Free Rainwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story by Krista Lakes Page B

Michael, because he was always putting me down. I was so much better than
what Michael told me I was. Looking back, I was shocked that I had let the
relationship go on as long as I did.
    "Kay, I don't understand. You
know things are bad for me right now," he said quietly. His shoulders
slumped and he looked so dejected and broken that I almost apologized. No. I stood up straighter. I'm better than this. I deserve someone who wants to
take care of me. Someone like Owen. Just because I felt bad for Michael and
his situations didn't mean I had to fix them. Lord knew I had tried enough
times, and yet he was still having the same exact problems. They weren't
problems I could fix.
    "Michael, things are always bad for you. You've got to fix it yourself this time. I have patients to see.
Goodbye, Michael. Please don't come back. Ever." I turned quickly and
headed back toward the ER. I knew if I turned around and saw his face, I might
change my mind. He knew exactly how to look at me to make me cave, and I didn't
want to see it. I hurried quickly through the ER doors and back into the safety
of the nurse's station.
    "You okay?" Allie asked
as I leaned against one of the walls. "You look a little pale."
    "I just told Michael that I'm
tired of taking care of him and that I don't want to see him again," I
said weakly. I pressed the palms of my hands against my eyes, shocked that I
had actually said those things out loud to him. Allie snorted.
    "About time."
    I dropped my hands and looked at
her. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her blonde ponytail falling
over her shoulder. "What do you mean?"
    "Kaylee, you are too nice
sometimes. Especially to Michael. He's no good for you. Since the two of you
broke up, you've been happier than I've seen you in a long time. And now, you
said no to those puppy-dog eyes of his? I don't know what they put in the water
in the Caribbean, but if it finally made you get rid of Michael for good, I
hope you brought home buckets of it."
    It wasn't exactly the water ,
I thought to myself.
    "Thanks Allie." I took a
deep breath and smiled. She was right. It was like I had taken a weight off my
shoulders that I had never even known I was carrying.
    "Don't mention it. Now, since
you're back and in the mood to tell people off, Dr. James is on hold for your
patient in Room Three." She winked and headed back out toward one of the
blinking call-lights. 
    I sighed and tried to summon up
some more of the same fire I had a moment ago. Instead, the only thing I could
summon up was the image of Owen smiling.

Chapter 11
    I rolled over in bed, listening to
the hum of the heater. It was too cold to want to wake up. I smiled as I pulled
the covers back up over my head. Since it was my day off, I didn't have to get
up at all! Winter was giving its last parting shots at spring, and these would
be the last few cold days before warmer weather hung around for good. I
snuggled deeper into my blankets, replaying my last phone conversation with
Owen.
    ***
    "A re you free Friday?"
Owen's voice crackled a little over the long distance connection. I knew he
couldn't see me through the phone, but I nodded anyway.
    "It's my day off. Why? You
want to do something?" I hoped I didn't sound too eager.
    "I was thinking I would
take you out on a real date. Not just Chinese food in the back of a limo."
I could hear the smile in his voice as he remembered exactly what we did in the
back of that limo.
    "I don't know, I kind of
liked Chinese food in the back of the limo." I stopped myself as I started
twirling my hair between my fingers. I couldn't help the giddy happiness that
bubbled up inside of me at the thought of seeing him again.
    "Don't plan anything on
Friday, then. I'm taking you out. I want to spoil you."
    ***
    T he idea that I would see him
tonight, that it would be for a real date night, brought a smile to my face. I
was planning on taking a hot shower to shave my legs and everything. Maybe
I'll even go shopping for a new dress