Without warning, Kat stumbled, her left leg momentarily going rogue – causing her foot to drag when it was supposed to lift.
Carlo stopped, reaching for her. His big, brown eyes were full of worry as he helped steady her. “You okay,
zia
?”
Kat waved off his concern. “I’m totally fine. I’m just not used to these boots, that’s all.” She gave him a big smile and tugged on his sleeve again. “Come on, let’s eat. Your mom wanted you back by four o’clock and it’s already almost five. We don’t want her putting out an Amber Alert for you.”
Giving her a worried look that reminded Kat far too much of his mother, Carlo gave Kat his arm and they followed the waitress to a back corner booth. They settled in, ordered their drinks, and took some time to check out the menu.
After they’d ordered their food, Carlo started rummaging through the shopping bags. “I think
Zia
Stella is gonna love this,” he said, pulling a stainless steel Starbucks insulated mug out of a bag.
“I
know
she will. She’s always griping about having to heat and re-heat her coffee at work.” Kat ripped a Splenda packet open and poured it into her iced tea. “And
Zia
Fi is going to
love
that scarf you got her.”
Fi absolutely
wouldn’t
.
Well, not for aesthetic purposes, anyway. Fi would wear the hell out of it because Carlo had put so much thought into it, but Kat was pretty sure the neon blue, green, and pink zebra-striped, sequined scarf was fashionable Fi’s worst nightmare.
While Carlo continued digging, Kat glanced around the restaurant. It was early for the dinner crowd, so it wasn’t too busy. Her eyes eventually rested on a waitress leaning against the edge of a booth – her back to Kat and a hand on her hip – talking to whomever was occupying the booth. The waitress tossed her head back and laughed, long blonde ponytail flipping this way as she carried on an animated conversation with someone Kat couldn’t see.
Suddenly Kat felt very old. And even more tired. The waitress couldn’t have been much younger than Kat, but they might as well have been generations apart.
Worlds apart.
Galaxies apart.
Although, Kat had always felt that way – like an old soul trapped in a young body. Since MS, her body felt increasingly older, too…so now she was like an old soul with a prematurely old body.
The waitress shifted her hips and pressed a knee into the booth seat, her hands braced on the table as she leaned closer to whomever she was speaking with.
A prematurely old body
and
a broken body.
Kat rolled her eyes inwardly.
There’s some holiday cheer for you.
Kat stretched her left leg out and shifted, nodding and smiling as Carlo began meticulously pulling out, examining, and discussing every damn thing he’d bought. She took a sip of her iced tea and glanced around again…
And gasped.
It must have been audible, because a second later, Carlo looked up and saw what –
who
– Kat was looking at.
“Danny!”
Kat fought the urge to roll her eyes. But, of course, Danny had been the recipient of the waitress’s attention.
Who else?
As Carlo slid out of their booth and headed over to Danny, Kat shoved back a whole bunch of weird feelings she didn’t understand.
Feeling number one: I fucking
hate
Little Blonde Firecracker and her nimble limbs.
Feeling number two: I hate myself for hating her.
Feeling number three: I hate that he’s here.
Feeling number four: I hate that I am so tired and weak right now.
Feeling number five: I sincerely hope Little Blonde Firecracker’s ponytail accidentally gets caught in a meat grinder back there.
Why a California Pizza Kitchen would have a meat grinder and why Little Blonde Firecracker’s ponytail would be anywhere near it was anyone’s guess, but Kat wasn’t really in a logical state of mind right now.
“
Zia
Kat, Danny’s here!”
Yeah, thanks for the newsflash, Carlo.
Kat forced her lips into a smile as they walked over. “I can see that. Hi, Danny.”
It went without thinking that Danny looked gorgeous in his uniform, but Kat thought it, anyway. Just like she thought about the nasty dream she’d had, the way his hands had felt on her body yesterday, and the sound of his deep voice in her ear on the phone last night as he’d asked to “make up in person.”
Kat swallowed hard.
Get. Shit. Together.
Danny smiled tightly. “Hi, Kat.” They looked at each for a few long seconds before he cleared his throat and said, “Carlo said you guys were doing some Christmas shopping?”
Kat nodded. “Yep.”
Not quite as stimulating a conversationalist as Little Blonde Firecracker, are ya?
