When I pressed the doorbell, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Just as I was about to press it again a few minutes later, it was wrenched open by a sleepy-eyed Katy. Her irritated expression frazzled my nerves as I took in her state of dress.
A slow, wide smile grew as she watched me take her all in, much as she’d done me the night before. In tiny silk pajama shorts and a tight tank top that barely covered her top half, she leaned against the door.
“Good morning.Vickywas it?” she asked, her accent thick and husky. She yawned dramatically, covering her mouth before saying, “Sorry, we had areallylate night and slept in.” Her wink nearly made me choke.
The “we” filtered through my ears, and I had to force down its impact with a tight smile.
“Did you forget something?” she asked, obviously not wanting to let me inside. She eyed the large package I held, but still didn’t move.
“No, actually. I came to finish up in MJ’s room. They were expecting me. Sorry, I’m a few minutes late.” I set the frame down, its weight getting heavier as I stood there.
“Miles didn’t tell me anything about you coming this morning.” She leaned her head on the door and added, “But then again, there wasn’t much talking going on.”
Don’t cry, don’t give her the satisfaction.
Summoning all the confidence I could, I answered, “Hmm, when I’m with Miles, we laugh and talk constantly.”
Katy flinched, but her fake smile held.
“Guess that’s the difference between you and me, huh, Vicky?”
Her words landed like they had every time someone alluded to my weight. I swallowed hard, my breathing increasing. I picked up the frame and turned to walk back to my car when I heard her chuckle.
Willing my tears to wait until I pulled away, I heard the door shut with a thud. My shaking hands were making it difficult to open the door. Fumbling again with the key fob, it dropped onto the grass, still wet from the morning dew.
“Shoot,” I whispered.
Get it together, Vicky. You can do this. Get out of here.
When I bent down, a familiar hand reached down and grabbed it before I could. I startled and turned, nearly falling.
“M-Miles, what are you doing out here?” I gasped. He reached for my arm, keeping me upright.
His sweet smile melted my defenses. “Why are you leaving me?”
Those words ricocheted through my bruised heart, thick with double meaning.
“I, I wasn’t sure it was a good time to be here,” I stuttered.
His head tilted as he looked deep into my eyes. “It’s always a good time for you to be here. I thought you understood that.”
We were so close. Our breaths mingled as I stared up at him.
He was so handsome I wanted to cry. Handsome, sweet, kind.
Possibly getting back with his ex.
I guess I didn’t hide my pain as he spoke again. “Did she say something to you?” That brought me back to reality quickly.
Taking a step back, I answered, “No. She just made it clear this wasn’t a good time.”
His eyes darkened. “She doesn’t live here. Doesn’t have a say in that. What did she say, Vicky? Don’t lie to me.”
I scoffed and looked away. “She said…she said you’d both been up late. Had slept in. When you didn’t answer the door, I figured it was true. Was going to call you later after you’drested.” I spit the last word out like poison, unable to hide my anger any longer.
I had no claim on this man or on MJ, but I couldn’t help the disappointment and deep hurt I felt. His sweet words had distracted me, but I wasn’t going to stand here and have some kind of battle over his attention.
“Rest? The only reason I slept in was because I couldn’t sleep waiting for you to call me back.”
