Chapter 5: Fix You - The Broken Road

On Monday, I ran from one meeting to another while trying to sell Senators Jeffords, Snowe, and Collins on the Medicare Early Buy-in Bill. I missed lunch as a result of all the meetings. I was scrambling to pull things together for Senator Rockefeller’s book when my phone rang.

I reached for the phone. “Senator Rockefeller’s Office, Kristine speaking.”

“Hi, Kri. It’s Justin. Please don’t hang up.”

I groaned loudly. “Justin, why are you calling me?” I began massaging my forehead with my left hand. I thought I might be able to work the deeply embedded loser magnet loose. First Tom, then Michael, then Justin… dear God.

“Please hear me out, Kri. I’m so sorry about what happened. I’m sorry I lied to you. I didn’t want to hurt you. I love you. I want to come see you and work things out. Please, just give me a chance.”

“I am at work,” I gritted out. “I am not having this conversation with you. I don’t want to see you again. Don’t ever call me again.” I slammed the phone into the receiver. I buried my head in my arms as I flung them across my desk.

“Hey. Are you okay?” Patrick asked as he approached my desk.

“Just peachy,” I muttered with my head still buried in my arms. My voice and attitude were the polar opposite of peachy.

“I brought you something,” he responded teasingly. He was clearly trying to perk me up.

I slowly lifted my head. “What?”

“A grande, extra hot, toffee nut latte with an extra shot and an orange chocolate chip scone,” he announced proudly.

I jumped out of the chair and flung my arms around his neck. “Oh my God! You’re officially my new best friend!”

He stood there awkwardly, trying not to spill the coffee.

I reached for the coffee and scone. “Thank you so much. I missed lunch, and I just had the crappiest phone call ever. I so needed this!”

Patrick smiled. “I figured you’d miss lunch with all those meetings scheduled back to back. Any luck with the Rs?” We commonly referred to republicans as “Rs” and democrats as “Dems.” I had absolutely no idea why.

I took a sip of coffee as I sank into my chair. “Not yet. They’re mulling it over. I doubt they’ll co-sponsor unless Senator Rockefeller is willing to throw his support behind one of their bills. I just have to find the right piece of legislation, one that’s consistent with Rockefeller’s priorities.”

Patrick took a sip of coffee before settling into his chair. “Is that what you’re working on now?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m just pulling some things together for the book. I need to conduct some research on the bills those senators are sponsoring before I can make any recommendations to Senator Rockefeller.”

“Let me know if I can help,” Patrick responded before sifting through some paperwork.

I smiled. “Thanks, Patrick. I really appreciate it.” I shifted my attention to my own pile of paperwork.

All thoughts of Justin faded as I immersed myself in work. I felt infinitely better about my day. It really was amazing how a little cup of coffee could turn things around.

* * *

The next two days were equally hectic, and yet they still managed to fade into nothingness. I barely registered the passage of time. I blinked and suddenly found myself sprawled out on my couch, too exhausted to fix dinner or even shower after my workout at the gym.

I was nodding off to sleep when my cell phone ripped me out of the work-induced coma. I answered without bothering to look at the number on my screen. “Hello?”

“Hi, Kri. This is Kadyn.”

I shot upright, suddenly wide awake. “Hi. How are you?”

“Good. I was calling to see if you wanted to join me and some of my friends at King Street Blues for dinner Friday night.”

I grew quiet as I pondered the invitation. Me and some of my friends. That would be like hanging out with friends, not really a date, right? I bit my bottom lip. “Are there any other girls going?”

“Yes. Two or three. These are my Air Force friends. We get together just about every weekend. They're fun. I think you’ll like them.”

“Okay. So this isn’t a date?” I confirmed with a hint of relief. My mouth fell open. I couldn’t believe I’d just asked him that. I slapped my forehead. Hard.

Cade jumped off the couch, presumably looking for someplace to hide. It was that embarrassing.

“Do you want it to be a date?” Kadyn inquired after a rather lengthy pause.

I jumped up from the couch. Crap! Did he just throw this back on me by answering a question with a question? Crap, crap, crap! I immediately began pacing across my living room.

“Kri?”

I groaned. I knew what I was about to say was going to sound stupid as all get out. “Well, here’s the thing. I kind of decided that I’m not dating anyone while I'm in DC. I'm planning to move back to Montana at the end of the fellowship, and I don’t want to be tempted to stay. I just don’t want to give you the wrong impression by saying yes; but I really enjoyed spending time with you on Sunday. So, if you're okay with not dating, then I’d like to join you and your friends.” Well, if that wasn’t the nail in the coffin on the only sane guy that had shown interest in me in over a decade…

The phone line grew quiet. “I’m okay with that,” Kadyn finally responded.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I cringed when I realized he had probably heard me. “Okay. Great. Should I meet you there?”

“Why don’t we go together?” he responded. “That way you won’t have to drive home by yourself after dark. Can I pick you up at seven?”

I glanced at Cade as he peeked around the corner of the hallway. “Sure. I’m in building five. Apartment 1D.”

“Okay. I’ll see you at seven o’clock on Friday night, then.”

I reached down and ruffled the fur on Cade’s head as he returned to my side. “Thanks for inviting me, Kadyn.”

“Anytime,” he replied.

I sighed as I ended the call. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was blowing it with one of the last few nice guys walking the planet.

* * *

After considerable debate, I decided to wear a black scoop neck shirt with a short, softly pleated gray skirt for my non-date with Kadyn. I paired the outfit with black knee length dress boots. I was refreshing my mascara and lip gloss when the doorbell rang.

“Hey,” I greeted as I opened the door.

“Hey,” Kadyn responded with a smile. He was wearing faded blue jeans that were just the right kind of baggy, a dark brown Henley shirt that fit snug across his chest, and a brown leather jacket.

I tried not to swoon at the scent of sandalwood and leather. “You look nice,” I commented nervously.

“You too,” he responded with an even bigger smile.

