back to him, like his second near-death encounter has broken something loose.
Kate stirs. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“Memories,” he says. “Go back to sleep.”
“Tell me about them,” she counters.
She nestles into his chest, and he speaks.
“When I first woke, I thought I’d just met with an investor, but that was the day before. I was with my team celebrating before I went to the airport.” He recalls vague images of their faces smiling ear to ear, congratulating him on the payoff of his bold plan. “I just closed a deal with one of the Broch children, Evan, I think. We had very similar ambitions. He and his brothers owned a full city block in Brooklyn. Another on the Upper East Side. Another in Chelsea. I pitched the demo of the entire block and the planned development of mini communities. My team even suggested repurposing some of the salvaged building materials, so it would have an authentic feel. Sadly, a few beloved community establishments had to go.” Kate clears her throat, interrupting him, so he adds, “Which I would now be more considerate about demolishing?”
Kate giggles. “Good enough.”
He continues. “Evan came ready to sign, and I think I was practically drooling when the blue ink met the paper. That day was the happiest of my life—until now.”
How he was before makes him cringe. It’s only been a few months, but he feels so removed from that version of himself. The future has changed him.Katehas changed him. And he is better for it.
“That’s sweet,” Kate says, yawning, and he wonders if she understands the significance.
“It was the biggest moment of my career, and I’d trade all of it again for the life we’ll build together,” he says, but at this point her even breathing suggests she’s fallen asleep again. He chuckles, drawing her close.
His purpose has inextricably shifted. He has his relationship with Kate, friends—realfriends. Not the NHOS issued Project: LEN FRIENDS garbage Kate told him about. And he has a business that provides services that actually help people—save lives, even. He didn’t know life could be like this.
When he wakes next, Kate isn’t beside him.
“Kate?” he calls, hoping she hasn’t gone far. The bathroom light illuminates the room with a soft yellow glow.
She pops her head out, and his heart seizes.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hi,” he replies.
“So, you’d trade it all, then?” she asks, giving him a heart-melting smile.
“All of it,” he says, sitting up, taking her in as she steps into the bedroom. She heard his late-night confession after all. His heart is in his throat as she makes her way to him.
Her auburn hair tumbles in uncharacteristic flowing waves down her bare shoulders. Her makeup is minimal, which only makes her look hotter. The white cotton panties and the impossibly soft-looking camisole show only an inch of stomach, and her feet are bare. “Holy fuck.”
“Do you like it?” she asks.
“Fuckyes, I like it, Kate. You are my waking fantasy.”
She gives him a bashful grin, and he can’t help but wonder how she doesn’t know how insanely gorgeous she is. How sweet and smart and perfect. How she doesn’t need all the elaborate and ornate clothing of this time to enhance what he sees. He’s so glad she hasn’t picked out any of that. What she’s wearing suits her perfectly.
“I did a little research about lingerie from your time, and I thought you might like this.”
Sweet fucking Kate. He is rock hard, and they aren’t even touching. Like she knows she’s utterly paralyzed him, she walks forward. He crawls to the edge of the bed, kneeling as she comes to stand before him.
“James?” she asks, hesitating.
“What’s the date?” he asks.
She grins. “December 25th.”
“Did you know that during my time, today would have been Christmas?” he asks, just now placing them on the calendar.
“I may have read that,” she says, coyly.
