KISS

by Catherine Chernow

  "Right,” Kat said, mulish. “Michael. If he sees you with me, he'll just start pestering me with a load of questions."

  Jared shook his head. “Have no fear, Jared's here.” He got out of the car and circled the front of it, glancing in Michael's direction. He watched them, pushing his glasses up on his nose.

  Jared arrived at the passenger side door and opened it for Kat. She stepped out, directly into his arms. Jared pushed her against the car and kissed her. Hard. He didn't stop for several minutes.

  "Jared!” she gasped. “Oh my, Jared...” she kissed him back.

  When she looked up next, Michael was gone. She heard the low rumble in Jared's chest—saw the mirth in his dark eyes. “He's such a chicken shit,” he said, shaking his head.

  She stuck her chin out at him. “Don't say that. It's not nice."

  "But it's true, Kat. If that were me and I saw you kissing another man, I'd..."

  "What?” she asked softly, trailing a finger over his chin. “What would you do?"

  "Well, first I'd haul off and pound him to pieces, then ... well, then I'd drag you away and pound your bottom."

  She grinned. “You wouldn't."

  He frowned. “I would. Then I'd make love to you so long and hard, you would never, ever stray again."

  "Ah, my panther,” she crooned, reaching around his waist with both of her arms, she hauled him close to her. “So ... masterful."

  He reached down and pinched her bottom. She yelped in response and sauntered away.

  "Kat!” she heard him call out. She stopped at the first step and turned. “Your bag.” He held it up, the strap dangling over two fingers.

  She came back to retrieve it. When she reached for it, he leaned in and kissed her again. She walked away.

  "Kat!” he called out again when she was on the fourth step. She turned back to look at him. A slight breeze ruffled his dark hair. The deep bronze of his skin glowed in the summer sun. “I love you.” Jared mouthed to her.

  She felt her insides turn to mush. Kat blew him a kiss and mouthed in return, ‘I love you, too.’”

  Then she let herself into KISS to begin her day, her heart feeling lighter than it had in ages.

  * * * *

  At two o'clock that afternoon, Kat turned to Melissa and said, “Think you could hold down the fort for a little while?"

  "Sure,” Melissa answered, excited. “It's no problem."

  Kat reached for her handbag and withdrew her cell phone. “I'm just going next door for a little while.” She studied Melissa's bright, eager face, remembering how it felt the first time she went to work for one of the leading designers of women's lingerie. Excitement coursed through her veins every day, each new day being a wonderful, creative, learning experience. Maybe, she thought to herself, it was time she let go of some of the reins here at KISS and gave Melissa a little more responsibility. It would give her a little more free time ... to be with Jared.

  Jared. She wondered how he was doing, wondered how his father was. If Melissa could spend some more time at KISS, Kat would be able to visit Sam Martin a little more often. It was the strangest thing ... when she had gone to see Jared's father, she had walked into his sick room, bold as brass. The odor hadn't consumed her the way it did when she walked into her mother's room at her house. She had smelled the odor of sickness, knew it was there, yet she had managed to stay with Sam.

  "Kat?"

  She turned toward the sound of Melissa's voice.

  "You can go. Don't worry about anything. I'll handle KISS while you're gone.” She patted Kat's hand. “You can trust me."

  Trust. It was such a tenuous thing. She had to trust Melissa to give her more responsibilities at KISS. It was like entrusting someone with ... a beloved child. KISS was Kat's baby. She had nurtured it through its infancy, helped it grow, and now, it was time to let go...

  If only a little. Baby steps. That's what she needed to do.

  KISS. Her haven. Her refuge.

  She shook her head to clear it, placing her cell phone in the pocket of the Capri-style pants she wore.

  "Okay then, I'll be back shortly. Call me if you need me.” Kat grabbed a pink shopping bag bearing KISS’ logo and walked out.

  * * * *

  Kat walked into Noone's Nest that afternoon, clutching the handles of the shopping bag. She wondered if Nancy would even bother to see her. After their last heated encounter, Kat didn't blame her in the least if she wouldn't speak with her. She had been selfish, so self-centered not to see that Nancy was hurting.

