Free Body and Soul (Body and Soul Trilogy) by Jamie Loeak

so warm in the house that she felt as though it would catch fire. No. The flat stovetop at Adriana’s, the way it changed into an orange circle as it heated up, sparked the dream. Not likely. Kate’s heart would burst into flames if she fell for Rico. Utterly ridiculous.
    Kate stepped out of the shower, no happier than before she got in. She wrapped her towel around her body and stepped out into her warm bedroom.
    “Don’t undress,” Rico said quickly, scaring Kate. She stepped back, bumping into the wall , and grabbed her heart, afraid it would burst.
    “Don’t you ever do that again,” she said, glaring at Rico as she rifled through her drawers, snatching up the clothes that she needed to put on immediately. She rushed into the bathroom, her hands full, and locked the door. She emerged a couple moments later, her damp curls already soaking her tank top.
    “I apologize for scaring you,” Rico said.
    “How did you get in here? Are my parents gone already?” Kate spat, still upset.
    “Your parents are gone. I came through the front door. It’s not smart to stick a key on top of the door frame, you know. By the time I got up here you were already in the bathroom so I let you shower in peace.”
    “How sweet of you,” Kate retorted.
    Rico ignored her comment and looked at the pile of blankets and sheets in the hamper. He looked at her, clearly curious.
    “I didn’t wet the bed if that’s what you think.”
    “That wasn’t my first thought. I assumed you had a bad dream. However, if you do still wet the bed I’ll try my hardest not to tell Adriana. I don’t know if she would ever stop l aughing at you.”
    Kate stuck her tongue out at Rico in response.
    “Well?” he demanded. “Was it a bad dream or what?”
    “Yes,” Kate said. “It was weird,” she added, turning to look at Rico when she spoke. “I was walking through a forest, searching for something that I wanted to find. When I found it, it turned out to be something I would never want. It was awful.” Kate sat down on the edge of her bed, lost somewhere in her mind, reliving the worst part of the nightmare.
    “What did you see, Kate?” Rico asked, pressing.
    Kate stared out at the ocean without even seeing it and shook her head. “I can’t say,” she said. “It was terrible and I won’t tell you.”
    Rico pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed. Kate instantly pushed up her defenses, ready for the argument that would come next.
    “You need to tell me, Kate. It’s important. I wouldn’t ask you to tell me if it wasn’t important.”
    “I’m sorry, Rico. I won’t tell you. I’m not ready to face it myself. Why would I tell you if I can’t even decipher the meaning on my own?”
    Rico glared at her, infuriated by Kate’s persistence. He opened his mouth to persuade her further but she held up her hand, stopping him.
    “Don’t try to convince me right now, Rico. I don’t feel like fighting with you this morning. I’m tired and hungry. Please, don’t start an argument with me.”
    Rico sighed silently, purposefully not giving Kate the satisfaction one gets from winning a single battle. He didn’t want her to think that she won, because she would end up telling him eventually; if not, he would find out, one way or another.
    Instead of leaving in a fit of rage, Rico stood up and held his hand out to pull Kate up as well. As soon as she was standing, Rico pulled his hand away and moved toward the door so that she would follow him. Rico led Kate to the kitchen where he rummaged through the refrigerator and cabinets, searching for the things he needed. He turned to Kate, taking his index finger and spinning it around, making a motion to tell Kate not to look at what he was doing.
    Kate was perplexed by these actions. One minute Rico was angry at her for not telling her the end of her nightmare. The next minute he was gathering ingredients for a meal, and telling her to leave so that it would be a surprise. Their awkward