by Terra Kelly
Kenzie felt happy to have contact with Joshua, she wanted more, so much more. “Sexy stalker, huh? I will accept that name, for now. Much better because I’m far from grumpy these days.”
“Not grumpy anymore?”
“No, once I moved here, my grumpy ways disappeared.”
“Does that mean you will stay in Wilmington for awhile?”
She let go of one hand and reached up to touch the side of his face. “What if I told you forever?”
Joshua didn’t realize it at first but he stopped breathing. He looked confused. “Forever? As in, you never plan on leaving this place? What about your family?”
She brushed her thumb on his five o’clock shadow and loved the rough feeling it created. “Well, all my family still live in Arizona, but my home is in Wilmington now. They were tired of me talking about moving here and made me move.”
He reached his hand up to his face and placed his hand over hers. As much as he wanted to ask why it took ten years to move here, he held back on that question. “I like forever.”
Kenzie smiled. “I plan to show you every single day from now on. I have a lot of making-up to do… like ten years to be exact.”
He brought her hand from his face and rested it on his leg. “Kenzie, please don’t think you have ten years to make up. What about letting go?”
“I would love to do that, but the only way for me to move on is by atoning for my actions.” She brought his hand to her lips, his skin felt so silky soft. Then she kissed the back of his hand. “When does work start?” she asked, stood and grabbed her book bag. “Can we grab dinner first?”
“Hi, gorgeous.” Isabel walked over and pulled Joshua in for a big bear hug. “How’s my future-brother-in-law doing today?”
Joshua was clearing off a couple tables when his brother and Isabel walked in to The Clam Bake. “Hey! I didn’t expect to see you both here tonight. Any special occasion?”
Drew laughed. “The special occasion is called beer and lots of it in a tall glass, please.” He slapped his brother on the back and pulled Isabel closer to his side.
Joshua noticed Danny and a woman walk in but they were not together. The woman looked very uncomfortable and kept looking up at Danny. Then he heard a loud squeal behind him and pushed to the side. “Okay, she knows her, right?”
“Or she wanted a reason to push you.”
Isabel walked back holding the short red head close to her side. “Joshua, sorry gorgeous. I’m just so excited to see my sweet girl, Shawna. We work together but we haven’t seen each other in over a week.” She then looked at Shawna. “This is Joshua, and that cutie you walked in with is Danny.”
Shawna was feeling uncomfortable tonight. Isabel had set her up on a blind date a couple weeks back. She had thought about bailing but knew Izzy would be bummed. Blind dates were not her thing. They made her feel like when she was wearing a corset one size too small. “It’s nice to meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about you, Joshua. I heard little Lexie fell in love with you.”
Joshua laughed. “I think I fell in love with her, too. She’s an amazing little girl.”
Isabel turned to Danny, “Lexie is Alyssa’s daughter, you know, Alex’s new little family. We all had so much fun in Boise, then here for the holidays.”
Danny smiled. “I’ve heard only snippets of the family time, but it sounds like you all had a great time. We’re just excited to have Drew back to his normal schedule at the station.”
Isabel gave a little pout. “Not me though, I miss him already.” She grabbed Shawna’s arm. “Hey sweetie, have you ever met Danny before?”
Shawna shook her head no, even though she knew she ran into him at Izzy and Drew’s engagement party- more like plowed into him. She was hoping he didn’t realize that was her. She then reached her hand out to Danny. When he took her hand in his, it was like an earthquake of energy being sent through their arms. She looked up into his eyes and felt lost.
Danny was taken aback by the feeling that was created when he shook this lovely woman’s hand. She had long red hair and piercing green eyes. She was short, curvy, and stunning. “It’s nice to meet you. Any friend of Izzy’s, is a friend of mine.”
Isabel melted. “Awwww, and that is why I love you so much.” She reached in and gave Danny a big hug. Then looking at Joshua. “Okay bro, where is my old fashioned?”
Just then Stacy walked up. “Your highness,” she teased, holding the cocktail in her palm and bowing in front of Izzy.
Izzy let out a full belly laugh. “Oh stop it, now get over here and give me a hug.”