  The birds in their cages cawed and squawked, ruffling the bright plumage.

  "Hey, big boy,” Kat crooned to the large Cockatiel, her favorite.

  He spread his wings, and turned his head to look at her. “Hey, big boy,” he repeated then squawked.

  She laughed, realizing that soon, she wouldn't be able to come in here and see Nancy. They wouldn't be able to talk, to share, to sip their favorite coffee together...

  "Hi Kat."

  Kat turned to face Nancy. “Hi."

  They stood like that for several seconds, not speaking. Finally, Nancy broke the strained silence. “Want to come in the back for a while? We could, uh, talk there."

  "Sure,” Kat replied, following Nancy as she led the way.

  When they got to Nancy's office, she let Kat go in first and take a seat, then she did the same. Kat didn't know what to say. How do you say what a fool you've been? That you've been stupid and insensitive to one of your oldest, dearest, friends...

  "Here,” she reached down and grabbed the shopping bag. “This is for you."

  Nancy took the bag from Kat's outstretched hands. “I ... for me?"

  Kat smiled tentatively. “For you."

  Nancy looked at the bright pink tissue lining the bag. She removed the pieces of tissue, placing them gently on the desk, smoothing out the wrinkles of each piece. Then she reached down into the bag and removed its contents.

  It was the midnight blue illusion gown. Nancy ran her hand over the delicate Brazilian lace, trailing her fingers over the alternate diagonal stripes of silk and midnight blue mesh.

  "I figured it would look nice on you ... against your coloring and your blonde hair."

  "It's beautiful Kat.” Nancy placed it back in the bag.

  There was another few seconds of silence. Kat swallowed hard, thinking of what to say next. “I'm sorry,” slipped from her lips. She said it at the exact same time that Nancy did.

  She looked at Nancy. Nancy looked at her. The tension in the air eased as they smiled at each other.

  Nancy reached for her hand. “I was stupid, Kat. I was feeling sorry for myself and well, I-I took it out on you that day you came to see me."

  Kat shook her head. “You have every right to feel bad, Nancy. And I was being stupid ... stupid and selfish. I should have been there for you; I should have ... I shouldn't have been so wrapped up ... in Summerville."

  Nancy grinned. “But Summerville is you, Kat. I know that.” She looked away for a few seconds. “I'm going to miss it."

  Kat's smiled faded, her throat constricted. “I'll miss you and ... the boys."

  Nancy swiped at her cheeks. “They'll miss you."

  "Do you know where you're going?” Kat's heart pounded.

  "I've got a buyer for the house. We're going to Florida. I-I think it's better if I make a clean break. Get off Long Island ... get out of New York."

  "Of course,” Kat replied, understanding ... but her heart was slowly breaking. “How are the boys taking that?"

  Nancy shrugged. “The two younger ones are okay, but Michael, it's a little rough for him. He's got more going on here simply because he's older."

  "Jared had mentioned that, well, you'd be back to work in the store. I-I guess,” Kat shrugged, feeling helpless and rotten all at the same time. “I guess you can't ... I mean ... if you're going to be in Florida."

  Nancy reached for Kat's hands, taking them in her own. “We'll always, always be friends. That
won't ever change.” She squeezed Kat's fingers gently. “But I've got to do this, Kat. I've got to start over."

  "I know, I know ... I-I wish you well, Nancy. You have to know that. I really do."

  "Thank you for understanding.” She squeezed Kat's fingers one last time, then pulled away.

  "When will you leave?"

  Nancy thought for a few seconds. “By the time we close on the house and I get some things in order. We should be ... gone by next month."

  "I-I didn't think it would that fast."

  "You'll come and visit us, Kat.” Nancy said quickly. “You know you can. I want you to visit and ... we'll be back to visit, too. Bill's parents are here; they're still my boys’ grandparents."

  "Of course.” Her throat felt tight.

  "Remember how we used to stay up all night ... doing our hair, putting on makeup?"

  The memory Nancy spoke of surfaced in Kat's mind. “I remember. We used to do that on a Friday night. You'd sleep over my house..."

