Compass by Deborah Bladon

Author:Deborah Bladon [Bladon, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deborah Bladon
Published: 2019-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30

Gage

I step into her apartment, and I’m instantly blown away by how it reflects Katie’s taste.

The walls are painted white. It’s a blank canvas for everything else in the space.

A large white sectional sits in the middle of the living room. It’s crowded with pink and light blue pillows. A dark blue blanket is folded neatly over one arm.

The coffee table is square and painted gray.

A small dining table sits in the corner, covered by a bright blue tablecloth.

I scan the walls to find pictures of Katie’s family. I spot her parents in one. They’re standing in Times Square, smiling at the camera. I have no doubt that Katie was behind the lens.

Eldred is in another picture with his wife. At one time, I considered Katie’s brother my friend but that bond was broken when I left his sister.

I spot a square silver frame containing a photograph of a baby.

“That’s Arleth.” Katie drops her keys and purse on the coffee table. “She’s my friend’s baby.”

“Olivia’s baby,” I say quietly.

“Olivia and Alexander’s baby,” she corrects me. “Before you ask, that’s my friend Tilly and her husband. He’s a policeman.”

I gaze at the frame next to the photo of Arleth. It’s an image of a tall dark-haired man and a pretty brunette woman. The background is this room and the window that overlooks the tree-lined street below.

Katie has built a life here. She’s put down roots and started a business.

“I can make coffee,” she says, starting toward a small kitchen. “No cream or sugar for you, right?”

A wave of nostalgia hits me.

“You remember?”

The emotion in my voice turns her back around to look at me. “I remember, but you had it like that at Palla on Fifth.”

I move to take a seat on the sofa. I had no idea how fucking surreal it would be to see her apartment.

I stare down at the red tulips in a vase on the table.

Katie loved fresh flowers when we were together. I’d buy them once a month and she’d care for them as if they were the most important things in the world. She’d keep them until the petals were dropping and the water was murky.

The sound of movement in the kitchen stops. Quick taps of her heels against the hardwood floor follows.

“Here’s some pizza.” She shoves a plate at me. “It’s too much for just me.”

I look down at the two slices of pepperoni pizza. It’s a small offering, but I take it with a shaky hand. “Thank you, Katie.”

She settles onto the sofa next to me, balancing a plate with one slice on her thighs. “The coffee is brewing. One cup and you’ll go home, right?”

I want to stay. I want to fucking stay and put my head in her lap while she reads poetry to me and then I want to make love to her.

“One cup and I’ll take off,” I answer with a smile.

“Eat.” She points at the plate in my hand. “I heated yours in the microwave. I know how much you hate cold pizza.

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