Time of Day

by Nicole Pyland

  “Really?”

  “It’ll help her win.”

  “That’s messed up,” Kellan said.

  “I know. But it’s true,” Riley said. “If that’s the life she wants for herself, she can have it.”

  “And you can have James?” Morgan asked with a lifted eyebrow.

  “Morgan, Kinsley is part of the reason I figured all this out and had the guts to break up with my girlfriend of three years. Kinsley James is amazing, and I’m crazy about her, okay? Is that enough for you? Does that prove anything to you, or do I need to pass some sort of a test?” She stared at Morgan confidently. “I like her, Morgan.” She softened. “I don’t know how I never saw it before, but I like her. I like how she is with me, and I want to be that way with her. I can’t cook at all. Maybe I’ll be the one that does the dishes or something.” She laughed. “She’s adorable.” She smiled. “And she’s sexy as hell sometimes. Saturday night, for example: she was wearing that shirt and those tight jeans.”

  “Wow,” Reese said and laughed as she pointed at her. “You do like her.”

  “I wouldn’t have asked her out if I didn’t like her,” Riley replied and glanced at Morgan. “I understand why she thinks we should wait. I get it; I do. I’m good with waiting for her.”

  “She’s been waiting for you for a while, it seems.” Kellan leaned forward on the sofa.

  “She has,” Morgan agreed. “So, no more Elena? That’s over for good?”

  “Yes, Morgan.”

  “And you like her enough to wait for her?” Morgan asked.

  “Yes, Morgan.”

  “What if she finds someone else in the meantime?”

  “She’s found someone else?” Riley leaned forward and looked to Morgan for confirmation. “It’s been like a week.”

  Reese and Kellan both laughed. Morgan looked surprised at her near-outburst and then smiled at her.

  “I’ll let you know about that test thing later. I might come up with a few questions, but I think we’re good for now.” Morgan winked at her.

  Riley laughed and replied, “So, I’m okay for now?”

  “For now,” Morgan agreed.

  “When are you going to talk to James?” Reese asked.

  “I tried calling her twice. I also sent a few texts, but she’s not responding. I think I need to leave her alone for a while, unfortunately.”

  “Maybe that’s a good thing,” Kellan suggested. “You take some time to move on from Elena, and she takes some time to get ready for you,” she said with a smile.

  ◆◆◆

  “You’re on her side now?” Kinsley asked.

  “I’m on your side always, James. I know you know that,” Morgan replied. “This is stupid. There are no sides. I’m friends with Riley, too. I love you both.”

  “But you’re sitting there telling me I should have said yes to her,” Kinsley said.

  “That’s not what I said,” Morgan argued. “Look, I think you were right in saying no. I just talked to her this weekend, and I believed her when she said she and Elena were done.”

  Morgan stood up from the chair opposite Kinsley’s desk. She placed both hands on the back of the chair and stared down at Kinsley.

  “It takes time to get over something like that,” Kinsley suggested.

  “And you don’t want to be a rebound. I think that’s smart. I’m only suggesting that when you’re both ready, you finally give this a chance. You’ve wanted to date that girl since senior year, James. I remember how you looked at her the day you met her for the first time.”

  “Her freshman orientation,” Kinsley said wistfully and remembered at the same time.

  “See? I’m right. This is more than some crush. It always has been for you,” Morgan pointed out. “Just give it some time, but you should talk to her. Just be friends for now or something. I think it’s important you two keep talking,” she said. “Maybe if you do, things will move quicker. She already knows how great you are, but it can’t hurt to rub it in her face. It might make it easier for her to get over the ex when she’s constantly watching you be awesome.”

  “Did she ask you to come here?” Kinsley squinted at her. “Are these bagels from her?” She held up the white paper bag she’d come to associate with Riley Sanders. “And this coffee? Is this bribery coffee, Morgan Burns?”

  “She asked me to bring it by, yes. She said you’re terrible at eating while you’re working,” Morgan replied. “But that has nothing to do with me speaking slightly on her behalf.”

  “Slightly?”

