Page 38 of Fools in Love

“Patty has ordered some new furniture for the place. Since the last few people who’ve rented from her have come without furnishings, she’s decided to have it professionally furnished. Blake Jordan ordered everything, and Nick has agreed to help haul it up. Right now, the apartment is getting new floors, paint, and some other work done by Parker. It will be ready for me Saturday evening.” She leaned back and thought about having her own place again. Privacy was one thing she’d learned to cherish in the city. “It’s funny, even when I was surrounded by a million strangers, I felt as if I had more privacy in New York than I do here.”

Tom chuckled. “Because in a small town such as Pride, everyone cares about one another,” he reminded her.

“True, but it’s also that everyone is a ton nosier here than they are in the city,” she pointed out.

He nodded as he laughed. “Both things can be true.”

She was smiling when his cell phone rang. She saw his face drop when he noticed the number.

“What’s up, Larry?” he answered, his eyes avoiding hers. “Yeah.” She saw him stiffen and then his eyes turned to lock onto hers. “All right.” He listened again. “How soon?” He closed his eyes and then said, “Thanks. Yeah, I’ll be in touch. Send it over and I’ll… deal with it. Thanks,” he said before hanging up.

“News about your father?” she guessed.

“The parole board approved his parole. He’s been released.” He sat down on the edge of the railing.

Kate stood up and made her way over to wrap her arms around him. “I’m so sorry.”

“Ten years,” he said into her hair as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “That’s what the lives of my mother and brother were worth. Ten fucking years.”

“He’ll still be on parole? Right?” she asked.

“Yes, of course, but he’s a free man. Larry Jameson, the lawyer who worked with me back then, is going to file a restraining order for me.”

Kate’s eyes narrowed. “Where is your dad? Isn’t he in Nevada?”

“Yes, but…” He sighed. “It’s just an insurance policy.” He nudged her backwards and smiled up at her. “I doubt he even knows where I live now.” He pulled her down to brush his lips over hers. “Now, what do you say we grab ourselves some pizza and have a sleepover? We can rent a movie or…” He pulled her between his thighs.

“Or?” She smiled as her fingers dipped into his hair.

His smile was all the answer she needed.

They docked a little before sunset and, after securing the sailboat, made their way back towards his place. They dumped everything off then walked to Baked, since it was only a block and a half away. Thankfully, her leg was feeling up to the task.

By the time they returned to his place, she had to admit, she was tired and needed to get off her leg.

“How can I be worn out? I used to spend ten hours a day in classes.” She sighed as she walked through his back door.

There was a sort of mud room off the back of the house and from the hooks filled with coats, hats, and other items, she assumed this was how he came and went most of the time.

A bench sat against one wall with a couple of pairs of shoes housed underneath it in bins.

This was the first time she’d been in his place, and she took in everything as he led her into the kitchen, which sat directly off the back area.

He set the pizza down on the counter and then took her bag from her. “Why don’t you head in and get off that leg?” he suggested. “I’ll dish us up some pizza and get us drinks.”

She had a moment to look around his kitchen. She could tell it was newly remodeled. The cupboards and countertops were done in a soft white and gray. There was a long bar that held the sink and dishwasher. A double-wide refrigerator sat on the wall with the door that led to the mud room. There were six bar stools on the other side of the bar area. A long table with six chairs sat between the bar and the living room.

The open floor plan allowed her to see into the large living area across from the kitchen. A two-story stone fireplace sat in the center of the back wall with wide tall windows on either side that overlooked the water beyond. She could make out a deck that ran the entire length of the back of the home and guessed that the view from there would be amazing for sunsets.

His furniture looked new, as if he’d bought it in the past couple years and hardly used it.

She was slightly surprised that his decorative color palette was in soft grays with hints of deep shell blues. It wasn’t until she made her way into the living room that she noticed the obvious nautical theme. The place suited him.

She sat down on the sofa and sighed as the weight was removed from her leg.

“Here,” Tom said, handing her a bottled beer. “Put your leg up.” He motioned to the coffee table.

“You’re not one of those neat freaks that doesn’t allow feet on the furniture?” she asked, motioning around his clean house.