“I can't.” She stammers out. “I'm going for a walk.”
I don’t stop her. I should, because she shouldn’t be out there on her own, but she also knows the area better than I do, so she’ll be safe.
When I'm wondering where she is an hour later, I'm really kicking myself that I didn't stop her from going for that walk.
CHAPTER 6
Kassie
When Bennett doesn’t say,or do anything to stop me from leaving, I walk out the front door.
I don’t know what I expected him to do, I mean, we can't do that again.
Even if that kiss was the best minute of my life. I've been in a few relationships, dated a few guys as well, but nothing, and I mean no other kiss has compared to what Bennett, and I just shared.
I'm happy to see the small complex of shops just up the hill from the house. There's a small supermarket that is more of a corner store with basic needs, a pizza place that also has the most amazing pasta, a bakery, and a small café.
“Oh hey Kassie, I wasn't expecting to see you or your family until closer to the weekend.” Mickey, the owner of the café says with a smile.
“I got some extra time off work so we came up early.” I reply with a smile.
“Did you come up with your parents?”
“Uhm, no, Max’s friend drove me up here,” I say, while blushing so hard I can feel the heat radiating off my cheeks.
“Max’sfriendhey. Is he cute? Don’t answer that, I can tell by the look on your face that he is. I hope you guys enjoy some time alone before everyone else invades then.” Mickey doesn’t wait for me to respond, she gets on with making my hot chocolate, and getting Trish to put a triple chocolate muffin on a plate. When they're both ready, Trish brings them over to the table I chose to sit at.
“I heated that muffin up for you. They always taste so much better when the chocolate inside is a little bit gooey, don’t you agree?” she asks with a smile.
“Absolutely!” I nod in agreement. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure. Enjoy!”
Should I have chocolate with chocolate, with a side of chocolate? Probably not, but here I am doing just that.
I know for a fact that Leesa would tell me I'm eating my feelings, but I shut that bitch in my head down with another bite of my muffin.
I'm not sure how long I sit there, but I know I grab a bottle of water to wash all of that chocolate down, while I sit back, and watch people coming, and going for a while. I smile, and nod, or talk to the people I recognise, but everyone is hustling to get ready for a long weekend that will, with any luck, keep them busy making money.
By the time I leave the café, to walk back down the hill home, I’m grateful that in my rush out of the door, and away from Bennett, that I remembered to pull on my jacket, because it is freaking cold out here today!
I'm also feeling guilty, and stupid for rushing out on him like that. It was stupid, rash, and childish at best. Potentially dangerous at worst.
In the few minutes it takes me to walk back down the hill, I’ve rehearsed what I'm going to say, how to apologise for the kiss, and then walking out, a million times.
When I open the front door, there stands Bennett, almost like he’s been waiting for me.
“Oh thank fuck, there you are! What the hell were you thinking just storming out of here? I was worried that something happened to you! What the fuck would I tell Max if you had gotten hurt, huh?”
“I know this town better than most, but thanks for the vote of confidence, Bennett!” I growl, ripping my jacket off, and hanging it up at the front door. “You know, you could have simply said, ‘hey Kassie, you're back, are you OK?’ But nooooooo, you have to go, and yell at me? Why? Because Max might be upset if something happened to me onyourwatch? Get the fuck out of my face!” My voice has raised to the point of yelling at him, and I don’t know why. I never yell at anyone!
“Don’t yell at me, Kassie, I'm not the one who stormed out of here with no way of being contacted!” He doesn’t yell. His voice feels about ten octaves deeper than usual, and despite the fact that he's annoyed with me, and I'm angry with him, it turns me on!
“You could have called or sent me a text if you weresodamned worried!”
“I did, and that’s how I know you left here without your fucking phone.”
“I did not! It was in my pocket,” I say, as I start to pat down every stupid pocket in my jeans, and then I pat down my own chest, even though there are no pockets in my top. “Oh, fuck!” I say quietly.