  “Yes, slightly.” Morgan shrugged. “What? James, she likes you. It’s obvious.”

  “So, you think I’m crazy now?”

  “No, I told you. I think you were right to turn her down. I just think it’s cute that she came by the store and asked me to drop this stuff off, because you’re not returning her calls and she wants to respect your space.”

  “That is cute,” Kinsley replied with a shy smile.

  “Okay. I’m done. I have to get back to work. Do what you want about Riley. I’ll see you later?”

  “Yeah,” Kinsley replied.

  Morgan gave her a wave and headed out the front door of the office. It was then that Kinsley noticed Riley standing across the street looking into the window. Her eyes followed Morgan, who turned back toward her store. Then, she must have noticed Kinsley stand and head toward the front door, because she turned quickly and disappeared around the corner. Kinsley laughed at the display but couldn’t follow her. She had clients coming in to sign paperwork. It was a blessing in disguise, because she did want to follow her. She wanted to follow Riley around that corner, slam her up against the wall, and kiss her. It hurt her not to do that, but she knew that it would hurt her more if she did follow her. She couldn’t be led on by Riley. She couldn’t be someone Riley needed while she was trying to get over her girlfriend. She couldn’t just be her friend, either, but she guessed she’d have to try. Riley, it seemed, wasn’t great at giving her space. At least she was adorable while she tried.

  CHAPTER 14

  It had been two weeks since she’d tried dropping bagels and coffee off at Kinsley’s office, lost her nerve, and asked Morgan for her help instead. Kinsley still hadn’t spoken to her. Elena, though, had. She’d called more since the breakup than she did during the last six months of their relationship. Riley had to pick up the phone at some point. There were still things they’d needed to iron out. While they’d never had joint accounts or shared any property, they had planned a life together. They’d ordered custom made furniture for their future home in an impulsive move when they were riding high immediately after making the decision. The furniture was expensive, and now – unnecessary. Elena had used that as her first excuse to call. They’d decided to just take the loss and tell the designers to keep it and sell it to someone else.

  The second call had been because Elena had had a flight purchased for both of them to take a weekend away in New York. She’d also prepaid for the five-star hotel. It had been a surprise for Riley. The woman had planned it completely without her knowledge for the month after Elena had been slated to move. It was meant to be an exciting whisk away, complete with a Broadway show and couples massage. She hadn’t expected Riley to pay for it. Riley knew she was using the details of her plan to attempt to win her back. She’d even offered to let Riley keep the trip and take a friend. Riley had turned it down and suggested Elena still go and take a friend. The last time they’d talked, Elena had actually gotten Riley to laugh as she recounted an event from a fundraiser held that night in her honor. It was nice sharing a laugh like that. They hadn’t done it in so long.

  “Riley, I want to see you,” Elena said.

  “Elena, we’re not together anymore. You know that,” Riley replied as she grabbed a beer from her fridge and heard the microwave ding. “My dinner’s ready. I should go.”

  “You cooked?”

  “No, I–”

  “Did that realtor cook?” she asked. “I re
member you telling me how she liked to cook for you.”

  “I’m making a TV dinner, Elena.”

  “So, no realtor?”

  “Elena, you don’t get to ask that anymore. You’re not my girlfriend,” she pulled the meal out of the microwave and removed the thin plastic quickly, as to avoid burning herself. It didn’t work. “Damn it.”

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing. I have to go, Elena.”

  The doorbell rang. She turned at the unexpected sound and left the meal to deal with later. She sucked the tip of her index finger into her mouth to try to stop the pain, and then moved to open her door.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow,” Elena said. “Before I have that meeting with the senator and his wife.”

  “Kinsley?” Riley said with her finger still in her mouth when she opened the door to her apartment and found Kinsley James standing in the hallway.

  “Kinsley? The realtor?” Elena asked.

  “Elena, I’ve got to go.” She hung up the phone.

  “Elena?” Kinsley asked.

  “It’s not what it looks like,” Riley said and lowered her hand from her mouth.

  “Why is your hand in your mouth?” Kinsley asked while pointing at her.

