by Ruff, K. S.
He nodded toward an exit ramp. “Exit here. The good news is that your address and phone number don’t appear anywhere on the Internet.”
“Well, that didn’t stop my stalker from tracking me down at work.” As soon as I registered what I said, I slammed my mouth shut. I hadn’t intended to bring up the stalker again. Unfortunately, my mouth didn’t get the memo.
“Some of the press releases mentioned that you’d be working for Senator Rockefeller.” He glanced out the window. “The Verizon store is two blocks up, on your left.”
“I didn’t think of that,” I murmured. I glanced in my rear view mirror and moved to the inside lane.
Kadyn’s gaze lingered on my face. “Those senate buildings are pretty secure. You just need to make sure he doesn’t follow you home. So, what’s the story on this guy?”
I turned into the parking lot and parked the jeep. I glanced at Kadyn as we began walking toward the store. “It’s not much of a story. We went on four dates, he proposed, I said no, he lost his mind… so I had to get a restraining order.”
Kadyn stepped forward and opened the door. He followed me into the store. “Those must have been some dates. Are you getting another LG?”
I glanced down at my phone. I was surprised he had noticed it was an LG. “Yes to the LG. No to the dates. We had lunch twice and dinner twice. That’s it.” I felt a pang of guilt at the half-truth. The dates hadn’t been anything extraordinary, but the physical attraction between Michael and me had scared the crap out of me. I had come darn close to sleeping with him, but I wasn’t going to admit that to Kadyn.
A salesman approached us. “Can I help you?”
I focused my attention on the task at hand. “Yes. I'm due for an upgrade on my phone. I’d like to get the new LG Dare. Can you set that up for me?” I handed the salesman my driver’s license, credit card, and cell phone. “Please make sure all of my contacts, music, and photos are transferred to the new phone. Thanks.”
I sighed heavily as I turned to face Kadyn. “I just learned that Michael is wanted for a number of white collar crimes in Portugal, he may be connected to some Eastern European terrorist group, and there’s a good chance he’s in the United States illegally.” I figured I might as well lay it all out on the table.
Kadyn stilled. “What did you say this guy’s name is?”
My eyes widened when I saw his muscles tense. I swallowed nervously. “Michael Garcia.”
Kadyn nodded, once. “Good to know.”
We wandered over to the counter where the sales clerk was programming my new phone. I signed the charge slip while he offered some instructions. He had me confirm the list of contacts and pictures had transferred over to the new phone before handing me a shopping bag and my old phone. “Here you go. You’re all set.”
“Thanks,” I responded as I admired the sleek new phone. Kadyn and I walked back to the jeep.
“Do you mind if I look at your phone?” Kadyn asked as we climbed into the jeep.
I smiled as I handed him the cell phone. “Not at all.”
“Turn left out of the parking lot. Then turn left when you hit Route 1. You’ll go through a couple of traffic lights before you see PetSmart and Target in a shopping center on your right,” Kadyn noted before settling into his seat. The conversation stalled while he played with my phone. He looked up when I pulled into the PetSmart parking lot. “What kind of dog do you have?”
I glanced at him as we climbed out of the jeep. “How did you know I have a dog?”
He handed me the phone. “There’s a ball in the back seat.”
I shook my head and laughed. Kadyn was proving insanely observant. “I have a Shih Tzu. He’s essentially a nine pound ball of fur with a ninety pound personality.”
Kadyn smiled as we began walking toward the store. “What’s his name?”
I chuckled softly. “His name is Cade.” I snuck a sidelong glance at Kadyn to see how he’d respond to having nearly the same name as my dog.
Kadyn stopped walking. “You can’t be serious.”
I laughed at the look on his face. “Actually, I am. His registered name is Master Cade Tasha’s Pride.”
“Well, that certainly explains the attitude,” Kadyn remarked as he resumed walking.
Kadyn and I stopped to look at the birds before I grabbed a few things for Cade. He carried the dog food back out to the jeep. We tossed the dog food, shampoo, and squeaky toy into the back of my jeep before we walked over to Target.
