Katherine nearly spat her coffee across the room. “A dreamboat? I don’t think I’ve heard that since, oh I don’t know, nineteen fifty.”
“He is a dreamboat and he cares about you. That man was a wreck while you were gone.”
Katherine felt that familiar twinge of guilt. “I know. I hate that I did that to him. I didn’t mean to hurt him. My goal was to try and protect him from my asshole-ex. Seems like I failed on both counts.”
“It’s okay. You’re back and you are sticking around, right?”
“Definitely.”
“Good, let’s hit up the market and see what we can make together. I feel like baking!” Talia said excitedly.
“Let me grab my purse,” she said and jumped up, truly happy and looking forward to a day with her best friend.
“Oh, when we get back, you’re filling me in on all the dirty details of your time away. I know there’s a big story there,” Talia said, giving her a stern look.
Katherine nodded her head. “Absolutely. I will spare you no detail.”
They walked out the door and headed down the sidewalk. It was a cool, sunny day and the smell of fall was in the air. Talia insisted they go to a specialty shop that served all things pumpkin spice. Katherine tried a few things but had to pass on the rest. She ended up buying a few candles before they continued on their shopping trip, doing a lot of window shopping and browsing antique and vintage stores.
“What are you in the mood for?” Katherine asked, as they finally made their way to the grocery store, both of them carrying bags from various stores with new treasures.
Talia shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. How about a simple pasta?” she suggested.
“Works for me,” Katherine said, picking up a basket and heading down the aisle.
The women shopped some more, giggling at nothing in particular and picking up ingredients to make a fresh pesto, along with some bread and a couple bottles of wine. As they walked back to Katherine’s place loaded down with their loot, she couldn’t stop smiling. She had thoroughly enjoyed herself. She had so missed the companionship of another female. Ben was great, but Talia brought something else to her life.
As they walked up the stairs to her apartment, Katherine got a sudden icy chill down her spine. She stopped walking and turned around, her eyes scanning the parking lot, looking for Tim.
“What’s wrong?” Talia asked.
Katherine shook her head. “Nothing, I just thought I heard something,” she lied.
When they reached her door, she tested to make sure it was still locked before sliding the key in. Her stomach twisted in knots as she pushed it open, not crossing the threshold.
“Kat?” Talia whispered from behind her.
She stepped forward, her ears completely tuned in to any sounds in the room that indicated someone was there. She scanned the area, looking for anything out of place before inhaling deeply. All she got was a strong whiff of pumpkin spice.
“It’s okay,” Katherine said with relief, putting all her bags on the table before heading into the bathroom.
When she came out, Talia was standing there, her arms crossed over her chest and staring at her. “What is going on?”
Katherine let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry to have worried you. It’s just, well, it isn’t over yet. I’m worried Tim is going to come after me. I had a weird feeling we were being watched.”
“I’ll check the closets,” Talia said, without another word.
Katherine smiled, thankful to have someone who was understanding. Most people would have told her she was crazy or ran out the door for fear of their own lives. Not Talia. She was in it for the long haul and that meant everything to Katherine.
“Good?” Katherine asked when Talia came out of bedroom.
“All good. Now, I’m starving, let’s get cooking!”
“I’ll open the wine,” Katherine said, jubilant at the idea of cooking and drinking with her best friend.
“We need music, something upbeat. I want to dance like no one’s watching.”
“I’m watching,” Katherine joked.