Page 105 of Help Wanted

“Everyone has a story, Ken. Everyone has a list of things that have happened to them that mold who they are. In the end it doesn’t matter. You still have to deal. He’s invited you to go someplace he doesn’t feel comfortable. Be there for him when he faces his demons.”

“Demons?” She gave a look of mock fright. “Surely they can’t be that bad.”

“Let’s hope not. I hear they prey on the orphans first.” Right for the kill.

* * *

He followed Kenley into her apartment feeling like a weight had been lifted. She was home safe.

He’d tried not to make a big deal about her trip to New York. She needed to go as part of the healing process, but God had he been worried.

Having her away for the weekend made him realize what his life would have been like if that strung-out junkie had pulled the trigger. And while his biggest fear was that she could have been taken away from him that day, it didn’t mean he couldn’t still lose her in a different way. He needed to tell her how he felt.

He’d not had the best role models when it came to relationships, and he’d never had a desire to have one before now. He had a lot to lose, and no skills to keep that from happening.

The desire to avoid her—and the pain that seemed inevitable—reared its head. But he’d promised her he wouldn’t run away from her again. From them.

So instead he pulled her close and kissed her.

“I’m glad you’re back,” he whispered, meaning it down to the depths of his soul.

He was determined to enjoy the moment.

In bed together, he took the most direct route to pleasing her so they could go to sleep. It was late, and they had to get up early for work. He held her as she slept, the moonlight coming in through the window, casting her face in a warm glow.

Had he really thought she looked like Courtney? The memories of his old crush were ten years old, but he didn’t think Courtney was ever this beautiful. In fact, other than the long blonde hair, they didn’t look that much alike. Thinking back to the day she’d walked into his office, he’d though she was the girl who had haunted him in high school, but it was more about the way she carried herself with confidence, or a convincing version at least. The way she’d seemed out of his league, and the feeling that had inspired in him.

Fear that he would once again fall short in the eyes of a beautiful woman. He pulled Kenley closer, reveling in the fact she was there, naked, in his arms.

In some ways she still scared the bejesus out of him. But he wouldn’t let that destroy this moment.

She had invited him into her bed and her heart.

* * *

It seemed like only an hour later when Kenley was waking him. He’d eventually fallen asleep after giving himself an intense lecture on living for the now.

After a quick shower, coffee and a kiss, she walked him to the door.

“I’ll see you in a little while. Are you sure you don’t want a ride?” he asked as he picked up the mail they had stepped over in their rush to get to a bed the night before.

Resting on top of a sales flyer was a thick envelope. He couldn’t help but notice the return address.

District Court of the State of Connecticut.

She took it and swallowed.

“It must be the information about the trial,” she said, running a finger under the flap of the envelope.

“Let me know when, and I’ll go with you.”

She shrugged. “You’re busy. I don’t expect you to take off to go.”

He stepped closer and looked down into her eyes.

“Kenley, we’re together now. I will be there next to you when you face that man.” It was an easy thing to promise. He’d been making things more difficult than they needed to be. He needed to stop thinking so much and just go with his heart.

“Thank you,” she whispered as he held her tightly and kissed her hair.