Drew was standing next to Joshua. “So, I see Kenzie’s here tonight? You both doing okay?”
Joshua let out a laugh. “I’m not sure. She’s playing the game I played in high school. Do you remember?”
Drew looked confused. “Not following?”
“She’s my stalker.”
“Oh shit, is she following you around like you did?” he asked. “Wow, I’m impressed. So, then I guess things are good.”
Joshua shook his head. “I have no clue but I know she’s tenacious.”
Drew squeezed his upper arm. “Well, maybe this is a good thing. I hope it’s a good thing, you both deserve each other.”
Izzy walked up. “Who does my gorgeous Joshua deserve, besides a stunning woman, and some serious hot sex while you’re at it.”
“Only you would say that. Now if you all will excuse me, I have drinks to make.”
Joshua walked back to the bar and stood in front of Kenzie. “Hey there sexy stalker, need another drink?”
“No, thank you, sexy bartender,” she said, looking up with half-lidded eyes. “Only thirty more minutes, then I can claim you as mine.”
“All yours? Hmmmm… Not sure I’m ready to accept that I’m all yours. But I am looking forward to spending the rest of the evening with you.”
Kenzie smiled. “Want to go back to your place or mine?”
Joshua felt speechless. “Ummmm… well, where do you live?”
“About ten minutes from here.”
“Well, I live about a quarter of a mile away from here. Let’s head back to my place.”
Kenzie wanted to do a little dance, but stayed calm. “Your place it is then.”
Joshua was excited to be with Kenzie, he was. His inner voice was screaming, “Be careful.” She seemed happy to see him, but she was taking this stalker MO to a whole new level.
They were walking side by side on the sidewalk about a block from his house. Kenzie had her arms crossed in front of her to keep warm. Every so often she would take a peek his way, she loved looking at him. A part of her felt like maybe she needed to back off some. She wanted Joshua, but that was just the problem, she seemed desperate. She didn’t need to be in a hurry, but after ten years of waiting, she didn’t want to wait another minute.
Joshua stopped in front of a little one story light yellow house. “This is me.” The house was tucked in between several houses on the block that looked similar but varied in color. There was a long porch and a porch swing on one end. He opened the screen door and went to unlock the main door. “Are you ready?”
Kenzie laughed. “You have a dog?”
“Dogs. Two Bernese mountain dogs. They are big and loving.”
“I adore dogs but I have never met a Bernese mountain dog.”
As he opened the door, he said, “Well get ready, you are in for a treat.” Both dogs were waiting not so patiently by the door. As he opened the door another inch, both dogs got more excited to see them. “Elvis is the larger of the two and Costello is the grumpy one.” He spoke firmly to both dogs, “Hey you two, back it up.”
As they made their way inside, both dogs were more than excited to smell someone new. Kenzie went to bend down and pet both dogs and lost her balance. Within a matter of seconds, she was sprawled on the floor beneath two cute and fluffy dogs. She fell into fits of giggles.
Joshua had a soft spot for animals and an even bigger soft spot for an
imal lovers. He laughed because how could you not? Then he went to the cabinet to grab a treat which was a perfect distraction. He whistled, and said, “Hey Elvis, Costello, come.” Then he handed both dogs a biscuit which they were very excited to receive. Joshua walked over and bent down to help Kenzie up and somehow got tangled in her legs. A few seconds later he was lying next to her on the floor and now they were both in fits of giggles. He leaned onto his side and propped himself on his elbow. “I bet you’ve never had this much fun with a dog before?”
Kenzie calmed down, her stomach hurt from laughing so much. “Are they always this exciting or is it me?”
“I believe it’s just you, but I see their attraction.” The light-hearted moment turned heated. He reached his hand forward and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. “Has anyone told you what an amazing smile you have?” He traced his finger down the side of her face and her jaw, then touched her bottom lip. “I can’t believe you’re here, so much better than my dreams.”
Kenzie turned and propped herself on her elbow. “Dreams? What dreams?”
Joshua cleared his throat and got to his feet. “So, can I get you anything to drink?”
Kenzie stood-up next to him. “Wait, you said dreams, can you clarify?”