  "...Or I'd sleep over yours. I used to love coming to your house; your mom had such great snacks."

  "She did, didn't she?"

  Nancy smiled. “You still do that."

  "What?"

  "You're still having makeup parties and dress-up parties only ... now, well, now it's for a different reason.” Nancy leaned over to hug her. “You were always so talented, so kind, so caring..."

  Kat shut her eyes, enjoying the closeness that only two lifelong friends could share. She hugged Nancy in return, patting her back.

  "And you are, absolutely, one of the best, dearest friends. I love you,” she whispered.

  She broke away from Nancy when the tears started to flow. Reaching into her bag, she withdrew a pack of tissues. When she looked up next tears streamed from Nancy's eyes, too. “Here,” she passed her a tissue. “Looks as though you need one, too."

  Nancy laughed, blowing her nose loudly in the tissue.

  Kat leaned back and smiled. “You always did sound like a foghorn when you do that."

  That brought on a peal of laughter from Nancy.

  Kat stood. “Well, I have to get back to KISS, but before I go...” She reached into her handbag one last time and withdrew an envelope. “The next installment.” She smiled at Nancy.

  Nancy reached for the envelope. She opened it, withdrawing a check.

  "A thousand dollars,” she whispered. She looked up at Kat, her eyes shiny. “You don't have to keep doing this. When I move..."

  Kat reached out and squeezed Nancy's upper arm gently. “I want to. I ... need to. It's for the boys’ college fund, you know that. I'll always want to do that."

  "Thank you.” Nancy placed the check back in the envelope and put it on the desk.

  They walked to the front of Noone's Nest in silence. When they got to the birdcages, Kat's favorite began to sing...

  Hello, Dolly! Well, hello, Dolly. It's so nice to have you back where you belong...

  Summerville. It's where she belonged, but not Nancy. Summerville couldn't be Nancy's home anymore. It was time to move on.

  "Goodbye, Kat and ... and..."

  Kat reached for her friend and hugged her tight.

  "You're a good person, Kat Sullivan,” Nancy whispered.

  With that, Kat made a hasty exit.

  She didn't stop until she reached KISS.

  Her haven ... her home.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Seventeen

  That evening, Kat took great pains with her appearance. She fussed and fumed, trying to decide what to wear to the concert. Running a hand through her hair, she decided to wear it down ... for Jared.

  Jared. She glanced at the clock. He'd be there in another hour. Her heart skipped a beat just thinking about it. Soon, she'd be in his arms again. The day had dragged, except for her time with Nancy. Kat couldn't wait for the last customer to leave KISS that evening. She left Melissa to close and lock up, and then she hurried home to get ready.

  She looked at the array of clothing she had tossed on her bed, her eyes finally settling on a black and white floral print sundress. Kat grabbed it and walked over to the full-length mirror. Holding the dress up in front of her, she smiled at her reflection. Yes, she thought, perfect. The dress would be perfect for the evening's festivities. It had all the polish of a two-piece outfit, but with the casual ease of a sundress. The solid black, stretch-jersey bodice led into a black and white floral print skirt. Tiny birds peeked out from the stunning floral print.

  Underneath the sundress, she decided to wear a black bandeau bra and ‘shorts’ set. Faux, inlaid lacing decorated the bra and thong-style ‘shorts.’ She slipped into the bandeau-bra and adjusted the array of sexy, crisscross straps in the back. Then she stepped into the panty, shimmying it up her legs. Kat turned to view the thong in the back, decorated with the same crisscross pattern of beguiling straps, stretching across the top swell of her bottom. Kat viewed her reflection once more, turning this way and that, taking in every nuance of her appearance.

  Jared didn't stand a chance.

  She reached for the sundress, and stepped into it, sliding it up her body. When it was in place, she marveled at the effect. The bandeau bra gave the bodice a smooth, unlined appearance and supported her breasts beautifully. She slipped her feet into a pair of black leather, wedge-style flip-flops, decorated with small, black beads.

