Desire (Desire, Book 1) - By Missy Johnson Page 0,49

struggled to stay asleep when I eventually did get to sleep.

I ran over my conversation with Neri in my mind. Hearing her say she wasn’t angry with me was a huge thing. A thing that left me feeling even guiltier than before about not being around for them the last few years. If I’d just swallowed my pride and gone to see them, maybe I wouldn’t have missed out on so much of their lives.

“Kaitlin?” I knew that voice. My stomach filled with anxiety. I looked up, right in time to see Charlie join me at my table. “Do you mind?” He asked, already sitting. I shrugged, his presence intimidating me even more so since our night together.

Every time I thought about us, together, I cringed. The worst thing was, on some level I’d enjoyed the feeling I’d felt when I was with him. That scared me.

“Hi,” I forced a smile, not quite meeting his eyes, “Fancy running into you here.”

His raised eyebrows suggested the opposite, as did the knowing look in his eyes. I couldn’t shake the crazy feeling that he’d followed me here. I chastised myself for being paranoid. Maybe I really was going crazy.

“Yes, well, I suppose you’d get that, being at the same college and all.” He nodded, chuckling. I smiled faintly.

“Are you working tonight?” He raised his eyebrows again, just in case I didn’t get his meaning from his tone. I got it.

I nodded, “I am.” A smile slowly spread across his face.

“Well, I might see you later. I guess I had better get home.” He said, standing up.

To your wife, I wanted to say. Instead, I smiled.

I had no doubt I’d see him later, and I couldn’t deny the rush I felt run through my body.

Fuck Devon. I didn’t need him.

“And then they brought out a snake!” Sam howled with laughter as he showed me how some of the girls in his class had reacted to the snake by jumping on the coffee table and shrieking. I grinned. It sounded like animal day had been a success at kinder.

“Sound like you had a blast, Sambo.” I ruffled his hair as he continued on with his story.

“Kait?” I turned to see Neri standing in the doorway. I gasped. She looked stunning. Dressed in tight dark jeans, black knee high boots, and a purple top, she looked older than her fifteen years. Her blonde hair, as it hung straight down her back, looked striking against the purple

“Do I look okay?” She asked, her eyes filled with uncertainty. She had no idea how truly beautiful she was.

“You look beautiful, Neri. Stunning.” Neri blushed, a smile creeping across her face. “What time is he picking you up?” I asked, glancing at my watch.

“Nine,” She came over and hugged me, “Thanks for this, Kait.”

“For what?” As far as I knew, I hadn’t done anything.

“For trusting me enough to go out with Jeremy.”

Oh. That.

That had been a hard thing to act cool about. I remember how I’d been at fifteen, and more to the point, I remember how boys had been at sixteen. However, I also knew that Neri was an extremely smart girl who had very high aspirations, who wouldn’t do anything stupid enough to jeopardize those plans.

“I trust you because you are mature enough to understand what you want.” I replied earnestly. Neri smiled. Her nerves became more apparent as the doorbell rang.

“Do you want to meet him?” She asked, shyly.

Hell yes I did.

She wasn’t going anywhere until I met him. I nodded a simple yes.

Neri sprinted to the door, Sam and I at her heels. Even Ara was poking her head around the corner to catch a glimpse of Jeremy.

“Neri, you look hot.” Jeremy breathed. Neri certainly had good taste. If I’d been five years younger this young man would have me in a puddle on the floor too.

It took Jeremy a moment to notice that more than just Neri stood at the door. His demeanor changed to guarded. He eyed me, unsure of what to make of me.

“Jeremy, this is my sister, Kait. And you know Sam.” Jeremy put his hand out. I took it and smiled at him.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Jeremy.” I smiled, he visibly relaxed at my friendliness.

“All good, I hope.” He made a face, “Nice to meet you, Kait. I’ve heard a lot about you too. Neri speaks about you all the time.”

She does? I Glanced at Neri. Her eyes were firmly on Jeremy. It was like we weren’t even