This is not a date, I reminded my traitorous stomach.

Kadyn reached down to pet Cade, who had joined us at the door. “This must be Cade, the nine pound dog with the ninety pound attitude.”

I stared at Cade in shock when he let Kadyn pet him. “The one and only,” I confirmed as I scooped up my raincoat. The weather had been fluctuating a lot lately, so I was wondering whether I’d need a warmer coat.

Kadyn led the way to a black Acura TL, which was parked in the fire lane just outside my apartment. He opened the passenger door for me.

Still not a date, I chided my quickening pulse.

We made small talk as we drove into Old Town, Alexandria. I had never seen Old Town at night. King Street was beautifully lit. Thousands of white lights had been woven around the trees that lined both sides of the street.

Kadyn parked his car. He tucked my hand in the crook of his arm as we walked out of the parking garage. I suspected he didn’t trust me to walk in the boots, given my inability to manage them while sitting on a stool.

I felt my resolve falter as I admired the twinkling lights, the cobblestone sidewalks, and the couples who passed by us with their heads tucked together romantically. My footsteps kept time with the chanting in my head. It’s not a date… It’s not a date… It’s not a date...

Kadyn and I stopped abruptly in front of King Street Blues. The restaurant was a two story brick building painted in a Cape Cod blue. The windows and door were trimmed in yellow, and they were lit with red neon lights. We stared at the mural on the side of the building, which depicted two pigs dressed up like the blues brothers.

I laughed.

Kadyn just shook his head. He opened the door to the restaurant, then followed me inside.

I stood there gaping at the inside of the restaurant. The place had been attacked by an incredibly bored artist. The walls were covered with wild murals. Strange looking paper mache animals and people were all tangled up eating, drinking, and playing instruments.

Kadyn led me through the crowded bar to the dining area upstairs. His friends were seated at two tables that had been pulled together in the center of the room.

One of the men waved at Kadyn as we reached the top of the stairs. “Hey, Kadyn! You’ve got to try these roadhouse nachos!”

I glanced at their plates as we approached the table. They were heaped with homemade potato chips, barbeque pork, cheese, onions, sour cream, and guacamole. I leaned toward Kadyn and whispered, “I hope they taste better than they look.”

He laughed as he helped me out of my coat. He draped my coat over the back of the chair he’d pulled out for me and slid his coat off as we settled into our seats.

I quietly studied his circle of friends. Everyone seated at the table looked to be my age or younger, and every one of them was in really good shape. People working on the Hill came in all shapes and sizes. If Kadyn’s friends were any indication, this did not hold true for the Pentagon.

Kadyn introduced me to a really pretty Hispanic girl named Cenia, who was sitting on my left. Her shiny black hair was cut in a chin length bob. She appeared to be a few inches shorter than me. She had pretty brown eyes and a beautiful smile. She had been ribbing some of the other people at the table when we first joined the group. I was instantly drawn to her spunky attitude.

Roger was sitting next to Cenia. He rose to shake my hand. He had a Southern drawl which made him seem every bit the gentleman, although the mischievous look sparking in his eyes suggested otherwise. Roger looked like the kind of guy who could stir up trouble and look so innocent doing it that no one would think to blame him. His light brown hair was trimmed just above the collar. He draped his arm across the back of Cenia’s chair and sat back down with a wink.

A tall, lanky guy named Phil was sitting at the end of the table. Phil had deep blue eyes. His dark blond hair was trimmed a little shorter than Roger’s. Phil seemed really laid back, like he’d be easy to be around. He was seated next to a girl named Marie. Kadyn explained that the two of them were married. Marie looked more like a Yoga instructor than an officer in the military. She was long and lean with green eyes, long brown hair, and a naturally pretty face.

Troy rounded out the group. He was sitting between Marie and Kadyn. Troy had a trim build, bright blue eyes, and short curly blond hair. Like Roger, he looked like he might be good at stirring up trouble.

Kadyn and I glanced over the menu as soon as introductions were completed. The restaurant served a hodgepodge of southern comfort food. One of the items on the menu was disturbingly named “cats and dogs.” Thankfully, it was just catfish and hush puppies. Everyone ordered ribs or pulled pork sandwiches. The waiter left with our order, and the conversation turned to the Air Force-Navy game, which was only a few weeks away.

“Do you guys want to carpool up to Annapolis and try to stay on the naval base in the officers’ quarters?” Cenia asked.

Everyone nodded or mumbled his agreement.

“Let’s tailgate. I’ll bring my portable grill,” Roger suggested as he reached for his beer.

Again, everyone agreed.

Kadyn’s shoulder brushed against mine as he leaned back in his seat. “If anyone still needs tickets, let me know. I can get a few more tickets from the coach.”

I glanced at Kadyn. I was intensely aware of his presence next to me. I was trying to resist the urge to lean into him, but the guy was like a high-powered magnet.

Cenia’s eyes met mine as she reached for a chip. “They taste better than they look. You should try one,” she encouraged with a friendly smile.

I reached for a chip that was loaded with barbeque pork and sour cream. I popped it in my mouth. My eyes widened in surprise. I looked at Cenia. “They’re not bad.”

She smiled before turning toward the rest of the group. “I’ll send an e-mail out on Monday so we can get a firm head count, determine who’s driving, and generate a list of food for meals and snacks. Do any of you know what you want to bring?”

“I’d like to make chocolate chip cookies,” Troy responded.

Everyone stopped talking.

Roger looked completely dumbfounded. “You bake chocolate chip cookies?”

“I make the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet,” Troy replied with no shortage of confidence.

“Impossible,” Roger countered, just as the waiter delivered our food. “Cenia makes the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet. Yours couldn’t possibly compare.” Not that Roger was biased or anything.

I nearly choked on my Sprite.

Troy looked thoroughly insulted. His pulled pork sandwich hung suspended in mid-air as he turned his attention to Cenia. “Are your cookies chewy or crunchy?”

