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

I can’t believe he has turned to the other side.” Shaking her head, she stands up and takes a couple of steps before stopping and realizing she has left her crutches on the seat and begins wobbling on her feet.

I can’t even move to help her.

Davina’s words have cut me to the bone. Apparently in her eyes my heart breaking is nothing serious.

Once again, I placed my friendship in her hands when I should have kept it to myself.

Getting through this horror story that is my life would have been easier if I just stuck to myself and didn’t let my walls down to anybody.

Steadying herself on the crutches, she looks at me with eyes that pin me to my spot.

“Don’t do anything stupid, don’t say a word. Act normal and be ready at midnight. You know what to do.” Then she puts her head down and, looking at her feet, she starts off across the lawn to her car.

Leaving me standing in her dust feeling like I’m crumbling.

Wanting to crawl into a ball on the ground and cry.

But instead, I need to smile and return to Kurt.

Preparing to say my final goodbyes.

Without uttering a single word.

Before I go back into the house, I take the time to stand on the edge of the porch and just look out at the view.

The soft warm sand that is almost blinding some days when the sun hits it at the right angle.

The glistening blue waves as they crash onto the beach and the sound of it, blended with the noise of the birds and people enjoying it all.

That one spot in the parking lot where I spent a year watching Kurt from afar, my mysterious surfer boy who made my body heat up every single day just seeing him.

The way he would flirt with me when he dressed and undressed and would pretend he didn’t know I was there.

My eyes scan along the beach to where I can see Kurt’s house. Those nights on the balcony, under the stars and the moonlight. Dancing, kissing, and making love. Stupidly I thought it would never end. That it was how my life was going to be.

A happily ever after with the man of my dreams.

Very, very hot dreams at that.

But of course, it’s not meant to be. I’m starting to wonder if it will ever be like that.

A normal life, a husband, children, a house with the sticky fingerprints on the windows and a floor littered with toys. Coco chasing around toddlers and making sure they are safe.

My biggest downfall has been allowing myself to dream.

Living here since I met Kurt has been the real-life version of my inner hopes.

I’m going to miss it all, but there is one thing I won’t do.

I’ll never regret my time here.

As a single tear escapes my eye, sliding down my cheek, my phone vibrates in my hand.

Davina: In case you are having second thoughts. Don’t.

Davina: I have news on your parents. Midnight tonight. Be there.

Holy shit!

Chapter Twenty-One

KURT

Watching both of them sitting out under the tree, it’s hard to gauge the conversation.

Davina seemed her sarcastic self when she arrived, which is a relief in some way. Like I thought, there’s no immediate threat on the horizon, as far as the agency knows.

I stand far enough away from the window so they can’t see me with the sun’s reflection beating on the glass, but I can still see them. Asha’s back to me doesn’t give me much, but I don’t need to see a face to read someone.

Her shoulders are tense, and she must be talking, as Davina is smiling. Maybe this visit is just what she needs. A bit of girl time to talk about whatever is worrying her.

I’m probably smothering her. The comment earlier about breakfast and being a grown-up stopped me and made me think. Being as overprotective as I am might be getting to her.

I walk away from the window; I need to give her the space she needs. She’s safe at the moment, and Davina won’t let anything happen to her while I’m so close by, so I should use my time wisely.

I hope they will be talking long enough that I can get what I need.

I know the one thing that Asha will need while we’re away from here will be her writing. It’s what’s gotten her through up until now, and it will help to pass the time before the court case.

Kurt: Logging into Asha’s computer. I need you to connect and store everything to a secure location.

Ghost: Yep, got it. Going through the firewall now.

Ghost: Seriously, who have they got in IT security now at the agency? This is far too fucking easy to get in.

Kurt: Well, the best guy they ever had told them to shove their job, so…

Ghost: Damn straight.

Kurt: Not sure how long I have.

Ghost: Uploading now, almost there.

Ghost: Wait! What the fuck is the file ‘Men to orgasm to’?

Kurt: What the actual fuck!

Ghost: That’s what I said. Your woman has some serious sex on her brain.

Kurt: You have no idea. All book-related, of course.

Ghost: Bullshit.

Ghost: Okay, done.

Kurt: Thanks. Any news?

Ghost: Soon.

Logging back off Asha’s computer, I feel so brutal. I’ve crossed so many boundaries today.

I’ve kept things from her, told lies, hacked into her computer because she trusted me enough to give me her password. Plus, I’m spending all day planning to take her away from here and running without giving her a choice. I’m treating her exactly like everyone else has this whole way along. I’m taking away her rights.

It’s something I promised I wouldn’t do.

There is nothing I can do until I hear from Ghost, so I need to spend the day trying to make Asha smile again, if she’ll let me.

I wish we could go back twenty-four hours and just stay in the moment, carefree and forgetting about our outside problems.

The banging of a car door lets me know Davina is obviously leaving. Walking to the back door, I see Asha just staring