Zach isn’t like that. You know he’s not.
“I’m trying,” she managed while her brain whirled with confusing thoughts.
“I know you are.”
There was a wail from the bedroom that had Kayla bolting upright. Zach got up too. “She rarely wakes once she’s down, but sometimes she does. I need to check on her.”
“I’ll come with you, if that’s all right.”
She didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
Kayla pushed the bedroom door open. Ana was sitting up in her crib, crying. Kayla went over to check her.
“Wet diaper,” she said. “An easy fix.”
Her heart pounded as she retrieved the changing pad and a fresh diaper from the bag. She couldn’t get over Zach telling her she was brave and fierce, not the cowardly liar she’d always thought she was. It was monumental to her. Bailey had said similar things to her, but Bailey was her sister. Bailey was supposed to see the best parts of her.
Nobody else had to.
“Let me help,” Zach said, taking the changing pad and placing it on the bed for her.
“Thank you.”
Kayla put Ana on the pad and changed her. Zach took the dirty diaper and left the room. She didn’t know where he was taking it but she finished with Ana and rocked her a bit before putting her in the crib again. When she turned around, Zach was in the doorway.
“Do you need anything?”
“No. Thank you for taking care of the diaper.”
“No problem. I took it outside and threw it in the trash.”
They looked at each other for a long moment. Kayla’s heart throbbed with emotion but she didn’t know what to say.
“I think I’m headed to bed,” Zach finally said. “I’ve got to be at work at six.”
Disappointment flared deep inside. She didn’t know what she’d expected him to say, but she hadn’t expected him to leave her just yet. “Okay. What time should I be ready to leave in the morning?”
“You don’t have to get up when I do. I’ll leave a key on the kitchen table. It’s yours.”
“Thank you, Zach. For everything.”
“You’re welcome, Kayla.”
“I had fun tonight.”
“So did I.”
“Goodnight,” she said quietly.
He shut the door and left her alone. It was a long time before she slept.
Chapter Ten
It was before eight when Kayla went into the kitchen to find coffee and a note from Zach on the counter.
I made coffee for you. Eat whatever you like. There’s cereal or bagels and cream cheese. The dairy is all good. I sniffed it. Here’s the key. Have a good day, beautiful. I’ll call you later. Z
Kayla laughed. He’d sniffed the dairy. Such a man thing to do. She went over and grabbed a bagel from the bag he’d left on the counter and popped it into the toaster. Ana was in her playpen in the living room where Kayla had turned on a morning show so she could listen to the news while she fixed breakfast. She poured a cup of coffee, then found a small pan, added water, and turned on the gas so she could make oatmeal for Ana.
Kayla felt pretty good, all things considered. She’d finally fallen asleep around midnight, and she’d slept better than she had in a few days now. Maybe being in Zach’s house let her relax enough to finally sleep without fear. The fear was still there, humming along at a low frequency now that she was awake and Zach was gone.
The bagel popped up and she grabbed the cream cheese from the fridge. There wasn’t much in the fridge, which told her that Zach ate out a lot, but he had a few staples like cream cheese and milk and cream for coffee. There was butter and cheese, and some apples too. A couple of eggs.
Kayla fixed the bagel and took a bite. The water wasn’t ready yet so she stood and waited while the television blared in the background and Ana chirped from time to time as she reacted to the show’s hosts or played with her toys.
A knock on the door made Kayla jerk. Coffee spilled over the side of the mug and dripped onto the counter. Kayla grabbed a paper towel to swish it up while telling herself to be calm. Just be calm. It could be anything.
It wasn’t very likely that the asshole who’d stalked her on the street in front of the salon would find her here instead of at Bailey’s place.
She went over to the front door and peered out the peephole, telling herself she didn’t have to answer it if she didn’t want to.
But it was Chloe. Relief flooded Kayla as she opened the door. “Hey, Chloe.”
Chloe squealed. “I knew that was your car! You and Zach finally figuring it out?”
Kayla blinked as she stood back to let Chloe in. The other woman was wearing a long skirt, glittery sandals, and a lacy top. She always looked so pretty and put together.
And happy. Kayla envied her that.
“Yes, I think we are,” she said.
“Hot damn. Ryan about had a cow this morning. He said it’s about darn time. I told him not to count his chickens yet.”
Kayla laughed. She loved that Chloe spoke country. It was almost like being back in Tennessee where she’d been born.
“Never count the chickens before they hatch. But we’ll see.”
“Oh my goodness, is that my little Ana-banana?” Chloe said as she spotted Ana in her playpen. Ana chortled with glee as Chloe went over and picked her up. Chloe turned to study Kayla. “You both spent the night. Wow.”
Kayla felt her face heating. “Nothing happened. I slept in Ryan’s old room.”
“Well, pooh. But baby steps, right?”
“Right.”
“Oh honey,” Chloe said, “I know you’ve been hung up on him for a while. I think he’s hung up on you too. I mean I never wanted to say anything, because it wasn’t my business, but the way you look at each other.” She shook her head and bounced Ana on her hip. “Sizzling, little princess. That’s what it was. Sizzling, and almost… mournful.”
“Mournful?” Kayla asked, surprised at the word choice. And