A grin spread across my face as I watched the exchange. I couldn’t believe the airmen were trying to one up each other on chocolate chip cookie recipes. I risked a glance at Kadyn.

He just shook his head. We both dug into our sandwiches as the conversation between Cenia and Troy continued.

Cenia met Troy’s gaze head on. Yep, I decided. Spunky was the right word for her. “The bottoms of my cookies are firm, but the center is soft.”

Troy set his sandwich down. He shook his head as he reached for his beer. “I’m not convinced. A chocolate chip cookie should be under baked.”

I eyed Troy with renewed interest. There was some merit to his argument.

“I think we should have a taste test to decide which one of you makes the best cookies,” Phil suggested. He was clearly looking for a way to capitalize on the debate.

Cenia looked at Marie. “You care to throw your cookies into the mix?”

Marie shook her head. “No way. I’ve tasted your cookies. You can count me out.” She held both hands up to ward off any further discussion of her joining the competition.

Cenia nudged me. “You in?”

I nearly dropped my sandwich. “Me?” I squeaked.

“Surely, you bake,” Cenia teased.

I laughed. “I bake seventy dozen cookies over the holidays alone.”

Beer sprayed from Troy’s mouth. “Why so many?” he asked as he mopped up his chin.

I leaned back in my chair, suddenly embarrassed. “I baked them for the local homeless shelter. I couldn’t bear the thought of homeless children missing out on homemade Christmas cookies.”

Kadyn looked stunned, then thoroughly intrigued. A smile spread slowly across his face. “Okay, she’s in. My money’s on Kri.”

Troy eyed me warily. “So when are we going to do this?”

“We can do it at my house next Saturday,” Cenia responded. “I’ll cook chili, so plan on coming for dinner. Kri, Troy, and I will bake the cookies afterwards. The rest of you can participate in a blind taste test.” She glanced at Troy, then turned toward me. “Mix your cookie dough before you come and bring your own cookie sheets.”

Troy and I exchanged glances, then nodded.

Three new conversations broke out at once. I sat back, thoroughly entertained by the banter and the close knit group of friends. I was having a lot of fun, but I lost track of the conversation near the end. I was so cold my teeth were chattering, but I resisted the urge to reach for my jacket. I didn’t want Kadyn to think I was ready to leave.

Kadyn, who apparently didn’t miss a thing, reached behind my chair and slid my jacket over my shoulders. As he turned in his chair, his well-muscled thigh settled against mine.

I didn’t move. First, the heat rolling off him was impossible to resist. Second, the feel of his leg against mine sent sparks pinging through my body, which short circuited my brain. I couldn’t have moved if I had wanted to.

When we finally left the restaurant, Kadyn tucked my hand in the crook of his arm. The night air had turned cold so we huddled close.

“I really enjoyed meeting your friends,” I confessed as we neared the parking garage.

Kadyn smiled. “Good. I figured you and Cenia would hit it off.”

“Cenia’s kind of spunky. She reminds me of my friend Kimme.” I couldn’t wait to tell Kimme about the evening. I knew she’d be rolling with laughter when she heard about the cookie bake-off.

Kadyn opened the car door for me. He held my elbow as I ducked inside. “Most of us met at the Air Force Academy. We’ve been friends ever since.”

I watched as Kadyn walked to the other side of the car. I waited to speak until he was seated next to me. “Thank you for introducing me to them and for inviting me to tag along tonight. I had a wonderful time.”

Kadyn’s eyes softened as they met mine. “Me, too,” he admitted before starting the car.

We drove in silence most of the way home. Each of us seemed lost in his own thoughts. I really liked Kadyn’s friends. I had really been missing my own family and friends. And, now? Kadyn was offering me a new circle of friends. He could have searched the whole world over and never found anything I wanted or needed more.

Kadyn parked his car in the fire lane outside my apartment. He walked around to the passenger side to open my door. He reached for my hand as he helped me out of the car. “Do you plan on walking Cade?”

I looked up at him as I placed my hand in his. I was surprised he had thought to ask about Cade. “Yes. He needs to go for a short walk before bed.”

Kadyn was still holding my hand. “Do you mind if I sit here until you get settled inside your apartment?”

I suddenly realized that Kadyn was trying to ensure my safety. “Thanks, Kadyn. That’s really thoughtful.” I glanced down at his hand, then reluctantly released it as I walked the short distance to my apartment.

Cade’s tail was wagging when he met me at the door. I scooped him up and kissed him on the head. I dumped my purse on the breakfast bar, grabbed his leash, and locked the door behind me. Cade and I walked to the patch of grass on the other side of my balcony.

Kadyn was a few feet away, leaning against the side of his car.

Cade didn’t waste any time going to the bathroom. He made a bee line for Kadyn as soon as he was done.

Kadyn bent down and scratched Cade’s ear. “Hey, little man.”

I picked Cade up and settled him against my chest. I glanced shyly at Kadyn as I reached for his hand. I squeezed gently. “Thank you again for a wonderful evening.”

Kadyn smiled as he returned the squeeze. He slowly released my hand. “I’m looking forward to those chocolate chip cookies next weekend.”

I carried Cade back to the apartment. “I hope I can give Cenia and Troy a run for their money,” I called over my shoulder.

Kadyn laughed. “I’m banking on it.” He pushed off the side of his car and waved as I unlocked my door.

I slipped inside my apartment. I locked the door behind me, then leaned against the door. “Remind me why I’m not dating that guy,” I whispered as I nuzzled Cade’s ear.

His soft brown eyes peered up at me sadly. Poor little guy knew every reason why.

* * *

The next week proved to be a wasted chapter in my life. Everything on the Hill had come to a complete standstill. None of the senators or congressman would sign onto any bills until the budget stalemate was over, and it didn’t look like that was going to be resolved any time soon. They couldn’t even agree on a continuing resolution. Everyone was speculating the federal government would be shut down.

