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Chapter Ten
“What’re you doing here? I thought you had to work.”
I smiled at Kate, then leaned in and kissed her on the lips as soon as I had the chance. “It’s too hot to work today, so my folks gave me and Dustin the day off.”
“That was nice of them.”
“We can’t do much when it gets like this. We would’ve worked on the church’s plumbing, but that’s been put off until tomorrow.”
“So instead of relaxing, you came to work with me.”
“I wouldn’t say that, but I’m happy to help.” Especially not if it meant eating some of the product once it was done.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said as we walked into the back. “I have a huge shipment coming in, so if you don’t mind counting inventory, I can focus on the front.”
“Shouldn't Nora do that?” She had to have been better by now, right?
“She’s taking one more week for herself.”
“That must’ve been one hell of a surgery.” If there was one.
“I don’t think she’s ready to come back. She’s fine, don’t get me wrong, but she’s started focusing on other hobbies as well.”
“It’s about time she paid more attention to herself.” The way Nora ran this place, it was a wonder she didn’t run herself into the ground.
“To be honest, I’d like her to come back part-time so she can ease into things, but knowing her…” Kate let out a long breath, then pressed her hands into the counter.
“Hey, it’s all right. Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”
Kate nodded but didn’t say anything for a long unnerving moment. When she finally spoke, the pain in her voice almost broke my heart. “I’m sorry about Friday night.”
“Sorry?’ What did she have to be sorry about?
“I knew this was coming. Nora’s been doing all sorts of things at home.”
“But?”
“I feel like I took advantage of you.”
“No.”Never.She’d never do that to me.
“I pushed you into something.”
“You didn’t push me, Kate. I was the one who asked you out, remember?”
“But we’ve started something we can’t continue.” Tension bunched in her shoulders.
“And we don’t have to.” When she looked at me, I managed the best smile that I could. “Friday was amazing. It’s something I’ll always look back on.”
“But?” Kate’s face was red, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.
“We knew this was temporary going in.” Though I’d hoped to have more time.
“I know, and normally, I’d be fine, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like I’ve done something wrong. I miss my apartment, my mom, and my friends back home, but being here with you?” Her voice cut out as she collapsed in my arms. “I don’t want to go.”
