Page 28 of Icy Heart, Empty Chest

“It was a bit selfish. Can’t live without you, it seems.” I managed a smile throughout the whirlwind of emotion in my chest.

“Now you don’t have to. Tell you what. Let’s order a pizza and then go for a long walk. You’re diverting company but now I’m sick of being in bed,” he remarked.

“Uh, unless you want to walk around town in my robe, we may have to make a stop to your house.”

“I’m sure I look absolutely fetching in it but yes, I’d prefer pants.”

I laughed, the levity feeling heavenly.

“I’ll see if I have anything in here that will get you from here to your house.”

I hopped out and to my dresser.

“You have way more clothes than you used to.”

“Some are from aliases on jobs. Sometimes a girl just wants to look cute.”

I pulled an oversized set of scrubs from the bottom of a dresser drawer and tossed them his way.

“You’re Dr Kelpie, MD.”

I saw him go for the tie on the robe and I bolted. As much as seeing him au natural was tempting, I felt embarrassed. Something forbidden, almost.

Just friends, right? Best friends. I had just got him back after years of loss and grief. Don’t do anything dumb, Cora.

I dialed the local pizza place and ordered. When I hung up, he was leaning against my fridge, looking like pure sin.

Today is my day to be tested by the restraint gods and I am faltering.

“Are you blushing?”

I pursed my lips together and closed my eyes briefly. “Must have stood up too fast.”

“I don’t think so,” he teased. “I think you like my outfit.”

Who was this flirtatious stranger in my kitchen? The Damien I knew was one awkward kid.

I crossed my arms. “You might look good, I’ll give you that.”

He sent a coy smile my way.

“Fishing for compliments, are we?”

“Just getting your honest thoughts, Cor. Honesty and all that.”

I wasn’t going to tell him that he looked overwhelmingly and mouth-wateringly good. He was still a shade or two pale, a little skinnier than usual and had bags under his eyes but man, hospital scrubs agreed with him. His lack of underwear was also evident.

“I think you know how good you look,” I remarked, sliding into a chair at my table. He pushed off from my fridge to follow suit. “I wasn’t kidding when I said half the girls at school had a thing for you.”

“And I told you I wasn’t really interested in any of them.”

“Well, you’ll certainly have your pick now.” I waved a hand at his physique. “You’ve literally been dead for a week and a half and you still look amazing. Which, by the way, not fair to the rest of us.”

He just grinned, staring.

I shook my head, smiling, and headed back into the bedroom for a sweatshirt and leggings. Seeing the animal nest that was my hair, I ducked into the bathroom and started brushing.

I heard a rattling in the kitchen while I was blow-drying.

After taming my long and occasionally beastly hair, I stepped back out. The living room had been completed cleaned of any sign of sickness and the futon was back to a couch. There were plates on the table and a beer next to each plate. The windows were closed and my favorite scented candle was lit.

“Whoa. Are you available for drop-ins?”

He snorted a laugh, seated back in a chair, sipping some water. “I just remember how you like things.”

Worry creased my brow. “You feel OK? No pain or weakness or anything?”

He gave me a bemused look. “Cor, I’m fine. Kelpies heal fast.”

My mood dropped a few degrees. “I babysat your unconscious ass for over a week. I’m allowed to worry,” I said sharply.

He held up his hands.

“Sorry, little nymph. It’s been like night and day from this morning. I feel pretty great, actually.”

A knock on the door signaled our pizza’s arrival. I wordlessly handed him the money and he turned away to get it.

I sat at the table trying to contain the surge of emotion, failing.

He put the box down and knelt in front of me when he saw me failing to contain the distress.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“It hasn’t been an easy few days. You got sick with a fever and I had to heal you.

When I wasn’t doing that, I just had every conceivable thought in my mind.

That you’d never wake up or that you would and you wouldn’t be you.

What I would have to do with the dead body on my couch or what if you got worse? ”

“You healed me? Is that why I feel so good?” His eyes widened.

I miserably nodded. “I had to try. I got a crystal from a contact of mine.”

He whistled low. “How much did that cost you?”

“One of my father’s paintings. When I sold the house I took a few of his favorites.”

“You’re all heart, aren’t you, felon?” His tone was gentle, tender.

I focused my troubled eyes on him and his smiley countenance.

“The good news is, I’m here now and we have dinner. Thanks to you, I have years to make it up to you.”

I nodded and started in on my beer. Feelings are hard. Beer is better.

“What should we do after the pizza?”

“You have a lot of enthusiasm.” I bit into my dinner.

He shrugged. “I feel good for the first time in ages.”

I nodded, feeling guilty. I didn’t want to take that away from him.

“Should probably take it easy but otherwise, sky’s the limit. Movie? Games? Grand theft auto?”

“Ha ha, sticky fingers. You never cared about cars.” He looked convinced.

“People can change.” I gave him my best wicked smile. His face darkened suspiciously.

“You…what…”

“Just messing with you. You’re right, cars don’t do it for me.” I delicately took a bite.

“Do you have any idea how weird it is hearing your childhood best friend became an art thief?”

I reached over and tapped his fading scar on his chest.

“Hey Pot? This is Kettle.”

He snorted. “Touche.”

He chewed for a minute and looked around.

“This is a bit weird in a way. You were just a skinny little bookworm with a backpack that was too big for her body. We made mud piles and thought up kingdoms and villages.”

“We had to grow up sometime, Dae. Couldn’t be kids forever.”

“No, obviously not. Maybe it’s weird but those memories gave me comfort. When I couldn’t feel anything at all, I thought back to you and your dad.”

I looked up curiously. “Why?”

He stopped. “Why if I couldn’t feel anything?”

I nodded.

“Because I knew how much they meant to Damien with a heart.”

I looked up from my slice, chest burning. “Same.”

“Maybe let’s get me some clothes since I’m staying with you for a while and then you can kick my ass at every board game or card game known to man?”

“Deal.”