Heart-Shaped Hack(38)
But Kate wondered what kind of work required flying to DC with such little notice? And when would he return?
She spent the evening watching a movie. Finally at eleven she turned off the TV, locked up, and got ready for bed. In the bathroom she took off her makeup and brushed her teeth. On the nights Ian stayed over, they would shower together in the morning, and then he’d go home when it was time for her to head to the food pantry. He’d recently left a few duplicate items at Kate’s so he wouldn’t have to bring them every time, and though she’d tried to play it cool, she liked seeing another toothbrush in the holder next to hers and his shampoo in the shower.
After changing into her pajamas, she reached for a book but set it back down on the nightstand five minutes later and turned out the lamp. She’d skimmed the same page three times before deciding she wasn’t in the mood to read. She tossed and turned, and it took her a while to get comfortable because her bed felt too big without Ian in it.
A few days ago, she’d had a breakfast meeting with her board of directors. Ian had been lounging on her couch, working on his laptop and drinking coffee, when it was time for her to go.
“Here,” she’d said, handing him her spare key. “I have to go in early today. Lock up when you leave.”
The last time she’d encountered these dating milestones had been with Stuart, and she’d forgotten how awkward they could be. She’d been pleased when Ian hadn’t dropped the key like it was on fire or leaped from the couch to go with her so she could lock up as usual.
Instead, he’d closed his fingers around it, kissed her, and said, “Sure, Katie Brown Eyes. Have a good day.”
She’d smiled all the way to work.
If Ian got back late and decided to come to her place instead of his, he’d be able to let himself in. He’d kiss her awake and snuggle in behind her, explaining what he’d been doing in Washington.
But that’s not what happened. What happened was that Kate woke up Saturday morning alone.
By eleven she’d cleaned the apartment and done her laundry. At noon, when the walls started to close in, she decided to have lunch at Brasa Rotisserie, which was a fifteen-minute walk. The cold didn’t bother her and neither did the snow falling from the sky in giant flakes. But walking made her think of Ian, especially the way he always pulled off her glove and shoved it in his pocket so he could hold her hand.
When she reached Brasa Rotisserie, she ordered a curried chicken bowl and took her time eating it. Her phone chimed, but the sound hadn’t come from the special phone he’d given her. Carrying two phones was a bit of a hassle, but keeping them both meant she hadn’t needed to let everyone know she had a new number. After pulling out the correct phone, she glanced at the text display.
Paige: We’re heading to Kieran’s tonight for a few drinks. Bring your man!
Kate: Ian’s out of town, but I’ll meet you for a drink or two.
Paige: Great! 7:00?
Kate: Sure. See you then. : )
When she was done eating, she left the restaurant and walked for another half hour, her boots making crunching sounds in the snow. Eventually she made her way home. Because she hadn’t slept the greatest the night before, she attempted to take a nap on the couch. But sleep wouldn’t come, and she eventually gave up.
It felt odd not to be in contact with Ian after spending so much time with him. Even when they weren’t together, they kept up a steady conversation via text, and his messages never failed to brighten her day. Lately she’d sensed a deepening of his feelings, had noticed the adoring look on his face when he showed up at her door and the way his gaze lingered when she walked into the room. She pulled out her phone.
Kate: I know you’re busy so no need to write back. I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you and I miss you. xoxo
Meeting her friends was exactly the distraction Kate needed, and when she arrived at Kieran’s that night, she was glad she’d ventured out. The Irish pub was decorated for the holidays, and the Christmas lights, the music, and the gently falling snow visible from her seat near the window put Kate in a festive mood.
She returned home a little before ten. Shivering, she pulled on the flannel snowflake pajamas Ian had given her. She wrapped herself in a blanket and sat down in the comfy, oversized chair near the window, looking down at the empty street below as the snow continued to fall.
At first she thought it was a dream. She heard a scraping noise, but in her half-asleep state, she was unable to process what was making the sound. She’d fallen asleep in the chair, and as she awakened further, she realized someone was trying to put a key in the lock. A quick glance at her phone showed the time as 5:53 a.m. Approximately forty-eight hours after he’d kissed her good-bye, it seemed that Ian was back. Kate sprang from the chair.
He’d managed to get the door open, and she flinched when she saw his condition. His hair looked as if he hadn’t run anything but his fingers through it since he’d left, and his skin was pale, bordering on gray. The whites of his eyes were streaked with clusters of red. How long had he been staring at a computer screen? Had he slept at all? He wasn’t wearing a coat, and his shirt was untucked and wrinkled.
He reached for her, his expression weary and unfocused. “I’m sorry I didn’t text back.”
“It’s okay,” she said, gently taking the key ring from his freezing hand and easing the laptop-bag strap from his shoulder and setting it down on her kitchen table. Hoping he hadn’t driven, she led him by the hand into the bedroom.