AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. There’s more.”
“I thought there might be.”
I slumped my shoulders and fell back into my seat. “Katya and I—there’s something between us. Something real and amazing and electric, but…”
“But what?”
“But I feel like I’m all over the place man,” I said. “I’m confused about Sarah, and I feel guilty because she’s barely even been gone for six months.” I got up and walked over to the window at the back of Harry’s office. “It’s too soon, isn’t it?”
Harry came up behind me and put his hand on my shoulder. “Zane. Sarah would want you to move on and be happy. She wouldn’t want you dwelling on her memory and pining for her. You know that. As for what other people think, screw them. It isn’t their life and they don’t get a say.”
Still staring out the window, I let out another breath. “I know, but that isn’t the only problem. Katya is so young… She's only 21.”
Harry didn’t say anything for a few seconds, and when I looked back at him over my shoulder, I expected his expression to be one of judgment or admonishment. But instead, he offered me a kind smile and said, “Look, Katya is a smart, capable young woman. As long as you’re not putting pressure on her—”
“I would never do that,” I said.
“I didn’t think you would. I know you, Zane, and I know you wouldn’t be having these feelings for Katya if she wasn’t someone who truly excited you. It’s not just the sex, right?”
“No.” I shook my head. “It’s more than that. She makes me laugh, and I like hearing her thoughts on anything and everything. She’s smart, and she’s lived such a different life than I have, which I find thrilling, but I also want to protect her from all the pain of her past.”
“It sounds to me like you’ve found a woman who you find really engaging, and that you’re not just interested in her because she’s young and pretty.”
“I guess you’re right…”
“If that’s the case,” he said. “Then don’t worry so much about the age difference, because in all honesty, based on all the dumb shit you’ve pulled since you met her, it sort of sounds like you’re the immature one in the relationship.”
I laughed. “You’re not wrong.” Then I smiled at him. “Thanks, Harry. I really needed to hear all of that. And now, like the selfish friend that I am, I have to ask you for yet another favor.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Can you and Sloane watch Luca and Kenlee tonight? I’m taking Katya out for dinner.”
Harry smirked. “Well, since I was the one who just convinced you to see where this relationship might go, I sort of have to babysit for you while you go on your date, don’t I?”“You don’thaveto,” I said. “But you would possibly be ruining any chance I had at happiness in the future if you didn’t… so… there is that.”
“When you put it that way,” he said, walking me to the door. “Drop them off whenever. Sloane will be stoked.”
“Thanks, man. I owe you one.”
“At this point, you owe me like at least ten.”
###
When I got back to the room, I changed Kenlee’s diaper and put her down for a nap. My little tyrant was not wanting to cooperate so I used some of the tricks Katya taught me and before I knew it, she was snoring soundly. Who knew that a lavender diffuser and aSounds of the OceanCD could solve all my child’s sleep problems? I would have tried it months ago if I’d known. I suddenly realized that Katya was all alone when she had to figure it out with Luca. Not only that, she was a scared teenager who barely spoke English. When I really stopped to think about all that she’d been through, I was sure she was the strongest and bravest person I’d ever met.
And realizing that only made me want to get to know her that much more.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Katya
Iwentthroughmyday with an extra spring in my step. The thought of seeing Zane that night made it hard to focus. I hurriedly picked Luca up from daycare after finishing up at work and then headed to our room to relax for a while before getting ready. We were sitting on the sofa eating cookies, chatting about what Luca did at daycare, when my cell phone rang. At first, I was excited to see that Zane was calling me but that quickly turned to panic.
What if he was calling to cancel? What if he changed his mind about us?
I’d never know if I didn’t answer the phone, so I braced myself and took a breath before picking up. Sometimes I really hated my anxiety.
“Hello,” I finally managed to say.
