heading.” She glanced up after finishing typing. “Need a repeat?”
“Yes,” Katrina answered.
“I got it.” He repeated verbatim her directions and took Katrina’s elbow, leading her in the direction they needed to go.
“That was amazing, how’d you do that?”
Once settled in the elevator after following the hospital’s version of the yellow brick road, he answered, “I have a knack for remembering things.”
“That’s cool.”
“How old are you Katrina?” With her young looks, he pegged her at just around twenty-one.
“I’m twenty-one. Why?”
How could he say that through her, he’d find pieces of Deja she’d shielded from him? “No reason.” Derek moved aside as the elevator doors opened and let her step off before him. On the wall a placard showed the room sections. “We’re close.” Derek took the lead following the room numbers until they reached Deja’s. From the hall, he heard her arguing with someone, he assumed the doctor. He rapped on the door and leaned his head inside. “There you are, Deja.” Censoring himself was difficult. Calling her beautiful was second nature. Being discrete was one thing, but a total three-sixty was another. The urge to hug her and kiss the top of her head hit him hard as was the need to backhandedly berate her for being pig-headed. Instead he opted for settling across the room. “You’ll stay the night and another if the physicians believe you need to.” His tone brooked no argument.
Deja lifted her head from her bed. “Katrina? What are you doing here?”
“When the hospital called, Mama said to come and make sure you were okay. She didn’t want to bring the whole family.”
Derek sat quietly intrigued with how this scenario would play out. If asked would she deny a relationship with him? Would he be an associate, or friend? In the end, he decided to give the sisters some privacy and followed the doctor out.
In the hall, he received the information he needed from the doc and headed down for a cup of coffee and a sandwich, checking his watch to gauge when he should make his reappearance.
They had never talked about her family. They had never talked much about her. He gave her the space she needed on the hope she’d let him into her life. Five sisters and two brothers was a big immediate family. A good portion of Deja’s stress came from her parents financial issues. She’d said her desire to become financially responsible for herself stemmed from her childhood.
He couldn’t recall seeing many pictures of her family on her walls. Nor could he remember seeing any photo albums lying about. Why? With that thought, he trekked through the hospital back to her room. His woman confused him, but he wouldn’t have her any other way. Arguing met his ears as he pushed the door open and walked in. “I’m back.” Approaching the bed, he laid his hand on hers and rubbed, needing the soothing touch more for himself. “How are you feeling?”
“Like shit. Katrina please go home. Your questions are hurting my head. I just want some peace.”
Katrina sighed. Derek thought in resignation.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay overnight with you?”
“Positive. I won’t rest if you do. You never run out of things to talk about.”
Derek flashed Deja a look saying that was unnecessary.
“I’m sorry Kitt-kat, I’m not feeling myself.”
“You haven’t been feelin’ yourself for a looong time,” Katrina muttered under her breath. “Nice to meet you Derek.” She walked over and kissed her sister on her cheek. “Love ya.” Then she flounced out the door, shoulders slumped.
Against All Odds is in my Anthology Only Skin Deep. The first two in the antho, are All Woman an Flaws and All. Against All Odds is a full length novel. I included All Woman and Flaws and All, to share the relationship of three best friends.
About the Author
Being smart and sassy with a great sense of humor comes easily for Mahalia Levey. An avid reader
“Yes,” Katrina answered.
“I got it.” He repeated verbatim her directions and took Katrina’s elbow, leading her in the direction they needed to go.
“That was amazing, how’d you do that?”
Once settled in the elevator after following the hospital’s version of the yellow brick road, he answered, “I have a knack for remembering things.”
“That’s cool.”
“How old are you Katrina?” With her young looks, he pegged her at just around twenty-one.
“I’m twenty-one. Why?”
How could he say that through her, he’d find pieces of Deja she’d shielded from him? “No reason.” Derek moved aside as the elevator doors opened and let her step off before him. On the wall a placard showed the room sections. “We’re close.” Derek took the lead following the room numbers until they reached Deja’s. From the hall, he heard her arguing with someone, he assumed the doctor. He rapped on the door and leaned his head inside. “There you are, Deja.” Censoring himself was difficult. Calling her beautiful was second nature. Being discrete was one thing, but a total three-sixty was another. The urge to hug her and kiss the top of her head hit him hard as was the need to backhandedly berate her for being pig-headed. Instead he opted for settling across the room. “You’ll stay the night and another if the physicians believe you need to.” His tone brooked no argument.
Deja lifted her head from her bed. “Katrina? What are you doing here?”
“When the hospital called, Mama said to come and make sure you were okay. She didn’t want to bring the whole family.”
Derek sat quietly intrigued with how this scenario would play out. If asked would she deny a relationship with him? Would he be an associate, or friend? In the end, he decided to give the sisters some privacy and followed the doctor out.
In the hall, he received the information he needed from the doc and headed down for a cup of coffee and a sandwich, checking his watch to gauge when he should make his reappearance.
They had never talked about her family. They had never talked much about her. He gave her the space she needed on the hope she’d let him into her life. Five sisters and two brothers was a big immediate family. A good portion of Deja’s stress came from her parents financial issues. She’d said her desire to become financially responsible for herself stemmed from her childhood.
He couldn’t recall seeing many pictures of her family on her walls. Nor could he remember seeing any photo albums lying about. Why? With that thought, he trekked through the hospital back to her room. His woman confused him, but he wouldn’t have her any other way. Arguing met his ears as he pushed the door open and walked in. “I’m back.” Approaching the bed, he laid his hand on hers and rubbed, needing the soothing touch more for himself. “How are you feeling?”
“Like shit. Katrina please go home. Your questions are hurting my head. I just want some peace.”
Katrina sighed. Derek thought in resignation.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay overnight with you?”
“Positive. I won’t rest if you do. You never run out of things to talk about.”
Derek flashed Deja a look saying that was unnecessary.
“I’m sorry Kitt-kat, I’m not feeling myself.”
“You haven’t been feelin’ yourself for a looong time,” Katrina muttered under her breath. “Nice to meet you Derek.” She walked over and kissed her sister on her cheek. “Love ya.” Then she flounced out the door, shoulders slumped.
Against All Odds is in my Anthology Only Skin Deep. The first two in the antho, are All Woman an Flaws and All. Against All Odds is a full length novel. I included All Woman and Flaws and All, to share the relationship of three best friends.
About the Author
Being smart and sassy with a great sense of humor comes easily for Mahalia Levey. An avid reader
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