Kadyn helped me pick out a birthday present for Siobhan. We settled on a glow in the dark teddy bear that she could color with markers. He went to the electronics department to grab some ink cartridges for his printer while I picked out a card and some wrapping paper for Siobhan. We checked out, then walked back over to the PetSmart parking lot.
I set my shopping bags in the back of the jeep. “Where did you grow up, Kadyn?”
He glanced at me as we climbed into the jeep. “I grew up just outside of Chicago, in Aurora, Illinois.”
I slid the key into the ignition, then backed out of the parking space. “So, what made you decide to join the Air Force and study at the academy?”
A huge smile spread across Kadyn’s face. “How do you know I went to the academy?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “I asked my friend, Dan, to check you out. He’s a Navy veteran.”
Kadyn chuckled. “I guess we’re even then.” He paused as he glanced at an incoming text on his cell phone. “The Air Force Academy has one of the best computer science programs in the country, and I wanted to play for their football team.”
I turned onto Route 1 as I retraced my steps back home. “Have you ever been deployed?”
Kadyn nodded. “Once, to Saudi Arabia, shortly after I was stationed in South Carolina.”
“Where else have you been stationed?” I asked curiously.
Kadyn shoved the cell phone in his pocket and turned to face me. “I just moved from South Carolina to Virginia in August for a two year assignment at the Pentagon.”
“Are you still at risk of being deployed?” I asked, suddenly concerned.
He shrugged. “I’m currently assigned to the Secretary of Defense. I travel with him on occasion, and I might have to go TDY, but I’m not likely to be deployed while I’m serving in this position.”
I merged onto the exit ramp for I-395 South. “Both of my brothers served in the Marines, and they were both deployed to Iraq. One of my brothers was running weapons to the front lines. I was so scared. Every time I heard a news report about our troops being injured or killed, I ended up sobbing. I kept waiting for that phone call… for someone to tell me that my brothers had been killed. That’s not an experience I want to repeat.”
Kadyn nodded. His face was completely unreadable.
I groaned softly when I realized I might have offended him. “I’m sorry, Kadyn. I really admire your willingness to make that sacrifice. I just don’t know how to live with that kind of fear, knowing the person you love is in constant danger and at risk of being killed.”
“I think it’s harder on the families than it is on the person being deployed,” he responded thoughtfully.
I pulled through the security gate for our apartment complex and drove to the front of Kadyn’s apartment. I hated ending our conversation on such a negative note. I offered him an apologetic look. “Thanks for coming with me, Kadyn. I really enjoyed hanging out with you.”
He smiled. “No problem, Kri. Give me a call if you want to check out the gym or if you need more help finding your way around.”
I felt a huge pang of regret as I watched Kadyn walk away. Did I really just tell the guy I couldn’t stomach a relationship with him because he might be deployed? I groaned as my head hit the steering wheel. Although I had no intention of dating Kadyn, I was certain I had just royally screwed up.
Chapter 5 – Fix you
On Monday, I ran from one meeting to another while trying to sell Senators Jeffords, Snowe, and Collins on th
e Medicare Early Buy-in Bill. I missed lunch as a result of all the meetings. I was scrambling to pull things together for Senator Rockefeller’s book when my phone rang.
I reached for the phone. “Senator Rockefeller’s Office, Kristine speaking.”
“Hi, Kri. It’s Justin. Please don’t hang up.”
I groaned loudly. “Justin, why are you calling me?” I began massaging my forehead with my left hand. I thought I might be able to work the deeply embedded loser magnet loose. First Tom, then Michael, then Justin… dear God.
“Please hear me out, Kri. I’m so sorry about what happened. I’m sorry I lied to you. I didn’t want to hurt you. I love you. I want to come see you and work things out. Please, just give me a chance.”
“I am at work,” I gritted out. “I am not having this conversation with you. I don’t want to see you again. Don’t ever call me again.” I slammed the phone into the receiver. I buried my head in my arms as I flung them across my desk.
“Hey. Are you okay?” Patrick asked as he approached my desk.
