Chapter 41
Keyana grabbed another tissue and wiped at her nose. Focusing on work today wasn't going too well. She felt miserable after last night, she kept tossing and turning, seeing Shane's face in her mind. The guilt was like nothing she'd ever felt before, she didn't think she could ever be happy again. There was a knock on the door and slowly she got up and made her way over.
"Keyana Johnson?"
"Yes, this is she."
"I have a delivery for you." The man came forward and Keyana swung the door open, he came in with a long box and placed it on her desk. "Sign here please."
Looking worriedly at the box, she signed her name and thanked the man before he left. She turned to the box, uniting the red bow she lifted the lid and smiled. Inside were half a dozen red roses. She sniffled and grabbed the card out, reading it.
For long nights
Soft touches
Warm kisses
And longing
Love, Nick
She wiped at her eyes, lowering her head. He made her smile, something she hadn't been able to do all day. She buried her face in her hands, and suddenly felt two strong hands rest on her shoulders, starting to massaging gently. She brought her head up, closing her her eyes tightly. She'd know that touch anywhere and she needed it right now, she needed it so badly. Turning silently, she held him tightly, the tears flowing.
Nick looked down at her puzzled, slowly wrapping his arms around her. What'd happened? "Keyana? Babygirl what's wrong?"
She held him tighter, her small body shuddering from her sobs. He lead them over to a chair and sat, her on his lap. Gently he pushed her back. "Honey, what happened?"
"I-I'm sorry. Had a rough night." She whispered.
"Wanna talk about it?"
"N-not here."
"Ok, then why don't you come by tonight. I'll be home all evening."
"I don't think that's such a good idea Nick. Not now."
"You're obviously upset over something, I'd like to be there for you. That's what friends are for right?"
Friends, they were friends right? Why did that statement make her feel so empty? She wiped at her eyes with her hands and finally brought her gaze up to his. He looked at her with pure concern in his eyes. If he only knew of the battle raging inside her, the battle to try to not feel what she was feeling for him. She didn't know how to describe the feeling, all she knew was that it scared her.
"Yeah, that's what friends are for."
"So you gonna come by then?"
She looked down at her hands, there was nothing stopping her now. Besides they were just friends. "Yeah, I'll come by after work. I'll just stop home quickly and get changed, besides, I wanted to talk to you about...the other night." She whispered.
"Yeah, me too." He looked at her, watching her reaction, he got none. "Cool, then it's all set. You can relax and tell me why you're upset, and then we'll talk about everything else. Sound good?"
She nodded.
"Alright." He stood, picking her up and then setting her down on her feet. "No more tears now." He smiled, wiping at her cheeks.
She smiled shakily and stared at him. "Thank you."
"No Keyana, thank you. I'll see you this evening." He gently kissed her cheek and walked out the door.
Taking calming breaths, she tried to regulate her breathing. Turning she headed back over to her desk and tried to concentrate. She'd tell him what'd happened and see where it lead them, she didn't want to admit what she wanted to have happen. It was too soon. Sighing heavily she turned to her computer and started typing.
