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She also knew that she wanted the impossible.
* * *
THAT NEXT WEEK seemed to go on forever. Mike worked. He spent time with Willie. He spent a lot of time trying to track down Kacey’s online stalker. He texted her all day long.
Spoke to her every night.
And could hardly keep himself from asking her to meet him at the motel next to Little’s for a quickie one evening. He might have actually let loose and given in to the daring, what-the-hell part of him that had been cooped up since his senior year of college, except that he knew a quickie would never be enough.
She’d told him every day that week that she was living for Friday. It had become a mantra to her. Not that they would be together Friday night. She’d be at Lacey’s. And he’d be home with Willie. But at least they’d have a chance to see each other, alone, in his office.
For an entire hour if he could work it that way.
He wouldn’t get in her pants there at the Stand—though the completely unprofessional idea was growing more appealing as the days passed—but he could look into her eyes. Touch her.
And then on Friday morning there was a lockdown at Willie’s high school—before first period. Before Mike had dropped off Willie. A threat had come by text message to several of the school board members—something that had been happening in increasingly alarming numbers across the country in recent months. In extreme precaution, all schools had been cl
osed until they could be searched.
The high school didn’t get the all clear in time for Willie’s first class. Mike texted Kacey, letting her know that he would be bringing Willie to the Stand with him. And that he’d keep her posted.
Just before her class was due to be out, Willie was still in his office, working on a computer that had been brought in for repair. It was the same make and model as Willie’s own, and he was making headway.
It just meant that Michael was not going to have time alone with Kacey. Disappointed, he texted her to let her know that they couldn’t meet. He said, once again, that he’d keep her posted.
He didn’t expect a response. She was in class and wouldn’t interrupt her time with the women to check her phone.
But he imagined her disappointment. And wondered if it would be anywhere near as acute as his.
* * *
KACEY WAS LATE finishing her class. And then later still due to a resident who’d stayed to speak with her. She’d lost track of time.
And hoped to hell that she still had a few minutes with Michael. Just long enough for one kiss. To reassure her that she hadn’t imagined the life he’d brought to her soul.
He’d texted earlier to say that his brother was already at the Stand. She hoped that meant that he’d have a little extra time to spend with her since he wouldn’t need to leave to go pick up Willie.
Grabbing her purse out of the cupboard where she kept it during class, she didn’t even bother checking messages—which showed how far gone she was, since she was never out of touch for more than an hour if she could help it—and made a dash for the computer building.
She came bearing no boxes of goodies, but if he was feeling anything like she was, the goodies he wanted wouldn’t fit in any little box she could carry.
Hurrying up to his door, she barely stopped to catch her breath. Didn’t care if she looked harried. She went right for the doorknob. Heart fluttering madly as the latch gave, she burst into the room. “Oh, good, I was afraid I’d be too late...”
She stopped. Her feet. Her words.
Her air.
Michael was there. She felt his presence. Could see him rise from behind his desk.
But it wasn’t Michael who’d taken her wind.
Her joy. Her life.
“You.” One word. That was all she could get out.
The teenager stood, looking like he might be sick. If she hadn’t already been as certain as the beat of her heart that she was facing one of her attackers, she’d have known by the look on his face.
Stark fear. Guilt.
