Page 4 of Keeping Katie

Well, yeah. Thor, my vibrator, but I’m not going to tell them that. “No. Not at all. I guess I’ll have to join one of those dating sites or something. I’ve heard some pretty sketchy stories about them, though. I’ve never really had time for relationships. I’m not even sure how to go about finding a boyfriend.”

Cali and Chloe glance at each other, smirking.

“Sometimes, relationships just fall right into your lap. I guess when the right person comes along, it’ll just happen naturally,” Cali says, looking down at her hot pink fingernails.

I shrug. “I guess. I don’t know. I’ll figure it out when the time comes. First, I need to get my parents’ house sold and find more hours in the day.” Because seriously, I don’t have the time for a man. I barely have time to make a decent meal before I fall asleep for a few hours. And then I start all over the next morning.

“If you decide you want our help, we’d be happy to. But either way, let’s keep in touch more. As soon as things slow down for you, let’s do the girls’ night we’ve always talked about.” Chloe reaches out and grabs my hand, and a swell of emotion runs through me.

“I’d really love that. Thank you.” I pull her in for another hug, a brief one this time, before smiling at Cali. The woman doesn’t hesitate to grab me and throw her arms around me, catching me by surprise.

“It was so nice to meet you,” Cali squeals excitedly when she steps back. “Chloe has said the sweetest things about you.”

Gosh, I might be in tears by the time they leave. Are women always this supportive of each other? I don’t have a lot of experience with friendships, so I’m not really sure.

“I’ll text you in the next day or two, and we’ll plan something,” Chloe says as they make their way toward the exit.

The large, terrifying man gives me a stiff smile before he opens the door for them.

“Okay. Sounds great. I’m so glad you stopped by,” I tell them. They head toward a pristine, sleek black Escalade. “Nice meeting you, Cali!”

“Nice meeting you, too! Can’t wait to see you again soon. It’s going to be great. So great!” She waves enthusiastically, leaving me staring in confusion. What’s going to be great? Did I miss something?

They drive away, and just as I’m about to turn the lock on the door, Tom peers through the glass. I wave him in.

“Hi, Tom! I was about to dump the coffee carafes, so you made it just in time. I have some leftover pastries for you, too.”

They’re actually extras I make just for him, but I don’t tell him that. Tom has been coming to the shop for as long as I can remember. He’s homeless and pushes a cart around with all of his belongings in. Even though I’ve told him he can, he never comes in if there are customers. He doesn’t show up until just before closing when I’m about to dump the carafes.

“How’re you doing?” I round the counter and fill a cup for him.

“Cold today. Feels like it could snow.”

I frown and glance out the large windows surrounding the shop. We don’t get a ton of snow in Seattle, so when we do, it shuts the city down.

“You think it’s going to snow this late in the season?” I ask.

Somehow, Tom always calls the weather correctly. Maybe it’s because he lives out in the elements, so he feels it when things change. Whatever it is, I trust his forecast more than the weather people. But snow? I’m not so sure about that.

“Think so. Maybe a few inches,” he replies, running his hand over his scruffy beard.

I slide his coffee across the counter and sigh. “You need to go to a shelter if it gets that cold. Or you could take me up on my offer to sleep in the back office.”

He brings the cup to his lips and takes a long drink, ignoring my comment like he always does. “Thanks, Katie-girl. Stay safe, Little one. Lock this door behind me.”

Then he heads back outside, giving me one last wave before he disappears to wherever it is he goes. I’m not sure when or why my parents decided to start giving him free coffee. All I know is that my dad really respected Tom, and my mom doted on him every time she saw him. Whatever the reason, I’ll continue honoring that until he stops coming. As much as I hate to admit it, it makes my heart ache to know that one day he won’t be here anymore. I guess, in a way, he’s one of the few people I consider a friend. Maybe even family.

Although, after today, I think that might change. I might be in my mid-twenties, but I can hardly wait for a girls’ night.

3

GRADY

“Grady…”

Glancing up from my disassembled pistol, I raise an eyebrow at Chloe. She’s not usually one to seek me out. Especially in the armory.

“What’s up, Little one? You come down here to learn to shoot?”