Chapter 29 Greta
Greta
On the second day without the ability to leave, Kaelee had grown visibly agitated. By midday, Greta watched her pace the house like a caged animal.
“She’s worse than me,” Toni said in a low voice. They were standing in the kitchen waiting for coffee while Addie was off somewhere, and Kaelee was walking around from window to window as if she’d spy something in the thick snow outside. “Is this because of hearing from her family?”
“You know her family was threatening her?” Greta matched her volume to Toni’s, although there was no chance of being overheard.
“They aren’t going to show up at my door.” Toni looked out at the unmarked snow all the same. “Right?”
“The man has deep pockets, lawyers, politicians, and likely a few police who seem willing to do as he wants. I’m not sure what he can do.
” Greta had been weighing the possibilities.
If Tripp Alden wanted to avoid publicity, he couldn’t send the media after her.
Was physical violence the real threat? Kaelee had experienced gaslighting, physical, verbal, and sexual violence because of that man.
Her fear was logical—even if what they should fear was still nebulous.
“Kae lives at the gym. I suspect the lack of exercise is adding to her agitation.” Toni stared at the coffeepot like it was insulting her by not being instantaneous.
“Addie’s feet look about your size. I’m sure there’s boots you could borrow since you only brought those high-heeled things. Utterly impractical of you.”
“Maybe I should invite Kaelee to the room to try to wear her out.” Greta bit back a smile at Toni’s expression. “But honestly, even when we have sex all night, she never runs out of en—”
“Stop.” Toni’s back was to her now as she fixed her coffee. “No joking about that. My editor doesn’t have sex.”
Greta chortled. “Lies. At least I’m not in the news like you and Addie were.”
Toni sighed loudly. “True. So … you’re dating? Put her in front of your career?”
“Yes. She’s an incredible person.” Greta squirmed slightly. “I have other authors, you know. One of them is going to have another bestseller soon.”
“Hmph.” Toni stepped to the side and gestured at the coffee machine and assorted creams and sweeteners. “By the way, I graded your quiz on the book. You passed. You can buy the book.”
This time Greta’s laughter was loud enough to draw Kaelee’s attention. She popped into the kitchen. “What’s so funny in here?”
“I’m allowed to buy Toni’s book.” Greta held out her free hand, and Kaelee stepped closer.
Once Kaelee had Greta snuggled in against her side, she asked, “Do you think the author or editor might allow me to read the book if I take a quiz?”
“It’s not edited yet.” Toni scowled. “Probably filled with typos, insufficient plot points, and maybe it’s a terrible—”
“It’s absolutely not terrible,” Greta interjected before taking another drink of the coffee she now clutched in the hand not curled around Kaelee.
“—book that will fail,” Toni continued, ignoring Greta entirely. “And honestly, Kae, sitting down right now doesn’t seem like an option with the way you pace around like a convict awaiting escape.”
Kaelee flipped her off but said nothing. Even nestled into Greta’s side, Kaelee was squirming.
“Do you want to go for a walk? I don’t run, but maybe getting outside would be helpful,” Greta asked.
“Yes!” Kaelee squeezed her like she’d offered something incredible. “Two days of being away from the gym has me a little stir-crazy.”
“We hadn’t noticed,” Toni muttered. “If you got up earlier you could’ve gone for a run with me.”
Kaelee shook her head. “Naked woman in bed. Couldn’t move.”
Toni walked away without an audible word. So Greta looked at Kaelee. “Are you regretting staying here?”
“I’d have ended up here with or without you. Toni started thinking she’s my older sibling or something. Honestly, it’s a weird problem. My friend Cher claimed me as an honorary sister recently. What I lack in blood family, I collect in declared family.” Kaelee kissed Greta’s temple.
“Rest assured, I have no familial feelings toward you. My thoughts are one hundred percent grounded in sex, dating, and friendship,” Greta declared.
“The same.” Kaelee took the coffee cup from Greta’s hand. “I can go out by myself again today if you want to stay in where it’s warm. I bet you can find a book on the shelves or—”
“I just need warm boots, and I’m good.”
“They cleared the lot and at least one of the side roads,” Kaelee said. “I watched when I was—”
“Pacing,” Greta supplied.