“Come sit with us, Danny!” Carlo said, already moving to gather up the bags and gifts he’d pulled out.
Danny lifted a hand. “No, I don’t want to bust in on you guys.”
Carlo scoffed. “You’re not busting in. We want to hang with you…” He shot Kat an imploring look. “Right,
zia
?”
Danny’s eyes met hers and Kat saw a weirdness there she was pretty sure she understood.
He’s here to see Little Blonde Firecracker and isn’t looking to have Carlo and I rain on his fornication parade.
Kat cleared her throat. “I think Danny already has plans.”
“What plans?” Carlo asked.
Danny’s brow quirked. “Yeah, what plans?”
“Well, you’re, uh…” Kat gestured toward the kitchen. “That woman…someone you’re dating, or…?”
Danny shook his head slowly, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “No, just my waitress.”
“Oh, I just assumed…” Kat started sweating. “Since you were sitting alone. And she was talking…and…laughing…and…”
Kat felt a flush spread across her cheeks.
Stop. Babbling.
Danny’s smile faded. “Nope. Just alone.”
He was not the first person to eat a meal in a restaurant by himself and he wouldn’t be the last. So why the thought of Danny sitting here, eating his dinner alone felt akin to having a few ribs broken, Kat had zero idea.
But the reality was, it did. And she was finding it strangely difficult to breathe.
Danny jerked a thumb over his shoulder, toward the booth he’d been sitting in. “I had some Christmas shopping to do, too, so I figured I’d hit the mall before my shift started.” He eyed the massive quantity of bags stuffed into Carlo and Kat’s booth and smiled. “Nothing like what you guys have been up to, but…”
“Danny, please come sit with us!” Carlo shoved at Kat’s shoulder, trying to get her to scoot in. “You can sit over there! Grab your stuff!”
Danny’s eyes found Kat’s again and she smiled. “Definitely. Come sit with us, Danny. Please.”
Danny smiled at a beaming Carlo. “Okay. Be right back.”
A few seconds later, Danny, his half-drunk beer, and his two bags joined them. He ate his burger and Kat ate her pizza as Carlo shot rapid-fire, police-related questions at Danny.
About fifteen minutes later, Carlo – apparently having satisfied his law enforcement questions – shot Kat an imploring look.
“If Mom says it’s okay, can I go next door to the arcade for awhile before we leave,
zia
?”
Kat shrugged. “I don’t care. I’ll sit here and nurse my iced tea.” Carlo grinned and started shoving at her, again – this time to get out of the booth. “Hold up…text your mom first. We’re already late, so I’m not saying
yes
until she says it’s okay.”
Carlo whipped out his cell and texted Gigi. As he waited for her response, Danny and Carlo got into a discussion about something sports-related that Kat neither understood nor cared to understand. Which wasn’t the reason she pulled out her phone and returned a few work emails as they chatted (that was more to avoid having to look at Danny’s beautiful face, big hands, and sexy arms), but it was a convenient excuse had anyone cared to ask.
Carlo’s phone dinged and he turned the screen for Kat to read:
Yeah, but tell
zia
that if you don’t finish your homework tonight, she’ll be doing it for you.
Carlo shoved at Kat’s shoulder again, making her laugh. “Okay, okay…easy, babe. Your
zia
doesn’t move so well.”
Carlo cringed. “I’m sorry. I forgot your leg was bugging you.” He looked at Danny. “Danny, can you help her out?”
Kat glanced at Danny, who was already looking at her, and shook her head. “It’s okay. Not necessary.” She started sliding.
Two seconds later, Danny was beside her, holding out his hand for her to take.
“Not necessary,” Kat said, bracing her hands on the table.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Little Blonde Firecracker eyeing them up and down from the hostess station.
Kat fought the urge to flick her off.
“I think your waitress is looking for you,” Kat said, knocking Danny’s hand out of the way and pushing herself up when he turned to look.
Carlo slid out and Kat dropped back down.
“Thanks! Be back soon!” Carlo called back, already halfway out of the restaurant.
Kat pretended not to notice or care when Danny walked over to Little Blonde Firecracker and started chatting her up.
“Sorry I took
off on you there,” Danny said to the waitress as he approached. “I bumped into some friends.”
