Circling Back To You

Chapter 11

Now

Kyle

(Sunday, 17:04pm)

kat: hey, is around 6 ok to come over?

Me: yess

Me: my housemaids cooking but should i bake some cookies or a cake or something

kat: omg i ❤️ belinda

kat: can u make the lemon tart thing

kat: been literally CRAVING it

Me: YES

Me: no one does lemon tart like me 🍋

kat: yayyyy okay see you!!!

It's about 6:20 when the bell rings, and I roll my eyes affectionately at the expected tardiness. Not once has Kat ever shown up less than fifteen minutes late for anything, but the best thing about her is that she always shows up, no matter what. Come hell or wild horses, Katerina Campbell doesn't ever bail.

And maybe it's my so-called abandonment issues taking, but I think that's why I was in love with her for so long. It provided some kind of unconscious sense of safety, when she proved time and time again that she would turn up even if the world held her back. Kat is absolutely unshakable on every account.

I open the door to the energetic brunette, who throws her arms around me excitedly. "Kyle!" She squeals. "Jeez, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. Oh, hey Linda," she waves happily at my housemaid, who greets her back. "What are you cooking? That smells so good, you know I missed your cooking, Belinda. Is that my favourite? Oh my God, you're an angel, Kyle doesn't deserve you."

"Hey! You can't come into my house, seduce my housemaid and then insult me."

"I can and I did." She laughs, walking into the kitchen to grab plates and set the table.

I follow suit and pull some glasses and a bottle of tequila from my cabinet, surprised when Kat instantly shakes her head.

"Can't drink, sorry. I'm driving."

"It'll wear off by the time you leave." I say, puzzled as to why this is suddenly a concern. Kat usually doesn't have any reservations about having a drink or two a few hours before driving.

"Nah, I've been playing it safe lately. Just soda's fine." Kat smiles, opening my fridge and taking a can of sprite.

I shrug, pouring myself a generous amount from my bottle, before sitting down with her opposite me. "So, are you still with that worse version of me?" I ask conversationally.

"If you mean Garrett, then no, he called me a crazy bitch and while he's not wrong, I dropped him." She says airily, taking a bite of her vegetable lasagna.

"As you should." I nod approvingly.

"And you?" She asks teasingly. "Found anyone better than me yet?"

I fake an anguished sigh. "Kat, I'm starting to think I'll never find a girl better than you. After three whole months of celibacy, you might have ruined other women for me."

"Well if that isn't one I've heard before." She smirks. "I suspected as much, which is why I decided to take time out of my busy busy schedule to make sure you're not wasting away on your own. That, and I really missed Belinda's cooking and your baking."

"Wow, and here I was thinking you would just come visit without some ulterior motive. I guess I was wrong." I say in mock-offense.

Kat laughs again, and it's a nice sound. I've missed having so much laughter in my house. It's been lonely without Kat living here. "You have experience with that, don't you?"