“Addie says these are between a size six and a half and eight. Something there ought to fit you.” Toni dropped several pairs of boots off.
“I don’t know why we have so many sizes.
Something about her mom leaving a pair here.
” She gestured toward the downstairs. “Coat closet has hats, scarves, and coats. Borrow whatever.”
“Can we go into the backyard?” Kaelee asked as they were wrapping themselves up in layers. “I have never seen snow quite this deep and undisturbed. My building has no yard and, well, I grew up in the middle of North Carolina … not exactly a winter wonderland.”
Greta took her hand, slightly awkwardly with the bulky mittens she wore. “So no snow angels?”
“Do sand angels at the beach count?”
“Absolutely not.” Greta shook her head. “Sand castles don’t count in lieu of snowmen either, you know.”
“I suspect we’re a little old for doing all that.” Kaelee laughed. “I just want to see the snow up close.”
By the time they were standing outside in the tiny yard behind Toni’s townhouse, Kaelee was bouncing on the balls of her feet like an antsy athlete, and Greta wasn’t sure that a walk was going to be enough to take the edge off her energy—at least that was her excuse if her next move went poorly.
She scooped up a few handfuls of wet sticky snow when Kaelee wasn’t looking and tossed the first snowball at the back of her head.
“Hey!” Kaelee pivoted just as Greta launched the second snowball. It smacked her high on the chest, and a puff of flurries lifted into her face on impact. The result was that Kaelee had a brief snow cloud obscuring her vision.
Greta ducked behind a tree in the far side of Toni’s yard.
Kaelee was laughing as she lifted a handful of snow and stared at Greta. “I played softball, Greta.”
“Field hockey,” Greta countered, spying a garden rake in the small yard. She made a dash for it, but the first snowball smacked her just above the knee.
They volleyed several rounds, both hitting their target every time as they chased each other around the yard.
Then Greta had an idea. She grinned at Kaelee, and then she charged her as best she could in the knee-high snow.
Her run was a bit slower than planned, but she still toppled Kaelee into a snowbank.
“Gotcha.” Greta was sprawled out on top of Kaelee, both of them half sunken in the deep drift.
“You are ridiculous.” Kaelee stared up at her. Her cheeks were pink, and snowflakes glittered on her eyelashes.
“And you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Greta kissed the tip of her nose, the edge of her eye, and then pressed her lips to Kaelee’s in a brief kiss. “Snow angels?”
“We’re going to be too cold to walk,” Kaelee said.
“One snow angel, and then … we walk.” Greta plucked at the ski pants she wore. “I feel pretty toasty and dry still.”
“Fine. So do I.” Kaelee lifted Greta off her and pushed to her feet. “Teach me.”
Greta stood and walked several steps away, looked behind her, and flopped back into the unmarked snow. “You find a good place, no rocks or things to hurt yourself.”
She lifted her arms to the sides and made sweeping motions. “You make wings like this.” Then she swept her legs open and closed. “And then the foot of the robe.”
Kaelee stared down at her with a bemused smile. “You should look ridiculous right now.”
“Are you saying I don’t?”
“I’m saying you look beautiful.” Kaelee shook her head, as if clearing it. “I don’t feel casual, Greta. Not when I look at you. Not when I hold you. Not when we talk. What am I supposed to do about that?”
“Try not to panic? That’s what I’m doing. I put you in front of my career, Kaelee. You’re not the only one in this place,” Greta said softly. “I told my assistant, my head of publicity, my biggest author, and her agent that I am seeing you.”
“I’m afraid.” Kaelee reached down and grabbed Greta’s outstretched hands, pulling her to her feet and sliding her arms around her. “I’m falling, and it’s terrifying.”
Greta hugged her. “It’s okay to fall. I am, too. I am not trying to trap or control you, Kaelee. I just want to be with you.”
“Same,” Kaelee whispered. She caught Greta’s mouth in a tender kiss, and then said, “Okay. Fall backwards? Flap my arms and legs, and then what?”
“Then take my hands. I’ll help you stay steady,” Greta said. “Just like you did for me.”
Kaelee’s voice sounded tight as she said, “I think I’m not used to having anyone do that. Be patient with me?”
“I have and will,” Greta promised, knowing full well they weren’t talking about just this moment. “I promise I’ll be here.”