She didn’t know what to say. She decided she’d let him have this one. “I’m glad I stumbled into your life when I did then. And don’t forget—you literally saved my life the first night we met.”
“Oh, yeah, college girl,” he growled in imitation of how he’d spoken to her the first couple of times they’d met.
Yawning, Kaylee rolled over and tucked the phone between her ear and the pillow.
“You sound exhausted. Try to go to sleep while I talk.” Blayne’s smooth voice calmed her like the slap of ocean waves against the shore. “I’ve been looking around for a place to rent. I almost gave up, I need to stay downtown and the rent there is outrageous. But a guy I work with has been combing the internet for me and he found a couple of places within my price range. Mostly just single rooms for rent or small—very small—studio apartments. But, you know, beggars can’t be choosers.” He laughed.
“Mmm hmm.” Kaylee’s eyes grew heavy, and she closed them. The adrenaline had finally worked its way out of her system.
“I’m going to go look at a couple tomorrow. I should have enough cash for a deposit and first month’s rent with tomorrow’s paycheck.”
Kaylee drifted off to sleep with the sound of his voice in her ear.
She fumbled to find her phone in the mess of pillows as the alarm sounded at 4:30 a.m. Groaning, she punched the screen with her thumb to shut the blasted thing off. She sat up abruptly, a pain shooting through her shoulder, and opened her eyes wider. Putting the phone to her ear, she whispered, “Blayne?”
“Still here,” he answered. He sounded wide awake.
“Did you get any sleep at all?”
“No. I wanted to be here in case you woke up.”
Kaylee’s heart stuttered, and she whispered, “Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for you, Kaylee.” And she knew he meant it.
Kaylee watched from the airport window as the sky lightened with the rising sun. Her thoughts had run wild on the ride there, dark thoughts of what could have happened in the alley last night, to tender thoughts of Blayne. Now her mind was firmly settled on Blayne. He’d stayed on the phone all night. And he’d stayed awake just in case she woke up. Oh no! Had she snored? Did he hear her snore? Or worse, fart in her sleep? A rush of heat blossomed up her neck and face and she lowered her head so the other airport patrons wouldn’t see the embarrassed blush.
But he’d stayed on the phone all night. Her throat tightened, and she pressed a hand to her chest. He’d stayed awake in case she needed him. His voice—just the sound of his voice—had calmed her terror.
She texted him when she got seated on the plane, even though he should still be sleeping. On the plane. Thank you for last night. It meant so much to me. See you tonight.
The phone buzzed in her hand before she had a chance to switch it to airplane mode.
Blayne: You’re welcome have a safe flight
It would be a long day, with a four-hour layover in Chicago, she wouldn’t be home until early evening. Kaylee smiled as she tucked her phone away in her pocket. She started to watch a movie on the seat-screen in front of her, but fell asleep shortly after the plane took off.
The landing was a little rough; Kaylee gripped the armrests and squeezed her eyes shut. She texted Allie with slightly shaking hands: Just landed. I hope you remembered to come pick me up.
Her heart rate had slowed to normal by the time the huge airplane pulled up to the gate, but she bit her lip in worry that Allie hadn’t texted her back yet. Kaylee grabbed her purse and carry-on and stood in the aisle, waiting for the line to move. Her phone buzzed as she disembarked and she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was from Allie. Of course I remembered! I just pulled in, let me know when you get to the pick-up area.
Okay, Kaylee sent back.
She rushed to the train that would take her to the pick-up area, thoughts of seeing Blayne later causing a warmth to erupt in her chest, and what she was sure was a cheesy smile to spread across her face.
Going with the flow of the pushing and shoving passengers leaving the train, Kaylee fumbled with her phone to text Allie. She pushed send on her message, pocketed her phone, zipped up her coat, and headed for the exit to meet her friend—glad to be back in Denver.
The fading sunlight made the chill air feel even colder as it touched the bare skin of her face. She wished she’d pulled her scarf out of her suitcase before stepping outside. She looked up and down the row of vehicles waiting to pick people up and relaxed her shoulders when she spotted Allie standing next to her car, waving both hands above her head.
Hurrying to reach the warmth of the car while smiling and waving at Allie, Kaylee didn’t see the man who stepped in front of her until she smashed into him and dropped the handle of her rolling suitcase.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” She took a step back and her foot landed on the handle. She stumbled, letting out a little yelp as she fell toward the curb. A strong hand grabbed her arm and hauled her up, steadying her as she regained her balance. She looked up, preparing to spit an embarrassed thank you at the stranger before scurrying to the safety of Allie’s car. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized the “stranger” was a smirking, breathtakingly handsome man. “Blayne! What are…”
With a deep chuckle he embraced her, cutting off her question. She stiffened at first, still confused at seeing him there,
