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KATE
My alarm clock woke me at five am as usual, but this morning was anything but usual. The first thing I thought of was Hudson. I remember crying, like ugly crying, in his arms last night, but no idea how I ended up in bed. Then, I find his note on my bathroom mirror, and I totally freaked out. Like, hyperventilating type of freaking out.
Yesterday, I was weak. Last night, I was even weaker. What was I thinking, crying on his shoulder? What was I thinking telling him about the fire? Besides my grandmother and the investigators, the only other person on this earth that I’ve talked about the fire to is Grace.
And now, he leaves a note about having lunch together? Oh no. Actually, I may move my shop so that I’m no longer near the fire station, because I surely can’t go back there.
And what is his issue with carrying me around? I’m no itty bitty that you can just toss around. I’m a thick girl. Big girl. Guys like Hudson don’t pick up, in any sense of the word, girls like me.
And why didn’t he stay last night? He had no problem the other night. Wait. Why would you want him to stay, Kate? It’s not like you’re dating him or anything. Get your head on straight.
All those questions kept rolling around in my head on my way to the shop and are still there as I’m putting everything together before opening. Good thing this is all second nature to me, or I might have accidentally put flour in the sugar containers.
“Morning.” Chloe calls from the backdoor, startling me.
I turn to look at her, “Morning.”
“Oh crap. You, okay?” Chloe asks as she puts on her apron.
“Yes, why? What’s wrong with the way I look?” I wipe away at imaginary flour on my face.
She shakes her head, “No, you look fine, just really, really flushed.”
“Oh. Um. I was, ah, cleaning earlier.” I lie trying to convince myself that I was not thinking about Hudson.
She laughs, but I don’t think she believes me. “Okay, boss.” She grabs the tray of pastries that I just took out of the oven and starts placing them in the display case.
The two of us work the morning rush for the next few hours until there is finally a lull in the morning. This is the time between breakfast and lunch and the best time for me to call Grace.
“Hello, my friend.” She answers immediately.
“Yeah. Hi. I need your help.” I say in a hushed voice as I look around to make sure Chloe can’t hear me.
“Okay. With what?”
I tell Grace everything that happened yesterday and last night and then the note this morning.
“So, what’s the problem. Why do you need my help? Call the guy and have lunch.”
“Ugh. No, you don’t get it.” I grumble in aggravation.
“Get what? The guy is obviously into you. Go out with him and see what happens.”
I sigh deeply in complete frustration, “I can’t go out with him!”
“Why?”
“Why? Why? Because… he’s…”
“He’s what, Kate? Hot, built like a mountain? A good and respectable guy?” Grace asks while I can hear her laughing tone.
“Yes. Yes, to all of that. Grace. You know why I can’t. Plus, I’m sure I’m not his type.”
“Okay. So, what’s his type?” She asks me the most ridiculous questions sometimes.
“Ah. Not me. He’s fit, handsome, huge. I’m not fit, I am huge, but not in the same way.”
“Stop right there. If you’re going to bash yourself, I’m hanging up. I won’t listen to it. You’re beautiful, inside and out. And you deserve to be happy, Kate. Go out with the guy.”