“Just peachy,” I muttered with my head still buried in my arms. My voice and attitude were the polar opposite of peachy.
“I brought you something,” he responded teasingly. He was clearly trying to perk me up.
I slowly lifted my head. “What?”
“A grande, extra hot, toffee nut latte with an extra shot and an orange chocolate chip scone,” he announced proudly.
I jumped out of the chair and flung my arms around his neck. “Oh my God! You’re officially my new best friend!”
He stood there awkwardly, trying not to spill the coffee.
I reached for the coffee and scone. “Thank you so much. I missed lunch, and I just had the crappiest phone call ever. I so needed this!”
Patrick smiled. “I figured you’d miss lunch with all those meetings scheduled back to back. Any luck with the Rs?” We commonly referred to republicans as “Rs” and democrats as “Dems.” I had absolutely no idea why.
I took a sip of coffee as I sank into my chair. “Not yet. They’re mulling it over. I doubt they’ll co-sponsor unless Senator Rockefeller is willing to throw his support behind one of their bills. I just have to find the right piece of legislation, one that’s consistent with Rockefeller’s priorities.”
Patrick took a sip of coffee before settling into his chair. “Is that what you’re working on now?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m just pulling some things together for the book. I need to conduct some research on the bills those senators are sponsoring before I can make any recommendations to Senator Rockefeller.”
“Let me know if I can help,” Patrick responded before sifting through some paperwork.
I smiled. “Thanks, Patrick. I really appreciate it.” I shifted my attention to my own pile of paperwork.
All thoughts of Justin faded as I immersed myself in work. I felt infinitely better about my day. It really was amazing how a little cup of coffee could turn things around.
* * * * * *
The next two days were equally hectic, and yet they still managed to fade into nothingness. I barely registered the passage of time. I blinked and suddenly found myself sprawled out on my couch, too exhausted to fix dinner or even shower after my workout at the gym.
I was nodding off to sleep when my cell phone ripped me out of the work-induced coma. I answered without bothering to look at the number on my screen. “Hello?”
“Hi, Kri. This is Kadyn.”
I shot upright, suddenly wide awake. “Hi. How are you?”
“Good. I was calling to see if you wanted to join me and some of my friends at King Street Blues for dinner Friday night.”
I grew quiet as I pondered the invitation. Me and some of my friends. That would be like hanging out with friends, not really a date, right? I bit my bottom lip. “Are there any other girls going?”
“Yes. Two or three. These are my Air Force friends. We get together just about every weekend. They're fun. I think you’ll like them.”
“Okay. So this isn’t a date?” I confirmed with a hint of relief. My mouth fell open. I couldn’t believe I’d just asked him that. I slapped my forehead. Hard.
Cade jumped off the couch, presumably looking for someplace to hide. It was that embarrassing.
“Do you want it to be a date?” Kadyn inquired after a rather lengthy pause.
I jumped up from the couch. Crap! Did he just throw this back on me by answering a question with a question? Crap, crap, crap! I immediately began pacing across my living room.
“Kri?”
I groaned. I knew what I was about to say was going to sound stupid as all get out. “Well, here’s the thing. I kind of decided that I’m not dating anyone while I'm in DC. I'm planning to move back to Montana at the end of the fellowship, and I don’t want to be tempted to stay. I just don’t want to give you the wrong impression by saying yes; but I really enjoyed spending time with you on Sunday. So, if you're okay with not dating, then I’d like to join you and your friends.” Well, if that wasn’t the nail in the coffin on the only sane guy that had shown interest in me in over a decade…
The phone line grew quiet. “I’m okay with that,” Kadyn finally responded.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I cringed when I realized he had probably heard me. “Okay. Great. Should I meet you there?”
“Why don’t we go together?” he responded. “That way you won’t have to drive home by yourself after dark. Can I pick you up at seven?”
I glanced at Cade as he peeked around the corner of the hallway. “Sure. I’m in building five. Apartment 1D.”
“Okay. I’ll see you at seven o’clock on Friday night, then.”
I reached down and ruffled the fur on Cade’s head as he returned to my side. “Thanks for inviting me, Kadyn.”