  “I burned myself,” Riley answered and shrugged.

  “Cooking?”

  “Yes,” Riley replied and smiled.

  “Do you need help?” Kinsley asked, clearly trying not to laugh.

  “No, it’s just a TV dinner.” Riley lowered her head. “I gave up trying to cook something real after that night.”

  “I guess I should leave you to it,” Kinsley said.

  Riley’s head snapped up, and her eyes met Kinsley’s.

  “Why did you stop by?”

  “I was hoping to talk to you, but now’s not the right time.”

  “Because I burned my finger?” She held it up.

  “Because you were on the phone with Elena. But that doesn’t look good, Riles. You should take care of that.” Kinsley took Riley’s hand. Riley wished it was for another reason, but she loved the touch of Kinsley’s soft hands. “Run this under room temperature water. Do you have a first aid kit?”

  “I might,” Riley said. “I think Kellan left the one she bought in the bathroom.”

  “I’ll go get it. I’ll take care of this for you, and then I’ll go, okay?”

  “Kinsley, you don’t have to go. I was just–”

  “One second,” Kinsley replied as she made her way toward the bathroom.

  “Damn it, Elena.” Riley sat on the sofa. “You had to call tonight of all–”

  She heard a scream, jumped up from the sofa, and rushed into the bathroom, where she saw Kinsley standing completely still, holding the small first aid kit in one hand and staring at the floor.

  “There’s a spider,” she said.

  Riley lowered her gaze to see the world’s tiniest spider on the tile next to the bathtub. She glanced up at Kinsley’s terrified expression and burst out laughing.

  “That’s why you screamed?” Her laugh continued. “I think that’s a baby spider, Kinsley. It’s hardly even visible. How did you see it?”

  “It moved. I saw it when it moved. I don’t like spiders, Riley.” Kinsley still hadn’t moved a muscle.

  “Go out there, and I’ll take care of it,” Riley ordered.

  “If I move, it will move,” Kinsley replied.

  Riley gripped Kinsley’s hips from behind. She held onto them a little longer than necessary because of how good it felt. Kinsley’s t-shirt was soft and thin, which meant she could feel the skin beneath it. She took advantage of the moment and wrapped her arms around Kinsley’s waist. When Kinsley’s muscles tensed even further, she held onto her, rested her head on Kinsley’s shoulder, and breathed her in. God, this felt good.

  “I guess I’ll be the spider remover for us, huh?” she asked.

  Kinsley stood still a moment longer before she nodded, turned, and fled the bathroom. Riley picked up the spider in a Kleenex and tossed it into the toilet. She flushed it, feeling bad for killing the tiny thing. But she guessed Kinsley didn’t want to watch her carry it outside and release it into the wild. She didn’t have to worry about that, though, because by the time she got out of the bathroom, Kinsley was gone. The first aid kit was sitting on the table open and ready for Riley to use.

  ◆◆◆

  Kinsley needed to get away. She did this sometimes. She’d go hiking on her own or would take a long drive. Today, she’d decided to do both. She drove around to the north side of the lake, ending up at a trailhead. She hiked for over a mile, trying to use the sounds of nature to calm her heart and mind. She’d gone to Riley’s to talk to her. She probably should have called first. She hadn’t expected her to be on the phone with her ex. She also hadn’t expected Riley’s arms around her to feel so good. In that moment, she knew how hard it would be to get over her if it went wrong. Riley’s reference to being the spider killer in their relationship had also terrified her enough to run. She’d been running for the past two days. She’d avoided Riley’s attempts to contact her. She’d worked from home when she wasn’t doing a showing. She was being immature. But when Riley had held her like that, it felt too real. Unfortunately, it was while thinking about that feeling and wishing she could have it again that Kinsley missed the giant tree root in the middle of the path and tripped.

