"Maybe you should check that," she said.
"Finding out what's going on with you is more important."
"You don't know that unless you check it."
I frowned. "I know that there's nothing more important than you." Frustration lanced through me, but I reminded myself that I needed to be patient.
"You should check it. I'm fine. I just need to rest,” she insisted.
I studied her, not believing her. But whatever it was, she wasn’t going to tell me.
"I had a lovely time today, Sam. I really did."
I began to wonder if maybe taking her on a tour of my life was a bad idea. Had she been thinking the whole time that this could have been her city and her life if only I hadn't fucked up five years ago?
I took her hand, clasping it with mine to my heart. "At some point, we really need to talk, Kate."
The tension in her face was immediate, as was the resistance showing in her eyes.
"I don't want to scare you, and now isn't the right time. But it should be soon." At some point, I’d need to insist on it. We couldn’t have a future until we fully dealt with the past.
She swallowed, and relief showed in her eyes that I wasn’t going to push her now. I tried not to be hurt by the fact that she didn't want to talk to me.
I leaned over and kissed her. "I have a lot to be thankful for this year, but the biggest one is that you're here with me now."
I gave her another quick kiss and moved to get off the bed.
"Sam?"
I turned, waiting to hear what she wanted to say.
She shook her head. "Never mind. It can wait. Go spend some time with your family."
I wanted to press her, but she turned over, settling into her pillow, so I let her sleep. What the hell was going on with her? Was this a good sign? Did it mean her defenses were down? I didn't think so. There was something going on with her. Tomorrow wouldn't be a good day to ferret it out since it was Thanksgiving, but I'd use the plane ride home on Friday to get it out of her.
I headed downstairs to the basement theater. Sure enough, Vivie was there watching a rom-com. Max was with her. They were sharing a large bowl of popcorn.
"Where's Kate?" Vivie asked.
"She is jetlagged, so she's gone to bed early."
"She seems different," Max said, handing the bowl of popcorn to me.
"She's just nervous about being around the family."
"She's nervous around us? We’re a family of cream puffs." Vivie laughed.
"I know. But she's had some experiences in the past that make her wary of people." I was a part of it, which was why I needed to be patient and understanding.
"Well, she's here. That's a good sign,” Max said.
I nodded as I popped a handful of popcorn into my mouth and hoped that he was right.
The next day, I woke up around eight thirty, which was five thirty back in California. I looked over at Kate who was still sound asleep in the bed. Her fatigue and subdued behavior concerned me.
Was she sick? Whatever it was, I wouldn’t get the answer now, so I let her sleep in as I showered, dressed, and headed downstairs.
In the kitchen, my mom and dad, Max, and Vivie were all scurrying around getting ready for Thanksgiving. My parents always gave the household staff Thanksgiving all the way through to Sunday off, so it was a family tradition to make Thanksgiving meals together.