  Kat walked over to her dressing table. Opening the jewelry box, she reached it and retrieved a pair of black onyx earrings. Her mother's. They would be the only jewelry she'd wear that evening. She placed them on her ears, securing the clasp in the back and gazed at her reflection in the dressing table mirror. It was her mother's face she saw, not hers. Kat turned around quickly, expecting to see her mother behind her, but there was no one there. Kat tidied up her bedroom and grabbed her handbag. She walked out and shut the door, then made her way down the hallway.

  She stopped in front of her mother's bedroom. Without another thought, Kat opened the door and walked in. She shut the door quickly and leaned against it to steady her shaky legs. Then she looked around. Everything was still the same ... the bureau that stood at one end of the room, the end tables ... the double bed where her parents had slept ... the same bed that she and her mother nursed Stacy in, during Stacy's final days.

  It was the same bed Kat had nursed her mother in. Kat walked over and sat on the mattress, running her hand over the crocheted bedspread.

  She shook her head. It was the strangest thing ... she didn't smell it. She didn't smell that horrible odor of sickness and death. A host of memories hit her instead. Memories of her and her older sister, Stacy, jumping into bed in the early morning hours ... waking their parents on the weekend when they wanted to sleep.

  Memories of seeing her mother at her dressing table—putting on her makeup and jewelry. Her mother had loved getting dressed up, wearing makeup, even if it were just to take in a movie with Kat's father.

  She shut her eyes as the sweet, sweet memories washed over her, opening them when she heard a car pull into her driveway. Kat got up from the bed and walked over to the window. She peered through the curtains and saw a black Jaguar pull into her driveway.

  Jared.

  She watched him as he got out of the car, uncurling his long, lean, muscled frame from the Jag's interior.

  She hurried to the door, stopping one last time to look back at the bed. No more memories of sickness ... of death. From now on, there'd be only memories of life ... and love.

  Kat opened the door and walked out, ready to begin a new journey.

  Ready to begin a life that included Jared.

  * * * *

  Kat hurried down the steps and opened her door on the second ring of the bell. Jared stood on the other side, looking handsome and relaxed in a pair of classic cut, dark, straight leg trousers. The luxurious cotton fabric hugged his long, lean legs. His short-sleeve shirt stretched across the width of his broad chest, the subtle vertical patterning making his lo
ng torso appear even longer.

  "Hi,” she smiled and reached out to run a finger along his smooth, angled chin. “You shaved,” she angled her head, her grin widening.

  Jared laughed. “Typical woman. Here I go to great pains with my appearance and all she can say is, ‘You shaved.’”

  Quick as lightning he crossed the threshold of her door and picked Kat up in his arms, twirling her around in a wide arc. She clutched his shoulders as her feet left the floor, enjoying the feel of his hard body against hers. Jared kissed her soundly then stopped twirling long enough to let her slide down the front of him. He kissed her again, deeper and longer, releasing her just long enough to let her catch her breath.

  "How is your father?” She asked on a whisper. Resting her forehead against his, she stayed within the circle of his arms.

  "He had a good day today."

  "I'm glad,” she said around a sigh. Kat fingered the collar of his shirt, enjoying the light silky feel.

  Jared leaned back to look down into her face—her eyes met his. He smiled and ran his fingers though her hair. “He had a lucid moment, Kat."

  Her eyes widened. “He did? Oh Jared, that's wonderful."

  His arms remained around her waist, loose, but secure. “He did. And do you know what he asked me?"

  "No, what?” She shook her head.

  He grinned. “Kiss me again and I'll tell you."

  "Oh, you!” She swatted his shoulder. “Don't keep me in suspense, tell me what he said."

  He tugged her closer. “Uh, uh. Kiss me. Kiss me and then I'll tell you."

  She lifted her face to his and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

  "Nope,” he told her. “Not good enough."

  She sighed, “Jared...” she said in warning.

  "If you want to know what my father said, then you'll have to do a better job of kissing me."

  "God, you're silly!” She stood on her toes and reached up again, running the tip of her tongue across his lower lip, letting it settle in the corner of his mouth. She tickled it until his mouth opened then she fused her lips with his and kissed him deeply.

  She felt him shudder.

  "Now that's a kiss.” He leaned down to kiss her again, but she pushed at his shoulders.