“Anytime,” he replied.
I sighed as I ended the call. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was blowing it with one of the last few nice guys walking the planet.
* * * * * *
After considerable debate, I decided to wear a black scoop neck shirt with a short, softly pleated gray skirt for my non-date with Kadyn. I paired the outfit with black knee length dress boots. I was refreshing my mascara and lip gloss when the doorbell rang.
“Hey,” I greeted as I opened the door.
“Hey,” Kadyn responded with a smile. He was wearing faded blue jeans that were just the right kind of baggy, a dark brown Henley shirt that fit snug across his chest, and a brown leather jacket.
I tried not to swoon at the scent of sandalwood and leather. “You look nice,” I commented nervously.
“You too,” he responded with an even bigger smile.
This is not a date, I reminded my traitorous stomach.
Kadyn reached down to pet Cade, who had joined us at the door. “This must be Cade, the nine pound dog with the ninety pound attitude.”
I stared at Cade in shock when he let Kadyn pet him. “The one and only,” I confirmed as I scooped up my raincoat. The weather had been fluctuating a lot lately, so I was wondering whether I’d need a warmer coat.
Kadyn led the way to a black Acura TL, which was parked in the fire lane just outside my apartment. He opened the passenger door for me.
Still not a date, I chided my quickening pulse.
We made small talk as we drove into Old Town, Alexandria. I had never seen Old Town at night. King Street was beautifully lit. Thousands of white lights had been woven around the trees that lined both sides of the street.
Kadyn parked his car. He tucked my hand in the crook of his arm as we walked out of the parking garage. I suspected he didn’t trust me to walk in the boots, given my inability to manage them while sitting on a stool.
I felt my resolve falter as I admired the twinkling lights, the cobblestone sidewalks, and the couples who passed by us with their heads tucked together romantically. My footsteps kept time with the chanting in my head. It’s not a date… It’s not a date… It’s not a date.
..
Kadyn and I stopped abruptly in front of King Street Blues. The restaurant was a two story brick building painted in a Cape Cod blue. The windows and door were trimmed in yellow, and they were lit with red neon lights. We stared at the mural on the side of the building, which depicted two pigs dressed up like the blues brothers.
I laughed.
Kadyn just shook his head. He opened the door to the restaurant, then followed me inside.
I stood there gaping at the inside of the restaurant. The place had been attacked by an incredibly bored artist. The walls were covered with wild murals. Strange looking paper mache animals and people were all tangled up eating, drinking, and playing instruments.
Kadyn led me through the crowded bar to the dining area upstairs. His friends were seated at two tables that had been pulled together in the center of the room.
One of the men waved at Kadyn as we reached the top of the stairs. “Hey, Kadyn! You’ve got to try these roadhouse nachos!”
I glanced at their plates as we approached the table. They were heaped with homemade potato chips, barbeque pork, cheese, onions, sour cream, and guacamole. I leaned toward Kadyn and whispered, “I hope they taste better than they look.”
He laughed as he helped me out of my coat. He draped my coat over the back of the chair he’d pulled out for me and slid his coat off as we settled into our seats.
I quietly studied his circle of friends. Everyone seated at the table looked to be my age or younger, and every one of them was in really good shape. People working on the Hill came in all shapes and sizes. If Kadyn’s friends were any indication, this did not hold true for the Pentagon.
Kadyn introduced me to a really pretty Hispanic girl named Cenia, who was sitting on my left. Her shiny black hair was cut in a chin length bob. She appeared to be a few inches shorter than me. She had pretty brown eyes and a beautiful smile. She had been ribbing some of the other people at the table when we first joined the group. I was instantly drawn to her spunky attitude.
Roger was sitting next to Cenia. He rose to shake my hand. He had a Southern drawl which made him seem every bit the gentleman, although the mischievous look sparking in his eyes suggested otherwise. Roger looked like the kind of guy who could stir up trouble and look so innocent doing it that no one would think to blame him. His light brown hair was trimmed just above the collar. He draped his arm across the back of Cenia’s chair and sat back down with a wink.