Page 95 of Solo

K: Just in case what? Another rogue blizzard comes our way?

D: Stranger things have happened.

K: Fine. Fine. But I’ve got to work in the morning so it can’t be a late night. AND you know the rules about the other stuff.

D: I do.

K: And you plan to abide by them?

K: D? You there?

D: Just thinking.

K: About what?

D: Loopholes. For every rule there’s always a loophole…

K: Not this time, buddy :)

D: Are you leaving now?

K: No.

D: Come on, don’t back out!

K: I’m not. I got in my car the second you mentioned steak. I’ll be there in ten minutes and I expect to be greeted with a kiss at the front door.

D: Just try and stop me!

Chapter Forty-Four

Kate

When the clock strikes midnight on the worst day of your life, no one is there to warn you. It’s not something you circle on your calendar. You don’t get a heads-up or a reminder phone call or a Save the Date! postcard in the mail. And it sure as hell isn’t as if you just wake up knowing.

I’m sure some people would say that’s a good thing—that they’d rather not see it coming. I am not one of those people. I’d rather know. Because, the way I see it, the only thing worse than being blindsided, is looking up at the second of impact to see that someone you know is driving the car that’s about to flatten your ass. Then, instead of all those happy memories and faces of loved ones that should be passing before your eyes, the only thing you can think is ‘Dude! What the fuck?’

“Have a good day,” Drew mumbles from somewhere under the covers of the bed.

I bend over and kiss the back of his head.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” I whisper.

He rolls over and gives me a sleepy smile.

“Nah, I have to get up soon anyway. I have a meeting with Maureen this morning. She’s going to have a look at my final presentation for the tenure committee.”

“Oh! So, there might be something special to celebrate tonight,” I say with a coy smile.

He reaches out and grabs me by the waist, dragging me back into bed with him.

“Drew!” I squeal as he manages to flip me over on my back and cage me in with his body.

“Ha! I’ve got you!” he proclaims triumphantly. “And I’m going to keep you here, with me, in this bed. All. Day. Long,” he says, delivering a kiss between each of the last three words for emphasis.

“Oh no!” I say with false dismay. “Whatever will you do with me all day, you wicked, wicked man?”

“Wouldn’t you just love to know,” he murmurs, now kissing the spot behind my ear that makes my eyes roll back in my head.