It was noon on Friday. I was reviewing the briefings I had pulled together for the Senator’s book. I couldn’t gain any forward movement on the Orphan Drug Bill, the Medicare Early Buy-in Bill, or the bill that expanded alternatives to nursing homes.

I stared at Patrick, who was marking up his own briefings. “Why does it feel like I’m banging my head against a wall?” I asked irritably.

“Because you are?” he responded, somehow turning the statement into a question.

“Remind me why I'm doing this,” I pleaded. The lack of progress was killing me.

“Because it’s the right thing to do?” Jonathan suggested over the top of his cubicle.

“Just think, Kri… if you can get just one of those bills passed, you’ll be helping hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people,” Patrick speculated rather optimistically.

I leaned back in my chair. “Okay. So, that might be a good reason to bang my head against the wall. How long does it usually take to get a bill passed, anyway?”

Patrick looked at his paperwork. “About nine years on average.”

I stared at him in complete disbelief.

He glanced at me. He looked completely serious.

Jonathan sidled up to my cubicle. “That’s not the real problem. The problem is… by the time you get your bill passed, it’s not what you proposed. That’s the real problem.”

I raked my hand through my hair and unconsciously began untangling the curls. “That’s beyond depressing. What are the odds I’m going to accomplish any of my goals in the one and only year I’m working on the Hill?”

Jonathan and Patrick exchanged glances.

“Slim to none,” I replied despondently.

Jonathan perked up. “Hey! I know something that will cheer you up. Chinese food. There's a really good place in the food court at Union Station. Let’s walk over there for lunch.”

The three of us grabbed our coats and made our way outside. I was anxious to shake the dark cloud that was looming over me. The air was crisp, but the sky was blue, and the sun was out. The trees still boasted a beautiful palette of red, yellow, and orange leaves, but quite a few leaves were now blanketing the ground.

As I admired the patchwork quilt beneath my feet, I was reminded again of how unexpectedly beautiful DC was. The historic architecture was artfully framed with pale pink and white blossoms in the spring and rich earth tones in the fall. The city was truly breathtaking. I wondered how it would look in winter, dusted in snow.

I tuned into the saxophone player, who was performing in his usual spot in front of Union Station. I dropped a couple of dollars into his case as we walked by.

He nodded appreciatively, without missing a beat.

I loved listening to him play while I walked to and from the parking garage every day. He eased me in and out of work. I knew my day wouldn’t be the same without him, so I made it a point to tip him at least once a week.

Union Station was packed, especially in the food court downstairs. We decided to order our food to go, so we could escape the noise and chaos. As soon as we got our food, we crossed into the park between Union Station and the Senate Hart Building. All of the benches were occupied, so Patrick sat on the ground next to a tree. Jonathan and I plopped down next to him. We ate in silence, simply enjoying the food, the sun, and the music.

Jonathan eventually broke the silence. “What do you guys have planned this weekend?”

“Not a single thing, and I plan to keep it that way,” Patrick responded determinedly.

I laughed. “I'm participating in a cookie bake-off at Kadyn’s friend’s house tomorrow.”

Patrick’s chopsticks stopped just short of his mouth. “Is that the guy who took you to King Street Blues last weekend?”

I nodded as I swallowed a mouthful of food. “Yes. Two of his friends were arguing over who made the best chocolate chip cookies, and I managed to get sucked into their competition.”

Jonathan brightened. “Hey! If you have any cookies left over, you should bring them into the office on Monday. I’ll make sure they don’t go to waste.”

My eyes widened in mock surprise. “Wow. That’s very generous of you.”

He laughed as we began packing up our little white boxes.

Patrick stood. He glanced at me as he dusted his pants off. “We’re throwing another party next weekend. You should come and bring your friend Kadyn.” He winked.

Jonathan pulled me to my feet. I shoved Patrick in the shoulder before brushing leaves off my own slacks. “Stop winking at me! I told you we aren’t dating. We’re just friends.”

“Yeah, right,” Patrick snorted. The three of us walked toward the office. “Either way, you should bring him to the party.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, okay! I’ll invite Kadyn.” I hooked my arm around Patrick and gave him a hug. It felt good to have a social life again.

* * *

I downed an entire pot of coffee Saturday morning while chatting with my parents, Lexie, and Kimme on the phone. I didn’t bother showering or changing out of my pajamas until noon. I took Cade for a long walk after lunch. Then I mixed my cookie dough so it could chill before Kadyn picked me up.

Kadyn arrived at my house at five o’clock. He was wearing faded blue jeans, a Chicago Bears t-shirt, and white athletic shoes. I was wearing blue jeans, a navy long sleeved scoop neck shirt, and chunky brown shoes. I didn’t bother accessorizing, since I pretty much sucked at accessorizing.

I grabbed my jacket and followed Kadyn out to his car. He held the passenger door open for me. I scored a whiff of citrus and sandalwood as I slid past him and settled into the seat. I really liked Kadyn’s cologne… maybe a bit too much because all rational thought fled my brain when Kadyn settled into the driver’s seat.

I placed the cookie sheets, parchment paper, and a gallon size Ziploc bag of cookie dough on the back seat.

When I turned back around, Kadyn was staring at me with an amused look on his face. He still hadn’t pulled away from the curb.

“What?” I asked nervously.

He chuckled as he pulled away from the curb. “Nothing. It’s just nice to see you again. Are you ready for the cookie bake-off?”

I smiled, remembering just how competitive Cenia and Troy had been about the cookies. “I think so. It’s not like it’s rocket science.” My smile slid into a mock scowl. “I’m still not sure how you managed to get me roped into this.”

Kadyn laughed. “You’ll do great. My friends really like you.”

“I like them too,” I replied. I stole a glance at Kadyn. He’d obviously been talking to his friends about me. Did that mean he liked me? I froze when I realized where my thoughts were taking me. I reached for an imaginary rubber band and snapped it against my wrist. Still not dating, Kri!