She –
Tiffani
– waved off his apology and grinned up at him, hands on hips. “No problem. Just wishing we would have had more time to talk, that’s all.”
Danny glanced back at Kat, who was stirring her iced tea with her straw. He turned back and pulled out his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”
“I’m thinking I should give it to you for free…” Tiffani eyed Danny’s badge and utility belt before meeting his eyes again. She smiled, brow quirked. “What with you being a cop and all.”
Danny glanced back at Kat again before pulling four twenty-dollar bills out of his wallet. “Here you go. That’s for them, too. Thanks.” He walked away before she could answer.
Danny slid in opposite of Kat, accidentally bumping her legs with his. “Sorry.” He shifted again and, again, bumped her legs. Danny exhaled a nervous laugh. “Sorry. Again. I never have enough leg room under these things.”
Kat gave him a tight smile and went back to stirring her iced tea. Danny stared at her, because he couldn’t seem
not
to.
You are so beautiful.
And I am so stupidly happy to see you.
I was lonely today and then…there you were.
Danny cleared his throat and gestured to the packages wedged next to Kat. “What did you get?”
Kat released her straw and dropped her hands into her lap. She lifted a shoulder, glancing down at the bags. “Stuff for my nieces and nephews, mostly.” Kat looked over at his two bags. “How about you?”
“I got stuff for Stella and Gia.” Danny pulled a book out, grinning. “As a gag gift, I got Stella this…” He handed it to Kat.
“
Coping with Difficult People
,” she read, her lips tugging into a smile. Kat handed it back to him. “Why do I have a feeling Nathan will be less than amused?”
“Yeah, but Stella will laugh her ass off.”
Kat nodded, still smiling. “Yes, she will.”
Danny slipped the book back in. “I also got her a Starbucks gift card, ‘cause I know she goes there a lot.”
“What did you get Gia?”
Danny winced. “I was so fucking lost in that toy store. I couldn’t figure out what the hell an eight month old would want…” He pulled out a doll, a stuffed puppy, and Play-Doh.
Kat’s brows rose.
“What, no good?”
Her lips twitched, making him smile – and his dick as hard as a fucking rock.
She picked up the doll. “This is a beautiful Barbie. And I’m sure Gia will love it in about a year or two.” Kat pointed at the Play-Doh. “She’ll eat that and probably shove it up her nose and into her ear canals.” She picked up the puppy, looking it over. “Now, this…” Kat smiled. “This was a good pick, Danny. She’ll love it.”
“Okay, well, two out of three isn’t bad.” Danny paused, holding her eyes. “You know, maybe you could go with me when I return them.” Kat’s smile faded and his chest tightened. “Maybe help me pick out some better stuff?”
Kat handed back the puppy. “Or you could go on Toys R Us’ website and choose toys by age group.”
Danny forced a smile. “Or that.” He put everything back and then pulled out a small pink velvet box. “Hope this passes muster.” Danny handed it to Kat. “I went into the jewelry story to get my watch fixed and saw it.”
“Wow…” Kat pulled the tiny gold charm bracelet out and draped it over her fingers. “This is beautiful.”
“Look at the charm.”
Kat lifted it up and squinted. “Beloved goddaughter.” Her expression softened as she glanced back at him. “How thoughtful, Danny.”
“I know she can’t wear it now, but maybe when she’s older. And I had to get that charm.” Danny took the box back from Kat and looked at the bracelet. “I never thought I’d get to buy something like that, you know? For a little kid.” He closed the box and slipped it back into the bag before shooting her a half-smile. “Kinda cool.”
Kat nodded slowly. “So, who else do you have left to buy for?”
“Nobody. That’s it.” When Kat’s brows dropped, Danny forced his half-smile into a full-on grin. “That’s a good thing about not having a family, right? Christmas shopping is pretty fucking easy. Tried to buy Nathan stuff for years, but you know he wasn’t having it.”
“You don’t have
any
family?” Kat asked, her brows still furrowed.
“Nah. But it’s better than way, I say. Family’s a real pain in the ass from what I hear.” Danny shrugged. “And I have Nathan, Stella, and Gia. You know your sister; she’ll always force me to participate.”
But Kat didn’t return his smile. “What do you do on holidays?” she asked.
Get fucking hammered, screw other lonely, pathetic people, and eat fast food.