Page 3 of Remnants

“Sam… platz ,” a feminine voice says as she walks in the kitchen.

The dog sits down in front of me and cocks its head to one side, causing its ear to flop.

I smile at the pup before looking up to see the woman again from the window.

The feeling from before rushes through my body once more.

I can’t figure out why I’m feeling like this toward her.

I don’t know her, but the draw I have—it’s magnetic.

I feel the heat burning my cheeks and have to quickly look away.

“Don’t worry, June. Sammy here is a big baby.” Her calm, low voice and playful wink sends a jolt straight to my core.

“J-June?” I ask softly while staring back at her, which might possibly be the biggest mistake ever because now I can’t pull my eyes off of her.

She is several inches taller than my five-foot-six inches, and seeing her now in a ribbed cropped tank top, I can’t help but notice how extremely fit she is.

My eyes roam over her tattooed arms. Flowers, filigree, and a large raven covers her tanned skin.

My eyes trail down her modest breasts to her belly button, nestled perfectly around her abs.

My mind flashes to dipping my tongue into it.

What the fuck, Kaitlin?

“Yeah, you know.” I nearly choke on air as she brings me back to my senses. “That one mom from that TV show. You look like a 1950s housewife.” She makes a motion with her tattooed fingers up and down my body, gesturing to my dress. I feel my cheeks growing hotter as I suddenly feel naked.

“Nora.” Mac shoots the woman a glare, though it’s hard to find him intimidating with one of my pink frosted cupcakes in his hand. “Be nice, she brought us cupcakes.”

“ Us ? I am sure she brought them to the person living here, asshole.” I watch as the woman, Nora, limps to the man and snatches the container out of his hand, much to his disappointment.

Relief fills me as I come to the conclusion that he’s not the reason for her limp.

I would never speak to James that way for fear of a punishment.

There’s no way this man has hurt her. Jealousy tries to rear its ugly head, but I won’t allow it.

I refuse to be jealous of someone because they have a healthier relationship than I do with my husband.

I watch as Nora plucks a cupcake out and takes a bite. A little bit of the frosting stays on her lip and the image of me licking it off her mouth flashes into my brain. What on earth is wrong with me?

“Well, apparently I’m your husband so I am entitled to half,” Mac says, and instantly my stomach sinks. Nora looks up to me, then to Mac, and lets out the most unlady-like snort while rolling her dark eyes.

“Like I couldn’t do better than your ass.

” She sticks her tongue out at the man before turning her attention back to me.

“Mac is my older brother. He’s helping me move in here.

And I use the term “helping” loosely. I’m your neighbor, Nora.

And these cupcakes are fucking amazing, where did you get them? ”

I laugh softly. “I’m glad you like them. It’s actually my own recipe. Strawberry buttercream frosted lemon cupcakes.” They both stare at me in shock for a moment.

“What?” I ask tentatively. “It’s just a cupcake.”

“It’s fucking amazing!” Nora repeats, in more shock this time. “Shit, I’m lucky if I can microwave a hot pocket properly.”

The amount of cursing is something I’m not used to. I grew up in a conservative, religious family, and James forbids me to use vulgarity. So, unless he is out of town, it is a rarity I say “crap”, let alone fuck or shit.

“Well, I live in that house over there.” I smile as sweetly as I can while pointing at my house through the window. “Any time you’re hungry, just let me know. I enjoy cooking, especially baking, so it would be nice to have someone to cook for who enjoys my food.”

Mac laughs and smacks Nora’s back. “If you don’t marry her, Nora, I will.” I freeze as I try to keep the panic from rising up.

A joke. It’s a joke. James didn’t hear it, it’s fine.

Still, I fold my hands so that my four-carat diamond bridal set is visible. Nora must notice my attempt to show off my ring because the slight upturn on her very plush looking lips falls downward into a full scowl.

I can feel the silence becoming thick and it’s obvious to me that I’m overstaying my welcome—something James has scolded me for in the past. I give them a small smile and pat Sam very gently on the head.

“Well, I best be off, but if you need anything, I am right over there. I am Kaitlin, by the way.” They both say their goodbyes and Nora walks me to the door.

“Hey, Katie.” My body stiffens. No one has ever called me Katie .

Not because I don’t want it, Lord knows I’ve tried to get my family and James to call me a cute nickname, any nickname.

But no, that would be considered childish and inappropriate.

The way it sounds falling from Nora’s lips though…

With her rich, smooth and slightly low voice…

it comes out like a song I want to keep on repeat.

I watch her jam her hand into the pocket of her black jeans, pulling out a pen. She grabs my hand but instantly pulls back and gives me a look of bewilderment. Did she feel that spark, too?

“I’ll give you my number,” she says softly as she slowly grabs my hand again and scribbles her number on my palm.

“Wow, your handwriting is really pretty,” I marvel while staring at the digits and her name. She laughs while giving me an awkward shrug.

“I would hope I write decently, I’m a tattoo artist.” My eyes widen and my mouth falls open.

“What? Really? That is amazing! I always wanted a tattoo!” This seems to peak her interest.

“What? You mean to tell me that you don't have even a tiny little butterfly hidden under there, June?” I roll my eyes but chuckle as I walk out of the door.

“Nope, not-a-one. My husband isn’t a fan. And if I did have one, it would be a bird—not a butterfly. If I’m able to fly, I want to be able to fly far away. I’ll see you later, Nora.” Giving her a slight wave I get ready to turn to leave.

She scoffs. “Always do what your husband says? Come by my shop sometime, I’ll hook you up.

” She winks, and I know she’s teasing again.

Problem is, she doesn’t realize how on the nose she is with that statement.

She has no idea that I’m about to go home, put her name in my contacts under “pharmacy”, and then spend the next ten minutes scrubbing my hand clean of her pen because if James sees it, he would be furious.

Man or woman—it doesn’t matter. I’m his wife, and my job is to serve him, talk to him, and love him.

I am not permitted to have friends. Friends are a liability.

They notice things, they ask questions, and they can cause problems. Nora definitely seems like the type who could cause a major problem.