That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

morning, yet Kurt is glancing every direction. It’s almost as if his head’s going to spin off with the speed, he keeps turning it.

As he places his hand on my back and guides me inside, I guess we aren’t sitting out in the fresh air today.

“Hi, guys, back again. Great morning today.” The waitress is way too happy for both of our current moods.

I can’t be rude, and neither can Kurt. It’s just not who we are.

“Yes, I think it’ll warm up, though.” I give her a smile to keep the conversation rolling.

“You could be right. Now, I’m sure you know the menu by now, do you already know what you want?”

Kurt looks at me so as not to interrupt, but I’m still deciding because nothing really appeals. I nod at him to order first.

“I’ll have the King’s Feast with the extra toast, with a strong black coffee, please. Have you decided yet, Asha?” His use of my name has me looking up into his eyes. Why in god’s name does he look at me like that? It pierces my soul every time.

“I think I’ll just have the blueberry granola and a coffee, thanks.” Handing the waitress the menu, I look out the window to avoid Kurt’s eyes again.

“Sounds perfect, I’ll have it out shortly.” She moves on to the next table where a family with a couple of kids look like they are living their best life. Pancakes all round with lots of syrup, and I’m sure the little boy is wearing more of his maple syrup than is making it into his mouth.

“Not hungry this morning, baby?” Kurt reaches across the table and wraps his hand over the top of mine. Shivers run up my arm the same way they always do. There’s no way this can’t be real.

Inside my head I keep repeating to myself, He loves me, I know he loves me. It has to be true. No matter what, I promised I’d trust him, even when things look bad. He made me promise.

The same as in the car, the silence stretches a little longer than it normally would, and then I remember he asked me a question.

“Not really. Cereal will be plenty for me this morning. As long as the coffee is strong.”

His hand squeezes mine and with a smile he replies, “Must have been all those cakes we ate last night.”

“You’re probably right.” Again, the conversation dies a little.

The reasons I love this café are working in my favor this morning. The tables are close together with some larger than others. No tablecloths and nothing fancy. But it’s light and airy with big windows that look out on to the street. So, for someone who is a people watcher, this is the perfect place for me. It’s a hive of activity which today helps with the lack of conversation. Normally I would be pointing out people to Kurt and listening in on other conversations. You can’t help it in here because every table is so close together.

They say the sign of good food is how busy the dining room is.

Well, Freshilicious has earned its reputation. The food is superb.

One of the servers is laying our food down on the table as the waitress places the coffees between us. As they are retreating, Kurt finally starts speaking.

“What would you like to do today? I planned our adventures yesterday, so your turn today.”

The happiness of yesterday seems like a lifetime away. My stomach sinks because I know he’s not going to like my answer.

“Davina wants to see me. She’s coming over at eleven to spend time together, so you can head home for a while if you like.” Taking a mouthful of my cereal, I can see out the corner of my eye his fork stopping, halfway to his mouth.

“No, I’ll just hang out with you both.” He doesn’t bat an eyelid and keeps eating.

Plucking up the courage to say the next thing makes my leg bounce under the table. “I don’t need you while she’s there. Go home and take a break. I will see you later. Davina can protect me just as well as you.”

And there it is.

The intense hurt on his face that I’ve put there. Something I never wanted to do, but I can’t work out how else to do this.

Telling a man who proclaimed his love for you, and that he would lay his life on the line for you, that someone else can do the same job is like tearing his heart out.

Or tearing mine out.

Either way, it stings like a bitch.

I’ve never seen the look he’s giving me before now. It’s like a different man just sat at this table. A new Kurt, and I’ve got no idea who he is.

“Not happening. Now eat!”

And not another word is spoken.

What the fuck do I do now?

Chapter Twenty

ASHA

Breakfast eaten, the bill paid, and back in the truck driving back to my house, and I’m still trying to work out how I’m going to talk to Davina alone without Kurt hearing what I say. I could try to demand he leaves and goes home, but I know by the reaction earlier that he’s going to resist that strongly.

Which is strange in itself. He is used to leaving me alone, knowing Scott or Davina is always there watching me. So, if Davina is there, it shouldn’t be an issue. Yet after hearing his discussion this morning, I know there is something going on, and I’m not in on any of it.

Looking at the time, I see it’s only eight am and I have three hours before she arrives. I can’t bear to be around Kurt and let my nerves keep growing.

“I need to get some writing done before Davina arrives,” I blurt out into the silence.

“Sure. I’ll just hang out with Coco.”

I hate this. It’s not us. We don’t have trouble communicating or sharing what’s going on.

Pulling up at the house, I open my door, and just as I’m starting to get