  Her ankle ached immediately. She tried to stand on it and found herself in excruciating pain. She cursed herself several times. Then, she cursed herself some more for thinking that hiking alone – on an unfamiliar trail about forty minutes away from her friends, who could come and pick her up – was a good idea. She had no first aid supplies in her small day pack. She had no choice. She hobbled back down the trail, thankful at least, when she got to her car, that it was her left ankle, which meant she could drive. She knew it wasn’t broken, but it was at least a sprain. She also had a pretty nasty cut on her knee that would need to be cleaned up. Her relaxing day had turned into a train wreck. She found the nearest urgent care on her phone and drove the three miles there, parked the car, and walked inside.

  “Can I help you?” the receptionist asked.

  “I tripped on a trail. I think I sprained my ankle,” Kinsley explained.

  “Just fill this out, and we’ll be right with you,” the receptionist replied and passed her a clipboard with the requisite paperwork.

  After she completed it and sat for an additional ten minutes in the waiting room, a woman emerged from the back with a clipboard of her own. She was wearing blue scrubs with the standard white coat. She had long blonde hair, parted in the middle with two long braids lying against her shoulders. Her eyes were brown, and her smile was welcoming.

  “Kinsley James?”

  “That’s me.” Kinsley raised her hand unnecessarily.

  “Can you walk on it?” the woman asked.

  “I’m okay, yeah.”

  Kinsley made her way into the exam room, where she slid onto the table and waited for the woman who hadn’t yet introduced herself.

  “I’m Dr. Ash.” The woman held out her hand for Kinsley to take. Kinsley shook it. “I understand you tripped while hiking.”

  “I did. I wasn’t paying attention,” Kinsley admitted.

  Dr. Ash smiled at her and replied, “It happens to the best of us. I took a fall a few years ago. I ended up with a dislocated shoulder and a bruised ego.”

  Kinsley laughed and said, “My ego definitely took a hit today, too.”

  “Well, let’s get you checked out.”

  Dr. Ash examined her ankle gingerly before sending her for an x-ray. While they waited for the films, she cleaned the cut on her leg and bandaged it up. She took care of Kinsley silently and carefully before she left to review the x-rays. When she returned, she had a bandage in hand and sat on the rolling stool.

  “Give it to me straight, doc,” Kinsley said.

  “You have a mild sprain. I’m going to wrap it up, and you s
hould stay off it for a few days if you can. Ice every four to six hours, take some ibuprofen, and you should be fine,” the woman replied.

  “Great. I’m a real estate agent. It’s kind of hard to stay off my feet when I’m doing showings,” she said as Dr. Ash began wrapping her ankle.

  “I can give you crutches here.”

  “Crutches? Really?”

  “It’s better than you overextending yourself while you’re healing.”

  “Fine. I guess I’ll take one set of crutches along with the pain and humiliation. I can’t wait to tell Morgan about how I managed to go out of my way to injure myself. Literally, I went out of my way.”

  The doctor laughed and replied, “What do you mean?”

  “I live in South Lake. I drove up here to go hiking, and here I am.”

  “And Morgan is your… girlfriend?” she asked.

  “Oh, no. Morgan is my best friend. I don’t have a girlfriend,” she said quickly.

  “And you’re from South Lake?”

  “Not originally, but I’ve lived there since college,” Kinsley answered the soft smile this doctor continued to give her as she bandaged her up. “You?”

  “Here. I’m a native,” she replied with a small laugh. “I left for medical school but came back. I volunteer here two days a week, but I have my own practice.”

  “How old are you? You have your own practice?”

  “I’m thirty-six. And yes, I do,” she said. “I’m very lucky.”

  “And successful,” Kinsley added.

  Dr. Ash looked up at her and said, “I’m doing okay. And you’re all done.” She lowered Kinsley’s ankle. “I’ll get you those crutches and some ibuprofen to help with the inflammation.”

  “Thank you,” Kinsley replied.

  “Who drove you here?”

  “No one. I drove out of my way, remember?” Kinsley laughed at her own mistake.

  “Right,” the woman replied. “Well, you’re lucky it’s your left ankle, but I still don’t like you driving.”

  “I don’t really have much of a choice. I can call my friends and try to see if someone can pick me up, but it’s not my right leg. I should be okay.”