Kadyn merged onto the highway. “How are things on the Hill?”

I winced. “Not good. Nothing’s moving, and no one will agree to anything until the budget stalemate is resolved.”

Kadyn nodded. “That’s all anyone’s talking about in my office. We're making contingency plans in case the government shuts down.”

I shifted in my seat so I could face him. “How badly would you be impacted at the Pentagon?”

Kadyn glanced at me. “There’s an unspoken expectation that essential staff will work without pay. Most of us are willing to do so, but it violates the Anti-Deficiency Act.”

I shook my head. “That is so messed up. What about military personnel who are deployed?”

“The government will continue to pay them because it costs less money than bringing them home,” he replied.

I nodded. “Well, if anyone’s going to get paid, it should be them.”

Kadyn merged onto an exit ramp. “I agree. What about you, Kri? Will you still get paid?”

“Yes. The John Heinz Foundation pays my salary, not the government. So, I’ll still get paid to work. Most legislative staff will continue to work even if they don’t get paid.”

Kadyn looked surprised. “They’ll be violating the law if they do… same as the rest of us.”

“I don’t think federal employees want to violate the law, but they’re worried about how this might impact vulnerable populations if they don’t continue doing their jobs,” I explained.

Kadyn’s cologne enfolded me as he leaned over to turn down the heat. “I think they’ll pass a continuing resolution next week. I don’t think anyone wants to see the government shut down.”

My cheeks heated. I was completely flustered by the longing inspired by his cologne. I shook my head as I tried to focus on the conversation. “The impact on federal employees is bad enough, but can you imagine the implications for people dependent on social security, veteran’s benefits, or Medicare?”

Kadyn frowned. “No, I can’t.”

I sighed. I was so disappointed by the lack of collaboration and leadership I was seeing on the Hill. I stared out the window. My eyes widened when I saw the rainbow of colors that danced along an endless stream of trees. “It’s so beautiful,” I exclaimed.

“Yes, quite beautiful,” he whispered huskily.

I looked at Kadyn, intrigued by the change in his tone. He wasn’t admiring the trees. He was looking pointedly at me. I tried not to panic.

Kadyn turned into a large parking lot in a heavily treed housing complex. “We’re here.”

I glanced at my watch. “This must be quite the commute on weekdays. I can’t believe she lives this far out.”

“Cenia slugs in so she doesn’t have to drive,” Kadyn explained as he parked the car.

I stared at him. “What do you mean ‘she slugs?’”

Kadyn hooked his hand behind my seat as he turned to face me. “Slugging is like legalized hitchhiking. People who live this far out drive to commuter lots where they can stand in slug lines to catch a ride with someone who needs additional passengers to drive in the HOV lanes. It speeds up the commute for everyone because there are less cars on the road. There are slug lines at the Pentagon too. So people can slug back home.”

My eyes widened. “Cenia gets into a car with a total stranger every day?”

Kadyn laughed as he opened his door. “She gets into cars driven by other Pentagon employees. Besides, she’s military. She has good instincts, and she knows how to defend herself.”

By the time I gathered the baking supplies from the back seat, Kadyn already had my door open. He reached for my elbow as I stepped out of the car. Then he reached for the baking supplies. “Here. Let me help.”

We walked toward one of the buildings. “I know she’s military, but I don’t think I like the idea of Cenia slugging,” I confessed with growing concern.

Kadyn’s eyes softened as he studied me. “Cenia’s safe. I did some checking around when she first started slugging. No one’s ever been hurt or victimized when slugging. If a driver doesn’t feel right, then she can always decline and wait for the next car. Besides, she typically rides with other women.”

I nodded, marginally reassured.

Kadyn stopped in front of a door on the ground floor. He ignored the doorbell. Instead, he rapped on the door.

Cenia yanked the door open. “It’s about time you got here. What took you so long?”

Kadyn chuckled. “Miss me?”

Cenia rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She turned on her heel and led us into the living room where Marie, Phil, Troy, and Roger were sitting.

I waved at Marie as Kadyn nudged me toward two people I hadn’t met before. “This is Matt. He’s an intelligence analyst for the Department of Defense. Matt, this is Kri. She works on health policy for Senator Rockefeller.”

Matt was Kadyn’s height. He had broad shoulders, dark brown hair, and brown eyes, which contrasted nicely with his fair skin. Matt switched his beer over to his left hand. Then he wiped his right hand on his jeans so he could shake my hand. “Nice to meet you, Kri.”

I shook his hand. “Hi, Matt. It’s nice to meet you.”

Kadyn nodded toward the other man. “This is Shawn. He was my roommate at the Air Force Academy. He’s a pilot for the Air Force.”

Shawn stood a few inches taller than Kadyn. He had broad shoulders, jet black hair, and deep brown eyes. A mischievous look sparked in his eyes as he shook my hand. “Hey, Kri. What are you doing with this low life?”

Kadyn thumped him in the chest.

Shawn stumbled back laughing.

Matt watched the exchange with an amused look on his face.

Cenia reached for my arm. “I need to borrow Kri.”

I laughed at the stunned look on Kadyn’s face as Cenia led me into the kitchen.

Cenia reached for a wooden spoon. She dipped it into a large metal pot, then held it up to my lips. “Taste this.”

My eyes met Cenia’s as I tasted the chili. “It’s good.”

Her eyebrows furrowed as she tossed the spoon into the sink. “It’s okay… something’s missing.”

“The sauce is a little tangy,” I admitted. “You could add some chocolate or a little more chili powder to smooth it out.”

“Chocolate! I forgot the chocolate!” Cenia yanked a cupboard door open. She shuffled some spices around before pulling out a box of bittersweet chocolate. She tossed two squares of baking chocolate into the pot, then sprinkled some chili powder into the sauce. She stirred the chili, took a taste, and smiled. “It’s perfect. Thanks!”

