Free Resilient (2) by Nikki Mathis Thompson

their finale rounds and hugged the lady of the hour, congratulating her again on her beautiful work. When they got back to the car, the fatigue set into her body. It had been a long week. When they pulled up to her place, Hayden opened the door for her once again and helped her out of the car. They walked up to her door and she just felt tired. The kiss she had been looking forward to could be right around the corner, only she wasn’t feeling it now, she just wanted to get into her bed. Hayden looked down at her.
    “I had a great time tonight, thank you for coming.”
    “I had fun, too. Hayden, I…”
    “I know, Katrine. It’s okay, I like being with you. You’re funny and smart, and of course hot as hell.” He smiled. “But I get it. It won’t be weird or anything. I enjoy your company. Could we still hang out every once in a while?”
    “I’d like that.” She kissed him on the cheek, letting her mouth linger for just a moment. She opened her door and before she went in, she said, “And Hayden just for the record you’re pretty hot yourself.” He gave her a huge smile, nodded, and said his final goodnight.
    At last she was in her bed, luxuriating in her soft sheets. It was only 10:30, but she was fried. Her phone rang and she groaned, but answered anyway when she saw who it was.
    “Hey, you stalking me now?”
    “Can’t a friend make sure you got home safely? That classmate could be a serial killer for all you know.”
    “Ian, he’s not a serial killer. He’s a very nice young man and we had a nice time.”
    “Nice time, I like you as a friend… or nice time, put your tongue down my throat?”
    “That is none of your business.”
    “That’s evasion and I will not be deterred.”
    “What are you doing, anyway? Shouldn’t you have your tongue down your girlfriend’s throat, instead of worrying about mine?”
    Gag!
    “I was just making sure you got home, no need to get hyper.”
    “I am not getting hyper!”
    “Okay, okay. Calm down. For your information, Amber is out of town this weekend. I’m all by my lonesome and thought we could hang out tonight. Little did I know you had a hot date.”
    He sounded jealous and she loved it.
    “So, I’ve been downgraded to back-up plan, huh?”
    Pot, kettle on line one…
    “ You know that’s not true. Can we hang out tomorrow? I haven’t spent time with you in weeks. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the low sixties, a perfect day for a cruise in the jeep.”
    “Teddy’s at his dad’s tomorrow, so that sounds really nice—you’re on.”
    She fell asleep that night with butterflies in her stomach and a smile on her face. But she’d   worry about that later…

    The forecast was correct. The weather was sunny and mild. She was eager to enjoy it because they were calling for snow the next week. That was Texas weather for you. That’s why they had the saying, “If you don’t like the weather, stick around. It’ll change tomorrow.”
      Katrine put on a pair of worn jeans and a black scoop neck with long sleeves. She put on a little makeup and put her hair in a bun. It was nice, not having to impress him, but as she wiped her sweaty palms against her jeans, it hit her. She was nervous.
      It’s official, I’m screwed.

    As promised, he had taken the top off and she couldn’t keep the smile from her face. She just loved cruising around in his jeep. They hopped in and Ian turned the key.
    “Maybe you should grab a jacket. I don’t want you to get cold.”
    “I think I’ll be okay. I have long sleeves,” Katrine said, pulling the fabric to prove it.
    “Okay, but I’ll put on the heater just on case.”  
    “Well, thank you.” She grinned at him. He was always taking care of her. He was just one of those thoughtful kind of people.  
    “Will you play that group I like so much?” Katrine asked.
    “Which one?”
    “I can’t ever remember the name, but it’s that group I love. The one you always play when we have the top