CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

KIM

I can’t take it anymore. I have to leave them both. Mom is glaring at me, and Josh is standing so close it’s messing with my head. I have to get out of here.

I knew seeing Mom was a bad idea. I was hoping things would be different. It didn’t help when Josh showed up to witness her being her most manipulative.

I thought I’d be stronger if I ran into him again, but I’m not. My body begs for his touch. I can’t seem to forget that night. I dream about it. Fantasize. Wake up with body sweats, yearning for the release only Josh can give me.

I head back to my place to get some work done and put this disastrous day behind me. I pick something up at the deli before heading upstairs to my apartment. Since we’re caught up with orders, I give the girls the rest of the day off. I’m going to design a new collection. Need to get some ideas down on paper, and I do my best work alone.

With pen and paper in hand, I sit down on my couch and begin to sketch. Soon after, I realize I have nothing. Absolutely nothing. I lean back, waiting for inspiration to hit. I’ll have to blame Josh for this since I can’t get him out of my mind. Which pisses me off. He’s not supposed to have this effect on me. He left me that morning without saying a word. Like I was a twenty-dollar hooker. How dare he?

And today, he acts all weird when he sees me at the restaurant. I got the vibe he wasn’t happy to see me. I’m sorry, but we were bound to run into each other. Chicago isn’t that big, and his brother is married to one of my friends. I should have handled myself better, though. But between him and Mom ...

I need to get them out of my brain. I pick up my pencil and sketch. Get into the zone, and before long, I’ve drawn two bracelets, a ring, and earrings. I get my inspiration for these designs from an antique store that buys jewelry at estate sales. They were old and expensive. I would have loved to have them for myself, but they were out of my budget. Bummer.

I keep working on my drawings until everything is just right. I’m pleased with them. Now I have to turn the drawings into reality.

Since I’ve gotten done what I need for today, I take a break and watch television. When I’m settled in, there’s a knock on the door.

Who? I’m not expecting anyone, and my doorman didn’t alert me to any visitors. Maybe it’s Angie or Sue coming over to see if there is anything that needs finishing. I hop off the couch and shuffle to the door. Don’t bother checking my hair. What’s the sense?

When I throw the door open, Josh is standing at my doorstep. He’s the last person I expect to see. I consider slamming the door in his face. He must expect that because he barges past me. I keep the door open and stand beside it, letting him know he’s not welcome.

“What are you doing here?”

He doesn’t answer at first because he’s checking out my place. He finally turns to me. “We need to talk.”

I want to laugh at him. Or gouge his eyes out.

“I don’t think so. You need to leave.”

He ignores me and sits on my couch. Picks up my sketchpad and fans through it.

I want to scream, but instead, I shut the door. Don’t need my noisy neighbors hearing us. I walk over and snatch the pad out of his hands. Lay it facedown on the kitchen island.

“Why are you here, Josh?”

He looks me in the eyes. “I’ve missed you.”