Kadyn’s cologne wafted over me again. The heat from his body rolled along my back as he walked up behind me. He looped his thumbs through the belt loops on either side of my hips and rested his chin on the top of my head. “What’d I miss?”

I froze. Kadyn was so close to embracing me, I didn’t know how to react. Aside from his chin on my head, not a single part of his body was touching mine. Still, my body was acutely aware of every square inch of him.

Cenia must have sensed my unease because she flicked a kitchen towel at Kadyn and chased him out of the kitchen. “Get out! If you’re not cooking or baking, you don’t belong in here!” She winked at me as she strode back to the stove. She slipped oven mitts over her hands before pulling cornbread from the oven.

I smiled at Cenia before ducking out of the kitchen to retrieve my cookie dough and baking sheets from the dining room table where Kadyn had set them.

Kadyn was in the living room, talking to Phil and Troy.

I walked back into the kitchen. “Do you mind if I put this dough in your refrigerator until we're ready to bake cookies?”

Cenia was pulling the cork out of a bottle of red wine. “If you can find space in there, you are welcome to it.”

My eyes widened when I opened the refrigerator door. I had never seen such a well-stocked fridge… outside the one at my parents’ house. Cenia clearly liked to cook. I shoved my cookie dough inside the vegetable drawer, since it was the only part of the refrigerator with available space.

Cenia stacked a small plate, which held a piece of cornbread, on top of a bowl of chili. She handed the chili and cornbread to me, along with a glass of wine. She grabbed the same for herself, then nudged me into the living room. She cleared her throat, then spoke over the rest of the crowd. “I’m serving dinner buffet style tonight, so please help yourself. Bowls, plates, and spoons are on the counter next to the cornbread.”

Cenia blocked Kadyn as he tried to steal my cornbread. I laughed at him as I followed Cenia to the couch.

“I don’t know what I was thinking, introducing the two of you,” Kadyn grumbled as he followed the rest of the group into the kitchen.

Cenia lifted her wine glass. “Here’s to having another girl in the group who knows how to cook.” She tapped her wine glass against mine, and we both took a sip. The Chianti hinted at cherry, vanilla, and oak.

Everyone trickled out of the kitchen, balancing bowls heaped with chili and cornbread in one hand and wine or beer in the other. Marie, Phil, and Troy snagged seats at the dining room table. Matt eyed the couch, but he joined Shawn on the floor, on the other side of the coffee table. Roger sat next to Cenia on the couch, and Kadyn settled on the floor next to my legs.

Shawn nudged Matt. He nodded toward Kadyn and me. I wondered what their silent conversation was about. The room fell quiet as everyone dug into the chili. When the conversation resumed, everyone began talking about the Air Force-Navy game scheduled for the end of the month.

Cenia nudged my shoulder. “I have an extra ticket if you’d like to join us, Kri. You can stay with me and my friend Renee in the officers’ quarters.”

I glanced at Cenia in surprise. I wasn’t expecting to be invited to the game, since they had planned this trip long before meeting me. I looked at Kadyn, uncertain as to how to respond.

He smiled. “You should come.”

I set my cornbread down and turned toward Cenia. “Sure. I’d love to go. Thanks for inviting me.”

Cenia smiled. “Great! You can bring chips and salsa.”

“Be sure to dress in warm clothes,” Marie advised as she rose from the table. She disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a bottle of wine.

“Phil, Roger, and I are driving. I still have room in my car if you want to ride up with me,” Kadyn offered as he set his bowl of chili on the table and turned toward me.

I nodded. “Sounds good.” I made a mental note to line up the dog walker to take care of Cade while I was out of town. I glanced at Cenia. “What do I owe you for the ticket?”

“Nothing,” Kadyn responded. “I got it.”

I glanced at him uncertainly. “Are you sure?”

He smiled. “The coach gave me some extra tickets. You don’t owe a thing as long as you’re cheering for the right team.”

I pasted a serious look onto my face. “Navy, right?”

The entire room gasped.

Kadyn smiled when I began laughing.

Cenia chuckled. “You had me worried for a minute there.”

Troy rose from the table. “We still have this unresolved matter of determining who makes the best cookies, so I’d like to see Cenia and Kri in the kitchen.”

Everyone began laughing and talking at once. Cenia and I followed Troy into the kitchen. The rest of the group began placing bets.

I pulled my cookie dough from the refrigerator.

“How are we going to serve all three batches of cookies warm from the oven without giving away who made each batch?” Troy asked as he washed his hands.

Cenia set the oven to three hundred and seventy-five degrees. “I’m baking my cookies on stoneware, so they’ll stay warm while you and Kri bake a batch of your cookies.”

I glanced at Troy. “Why don’t we share a cookie sheet so our cookies will be done at the same time?”

Troy began digging through Cenia’s utensil drawer. He handed Cenia and me a spoon, then took one for himself. “How long do you bake your cookies?”

I set the spoon on the counter so I could wash my hands. “Nine minutes.”

Cenia squeezed foaming hand soap into my hands as she joined me at the sink.

Troy began dropping scoops of dough onto his baking sheet. “I prefer my cookies under baked, so let’s just put two cookie sheets in at the same time. That way, I can pull my cookie sheet out at seven minutes.”

Cenia shook her head as she dried her hands. She handed me the towel as she turned toward Troy. “If anyone gets food poisoning, I’m blaming you.”

Troy scowled at Cenia. “My recipe doesn’t call for eggs. No one’s getting food poisoning from my cookies.”

I covered my cookie sheets with parchment paper and reached for my cookie dough as I contemplated how best to join in on the ribbing. “Gee, Cenia, I think you should let the guy compete with his half-baked eggless cookie dough…”

Cenia burst out laughing.

I chuckled as I scooped up a spoonful of dough and dropped it on my cookie sheet.

Troy opened his mouth to object, then promptly snapped it shut. He shook his head as a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You’re gonna to be eating those words after everyone votes for my cookies.”

