Though if she had another night like last night, then she’d have a hot shower and hours on the couch watching television to look forward to.
She didn’t get it. People were supposed to sleep a lot when they were unhappy. She’d hardly slept at all since her return from Anguilla, and it was catching up to her. That afternoon, she’d put sugar instead of salt into the cream sauce she’d made. Only by accident, had she discovered her mistake before it was served. Yesterday at home, she’d cut herse
lf while chopping onions, a task she could usually do blindfolded. If she missed much more sleep, she’d either maim herself or get herself fired. At this point, she didn’t know which was worse.
Kiera turned off the stove and tried to think more positive thoughts. She had tomorrow off, and it was supposed to be a beautiful day.
“Are you working tomorrow?” Phyllis, a co-worker, asked as she stopped next to Kiera’s car after work.
“No, I have tomorrow and Tuesday off. I’ll be here Wednesday night.”
“I guess I won’t see you again until next week. Tuesday starts my vacation. Have a good week.”
Kiera unlocked her car door. “You, too. Have fun.”
Phyllis got into a car and leaned over to kiss the driver.
The nagging ache in Kiera’s chest tightened. She rubbed a hand over her heart and wished the pain would turn to hate. Hate would be much easier to handle, and she wanted to hate Gray. He’d betrayed her and destroyed their friendship. The stupid emotion refused to come no matter how many times she reminded herself of what he had done.
“No more thoughts of him tonight,” Kiera said. If she said the words aloud enough, her mind might listen eventually. “Think about a hot shower.” She started the car and cranked up the radio.
She started singing the chorus of the song on the radio when her phone interrupted her. Gray’s name showed up in bright white letters. They hadn’t talked since the day he showed up at her loft.
Kiera reached for the phone the same way she would a rattlesnake, but it stopped ringing before she could answer it or decline the call. Before she could put the phone down, it rang again. This time she hit decline. “Please don’t ring again.”
Her plea went unheard.
“Hello.”
“I didn’t wake you, did I? I thought you’d be on your way home from work.”
Gray’s voice washed over her, dragging up the emotions she’d been pushing down every day since their vacation.
“I’m driving home now. What do you want?”
He didn’t answer right away, and she wondered if she’d lost the call.
“Kiera, I need to see you. There are things I need to explain.”
“There’s nothing more to say, Gray. Just leave me alone.” A few tears rolled down her cheeks.
“That’s not true. Give me an hour. That’s all I’m asking.”
Did she hear desperation in his voice? No, it was probably guilt. Well, at least he felt that well deserved emotion.
“Fine. One hour that’s it. I’ll meet you at Ambrosia on Benefit Street tomorrow.” She didn’t want him at her place or anywhere near it.
“The things I need to explain, I can’t say there.”
“Where then? Not at my apartment or yours.”
“I need you to come to DC. I’m here now.”
He’d lost his mind. He wanted to talk but expected her to travel. “No. We can meet whenever you get back.”
“I’m asking a lot, but please we need to have this conversation at the White House. Come down here and let me explain. Afterward, I’ll leave you alone if you want. You have my promise. I’ll pay for you to fly down. If you want, I’ll ask Jake to pick you up at the airport instead of me. He can drive you back later too.”
The White House? “Why there?”