He walked to his liquor cabinet. “It’s not a big deal. Let’s talk about something else. I plan to have bourbon on the rocks. Would you like wine, bourbon, or is water better?”
Kenzie was confused. “Joshua, please don’t shut me out. Can we talk? I know it’s been ten years but I would love to talk with you, please?”
Joshua stopped in mid-grab of a liquor bottle from the cabinet, “I’m not sure I want to talk, Kenzie. I’m still trying to absorb you’re here after ten years,” he admitted, leaning up against the kitchen counter. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”
Kenzie walked toward him and went to place her hand on his chest, but Joshua grabbed her wrist. “I think maybe you should head out. I have family things to take care of in the morning.”
Kenzie looked hurt. She dropped her hand to her side, and said, “You’re right, maybe I should leave.” She turned and headed out the front door. She couldn’t blame him. If only she would’ve contacted him sooner instead of waiting forever. Well, it felt like forever.
Joshua wanted to thunk his head on a few surfaces. Why did he have to get so guarded at that moment and all because of his embarrassing dreams? He walked to the kitchen table to sit down for a moment and pulled out his phone to FaceTime, Alex. Since it was three hours difference in Boise, he figured it was as good a time as any.
Alex was laughing when the call connected. “Hey bro, do you miss me already? I’ve only been gone a week.”
“Ha, ha, very nice greeting. You busy?”
“Just hanging out with a cute little girl. Alyssa left me in charge.”
Just then you could hear Lexie in the background. “Who is it, Daddy?”
Alex smiled. “Boy do I love being called, Daddy. It’s your Uncle Joshua. Want to say hi?”
Lexie came into view of the camera and hopped around. “Uncle Josh, Uncle Josh, Uncle Josh.!”
Joshua laughed. “Lexie, Lexie, Lexie! How’s my girl doing?”
“I good, miss you.” She then blew a kiss to the camera.
Joshua melted on the spot and blew a kiss back. “God, I love her. So, you got a sec, bro? It’s about Kenzie.”
Alex gave him a concerned look. “Everything okay?” He smiled. “Alyssa just walked in, wait and share with her, too. She may give you better advice. She is a girl.”
Alyssa walked over and sat down next to Alex. “Hi, Josh. Everything okay?”
“Hi, Alyssa. Did Alex fill you in on who Kenzie is or should I?”
Alyssa nodded. “All good and up to date.”
Joshua filled them both in on his last week with sexy stalker. “I may have flaked out tonight. I feel stalker-ish... Well, in my dreams at least.”
“Um, how could you be stalker-ish in your dreams and is that even possible?”
“I haven’t thought of anyone else but her for the last ten years. She’s in my dreams, my thoughts, everything. Okay, so stalker-ish is not a word and not what happened. I guess it feels weird. I mean, every relationship I have tried to have failed because of Kenzie. Yet, we never had time to be together, I only pursued her in high school. That’s weird, right?” He sat back in his chair and let out a heavy sigh.
Alyssa smiled. “Sweetie, can I be honest with you?”
Joshua nodded. “Yes.”
“You both cared about each other from the start. She has her reasons for denying those feelings and not letting you know why she left. You still feel confused by her quick departure but that doesn’t change how you feel. If you want to feel guarded then do it, but I think it’s time to let go. Get to what’s important.”
Alex seemed confused. “And what’s important?”
Alyssa laughed and playfully punched him. “The fact they both loved each other before they even knew it. They will be together, they had a hitch in the plans. A ten-year hitch.”
Joshua leaned forward. “Did you say, love? Don’t you think it’s premature?”
Alyssa stood. “Nope! Lexie is calling for me; you take care Joshua. Hey and Josh?”
“Yeah?”
“We like late night, unexpected visits from gorgeous men,” she winked, and waved to the camera. “Night.”
Alex smiled. “The woman has spoken, now go see Kenzie.”
Joshua said goodbye and ended the call. He stood and walked over to his liquor cabinet, opened the door, and then closed it. Glancing toward the end of the counter where he sat her business card, he couldn’t call her if he wanted to surprise her though. Suddenly he remembered that Izzy went to her house. He grabbed his phone to call Izzy, he knew she would be up and still at the bar.