I shook my head. “I’m pretty sure the only thing I’ll be eating is Cenia’s cookies.”

Cenia glanced at me questioningly as she popped her cookies into the oven. “My cookies? Shouldn’t you be eating your own cookies?”

I laughed, then nodded toward the living room. “I won’t have any cookies left after they taste them.”

Cenia’s eyes widened. “And I will?”

Troy laughed. “She totally set you up with that one.”

The smell of vanilla and warm chocolate filled the kitchen. The ribbing continued as we waited for our first batch of cookies to bake. As soon as my cookies were done, we piled the cookies on numbered plates. My batch was heaped onto plate one, Cenia’s was on plate two, and Troy’s were on plate three.

Cenia loaded the plates onto a tray. I carried the tray out to the living room and set it on the coffee table. Troy trailed after me with a small bowl.

Cenia gathered small strips of paper and a handful of pens and stuck them in the bowl. She set the supplies next to the cookies as she offered up instructions. “Sample a cookie from each plate, record the number from the plate of cookies you liked best on a strip of paper, and toss it in the bowl.”

I shook my head. “I love how competitive you guys are!”

Troy laughed. “If you think this is competitive, you’re going to be in for a rude awakening when you get to the Air Force-Navy game.”

Cenia linked her arm with mine as we returned to the kitchen to bake more cookies. The three of us hung back in the kitchen until Phil announced that everyone had voted. We returned to the living room with three more plates of cookies. I settled in next to Kadyn as Roger tabulated the votes.

Roger shook his head and laughed. “It’s a three way tie.”

Kadyn and I were still mulling over the results when we drove home. He parked his car in the garage under his building and walked me back to my apartment. He joined Cade and me for our evening walk.

I turned toward Kadyn as we neared my apartment. “I had a great time tonight. Thanks for including me in your circle of friends.”

Kadyn kneeled down to pet Cade. “Thanks for baking the cookies, Kri. You and Cenia looked thick as thieves in that kitchen. I think she likes having another girl around.”

My eyes met Kadyn’s as he stood. “It was really nice of her to offer me that extra ticket to the game.”

Kadyn smiled. “I’m glad you’re joining us. Hopefully the weather will hold out.”

An awkward silence fell over us. We were both struggling with how to end the evening. Kadyn shoved his hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. “Do you want to go out to breakfast tomorrow morning and hit the grocery store afterwards? Mason and I are down to ketchup and frozen pizza, which is never a good thing.”

I was secretly thrilled. “Sure. Breakfast sounds great, and I have a bunch of things I need to get at the store.”

Kadyn walked me the rest of the way to my door. “Good. Let’s plan for nine o’clock, so we can both sleep in.”

I gathered Cade into my arms. “Sounds good.”

Kadyn took the keys from my hand as I shifted Cade in my arms. He reached around me to unlock the door. His face paused inches from mine as he pushed the door open.

My breath caught in anticipation of a kiss.

Kadyn’s gaze lingered on my lips before his eyes captured mine. “Sleep well, Kri. I’ll see you in the morning.” He handed me the keys and gently patted Cade on the head before he walked away.

I stepped inside my apartment, set Cade on the floor, and locked the door. I filled my tea kettle and set it on the stove before changing into my pajamas. I was disappointed that Kadyn hadn’t kissed me. I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I’d wanted that kiss. I sighed as I dropped a tea bag into a ceramic mug. Kadyn was proving impossible to resist.

By two a.m., I was on my third cup of mint tea and still debating my decision not to date anyone in DC.

* * *

My cell phone rang at eight-thirty the next morning, just as I was towel drying my hair. I tore through the house looking for my phone. “Hello?” I answered breathlessly.

“About breakfast….”

My shoulders fell. “Oh. Do you need to cancel? We can always do it another time…”

Kadyn quickly interjected. “No. Actually, my roommate just invited us to eat here.”

I hesitated uncertainly. “Please tell me you aren’t planning to serve frozen pizza for breakfast. Did you already run to the store?”

Kadyn chuckled. “No. Mason’s girlfriend, Gabi, stayed over last night. She just ordered groceries and had them delivered to our apartment. Well, Gabi was going to order fashion magazines, orange juice, and champagne so that she could sip on mimosas and flip through magazines while soaking in the bathtub. Mason insisted she add biscuits, bacon, eggs, and cheese to the list, so I’m making breakfast sandwiches for breakfast.”

“You can do that?” I asked incredulously. I had never heard of such a thing.

“Do what? Cook?”

I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see me. “No. Have groceries delivered.”

He chuckled softly. “Evidently.”

I juggled the phone as I tugged socks on. “I thought only elderly people got their groceries delivered.”

“Yeah, well, you might want to add self-proclaimed Jewish princesses to that list.”

A young girl’s voice rang out in the background. “I heard that! And, just for the record...  everyone does it!”

I tried to envision the type of person who would have fashion magazines and mimosas delivered to her boyfriend’s house and promptly decided I should meet Gabi.

“Okay. I’ll bring some coffee and my French Press over.” I wasn’t about to miss my morning fix.

“I don’t drink coffee,” Kadyn responded.

“I do!” another man hollered over Kadyn.

“We're in apartment four-oh-three, which is located on the fourth floor. Why don’t you bring Cade? I’ll make him breakfast too.”

I smiled. “Okay. We’ll be over in a few minutes.” I quickly finished getting ready. Then I gathered up my coffee, French Press, and Cade and walked over to Kadyn’s apartment building.

A man, who was clearly not Kadyn, opened the door when I knocked. “Did you bring the coffee?”

I smiled as I handed him the French Press. I set Cade loose, so he could check the place out. Then I introduced myself. “Hi, I’m Kri. You must be Mason.” I wasn’t sure what to make of Mason. His light brown hair was a bit disheveled looking, and he was wearing orange and brown plaid board shorts with a Hawaiian shirt. One thing was certain. He looked like he needed coffee.

“I’m not qualified to operate this machine,” Mason responded. He shoved the French Press back at me. “I thought you were making the coffee.”

I tried not to laugh. “Okay. Sure.” I followed Mason into the kitchen. I stopped abruptly when I saw Kadyn cooking bacon in loose fitting sweats and a black ribbed tank top that fit snugly over his back and chest. His biceps flexed as he turned the bacon. Holy Mary, mother of God. It should be a crime for that man to stand in front of a stove.

Mason nudged me as he raised an eyebrow. “The coffee?”

“Oh quit picking on her. You could at least let her say ‘hi’ to Kadyn before you bully her into making your coffee,” a very young, petite girl chided Mason. She had pretty blue eyes, a big smile, and straight brown hair. “You’ll have to excuse him. He’s part Neanderthal.”

Mason rolled his eyes.

Gabi held out her hand. “I’m Gabi, the self-proclaimed Jewish princess that Kadyn was referring to on the phone.” She winked at Kadyn. “By the way, Kadyn, Jews don’t eat bacon. So don’t bother cooking any of that stuff for me… unless, of course, you’re cooking turkey bacon.”

Kadyn looked at Gabi like she was on crack.

Mason was tapping his fingers against the counter. He looked at me expectantly.

I set the French Press on the counter. “Do you guys have a tea kettle I can use to heat the water?”

Kadyn and Mason exchanged glances.

Gabi burst out laughing.

I was confused. “What? What's so funny?”

“Like they’d have a tea kettle. What a hoot!” Gabi doubled over and laughed even harder.

Mason muttered something unintelligible. He grabbed a six quart pot from one of the bottom cupboards and handed it to me. “This is our tea kettle.”

I looked down at the pitiful excuse for a tea kettle. I bit my lip as I tried not to smile. “Wow. That’s just… sad.”

Gabi suddenly stopped laughing. “I know, right? That’s why I didn’t order any food from the grocery store. I didn’t think they had anything to cook it in.”

“Hey! I cook,” Mason protested.

“What??? What do you cook?” Gabi demanded with both hands on her hips.

“I cook pizza,” Mason replied.

“Frozen pizza does not count,” Kadyn responded.

I filled the pot with tap water and set it on the stove.

Kadyn nudged my shoulder before turning the burner on for me. “Thanks for coming over.”

I smiled. “Thanks for inviting me.” I dug through a couple of drawers in search of a spoon. I scooped three heaping teaspoons of coffee into the French Press before returning to the stove. I watched Kadyn crack eggs into a second skillet while I waited for the water to boil. I filled my French Press with boiling water, leaned against the counter, and watched Kadyn cook while the coffee brewed.

Mason pulled two large mugs from the cupboard before joining me at the counter.  “That thing seems like a lot of work. Why don’t you just use a regular coffee pot?”

I smiled. “The coffee tastes smoother when you brew it in a press. Besides, this was easier to carry over here than my coffee pot.” I pressed the coffee and filled the two cups. “Gabi doesn’t drink coffee?”

Mason shook his head. “Nope. It’s just you and me. Do you need milk or sugar?”

I raised the coffee cup to my nose and inhaled deeply. I sighed contentedly. “Nope. I’m good.” I glanced at Kadyn. “Would you like some help?”

He removed the biscuits from the oven with a dishtowel. “No. I’ve got this.”

Mason pulled a stack of plates from the cupboard and set them on the breakfast bar. They didn’t have a dining room table.

I ducked out of Mason’s way and wandered into the living room. Their apartment had an open floor plan, but it was much larger than mine. Their bedrooms appeared to be on opposite ends of the living room, with the kitchen tucked just to the left of the foyer. The living room was stylishly decorated in shades of gray, black, and white.

I was surprised to see a real oil painting hanging over the couch. The lack of a tea kettle and coffee pot had led me to believe I might find a black velvet poster of dogs playing poker. The oil painting was at least four feet long. The contemporary piece had vertical and horizontal streaks of gray, silver, and black across a stark white canvas.

“Whose artwork?” I asked curiously.

Kadyn handed me a plate with a breakfast sandwich and a glass of orange juice. “That’s mine. Do you like it?”

I smiled. “Yes. I do. It’s very nice.”

He returned the smile before walking back into the kitchen to retrieve his breakfast sandwich and juice.

Gabi popped her head out of the bedroom. “Is breakfast ready?”

“Yes,” Kadyn responded as he joined me on the couch.

Cade tunneled behind Kadyn’s legs. His chin rose and his nose twitched as he registered the smell of food.

Kadyn glanced at me. “Can I give him some bacon?”

I nodded. “Sure, as long as it’s a small piece.”

Kadyn handed Cade a piece of bacon. “Here you go, boy.”

Cade didn’t bother chewing the bacon. He swallowed it whole. Then he curled into a ball behind Kadyn’s legs.

I stared at my dog. I couldn’t believe Cade was forfeiting his rights as the alpha male.

Mason and Gabi wandered into the living room with their food. Mason settled into an oversized chair with a breakfast sandwich in one hand and his coffee cup in the other. Gabi perched on the arm of his chair. She was balancing a plate of scrambled eggs and a wine glass, which presumably held a mimosa.

Mason studied me. He took a few bites out of his breakfast sandwich before finally speaking. “So, are you guys dating or what?”

Gabi set her mimosa on the end table before punching him in the arm. She knocked the breakfast sandwich right out of his hand. “Did you seriously just ask that? Did your mother teach you nothing?”

He gaped at her incredulously. “What? What’s wrong with asking that?” He caught her clenched fist in one hand while reassembling the sandwich with the other hand.

I tried not to laugh.

“Are you two dating?” Kadyn asked.

“No!” they shouted at the exact same time.

Kadyn winked at me. “Huh. I guess we aren’t the only ones ‘not dating’ then.”

I shook my head and laughed. Mason and Gabi were like an old married couple. If anyone should have been dating, it was them.