“Hey, gorgeous! Didn’t I see you like an hour ago?”
“Sorry to bother you, Izz, but I was hoping you could help me out.”
Izzy sounded concerned. “What is it, everything okay?”
“Did you end up meeting with Kenzie this week?”
“Oh my god, we did. She will be helping me with my dress…”
Joshua cut her off. “Did you go to her house when you met with her?”
“Her house? What’s this about, Joshua?”
“Can you give me her address; I need to go see her?”
“Ohhhhhh… gotchya, and this late at night, huh?” She then gave him Kenzie’s address.
Izzy continued to tease him, but he ignored her, and said he had to go. He stood, grabbed his coat, and left. Maybe Alyssa was right, it was time to let go and get to know each other.
When Kenzie arrived home, all she wanted to do was go to bed and curl-up under the covers. Joshua had every right to feel guarded or even afraid of them together. She wished she could erase some of the past. Like the portion where she missed out on getting to know the gorgeous, kind man. She put on her baggy pj pants that had dogs and cats with wings floating around on hearts and her pj top said, “Be Mine.” Then she walked back into the kitchen to make popcorn and pour herself a tall glass of wine. When she was pouring the popcorn into a bowl, she was startled by a light knock at her door. She glanced at her clock, it was already 1:00 a.m. She looked through the peep-hole and about went into panic mode.
Joshua knew someone was by the door, he had heard footsteps approaching. “Kenzie, I know you’re there, please open the door. We need to talk.”
Kenzie took in a deep breath and then let it out. When she opened the door she almost melted. God, she had it bad for this man. “Josh, how did you know where I live?”
“Izzy. Please don’t be mad at her for giving me the address. I needed to see you. Can I come in?”
Kenzie turned and headed back into her kitchen. “Want some popcorn?”
Joshua leaned up against the door frame to the kitchen and smiled. “I’m kinda enjoying this late night visit even more now, especially when I can s
ee you in those pj’s.”
Kenzie looked down and sighed. “These are my sulking pajamas. You’re not supposed to see them.”
Joshua moved toward her. “Sulking pj’s. Do you have sexy pj’s, too?”
Joshua was now standing right in front of her, only a moment separating them both. Kenzie’s body reacted and her face turned a crimson red. “Um, maybe.”
He then reached forward and grabbed a lock of her hair to lightly tug. Then he let go of her hair and snaked his hand behind her neck. He pulled her face to his, their lips just touching. “I kinda like these sulking pjs.” Then he leaned in and kissed her. This was the first time they had ever made contact, and it felt like volcanoes erupting, or a 6.0 earthquake happening between them. He took his other hand and moved it to her hip to pull her closer to his body.
Kenzie could not control herself, she reached up and fisted her hands in his hair. She couldn’t get enough contact, she pushed her hips closer to him. They both were exploring every inch of each other, their tongues tangling and teasing. Kenzie let out a soft moan, and bit his bottom lip, then brushed her tongue over the tender spot. She started a trail of kisses on his jaw and ended at that sweet spot behind his ear. As she placed sweet kisses on his soft skin, she whispered. “Think we can start over?”
They were both out of breath as Joshua pulled back. He didn’t want to break their contact, but he wanted to see her face. “Start over. How?”
Kenzie placed her hands on his chest. “Pretend I never asked you about your dream, it’s none of my business.”
Joshua smiled. “Not true, it is your business.”
Kenzie seemed confused. She stepped back, grabbed the bowl of popcorn, and headed into the living room.
Joshua followed behind her. “Want to talk, maybe?”
Kenzie sat down on the couch and Joshua sat next to her. She offered him some popcorn. “So, why the late night visit? Did you decide you needed to kiss me?”
Joshua turned to face her. “Yes, but that’s not why I’m here. For ten years, I have only thought about you, dreamt about you, and only ever wanted you. I have tried to have relationships but they have all failed. Each relationship I attempted to make work never matched you. I feel embarrassed about my many thoughts and kinda feel stalker-ish myself. Which I know sounds insane, but if you knew my dreams, you would understand.”