Kayce drove us to town in his truck, windows down with the radio up. I'm so glad he got some sleep. I look over at him smiling and singing along to the radio hair blowing in the wind. He's so beautiful when he's happy. I reach across and put my hand on his neck, he looks over at me and smiles, still singing.
Once we got to Bozeman he headed left into the square and Kayce parked in front of a fancy restaurant. I raised an eyebrow at him as he got out and opened my door for me."Kayce this place isn't something you'd enjoy."I said. He laughed "I don't care what l eat. But I thought you'd enjoy something better than the diner."He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the restaurant. After being seated he looks at me with a smile that makes me want to jump his bones right there, and he says. "So I brought you here because I wanted to see if maybe I'd be able to have another shot. We can go slow, as slow as you want. If you decide you don't want a relationship with me, it'll break my heart but I'd at least like to be friends. I need you in my life. At least in some form." He grabbed my hand and rubbed circles on in. I thought for a moment. "We can start trying to be friends. If it leads to more then it leads to more but it will be painfully slow." I responded. Kayce's eyes brightened and his entire face lit up. "Friends first," he smiled. "When was the last time you had sex though?"l asked and he choked on his water, "Jesus, up front and honest, alright. The last time was with Monica well before the divorce. So about two and a half years ago. Why?" Kayce responded. I was stunned."Jesus that's along time, so patience shouldn't be an issue with you. When was the last time you were tested?" He looked confused for a second before realizing I meant for STD's and said, "About 3
months after that, I'm clean though." I nodded."I'd like you to get tested today, I'll get tested
with you but I was just tested last month during my exam and I'm clean." Kayce nodded and let me know was alright with that.
We talked a lot during lunch. We talked about what one another has missed in the years we spent apart and the last few months. Monica had gotten remarried to her new husband. Tate was doing well in school. The ranch was profitable this year with his horse training. He loved being livestock commissioner and told me all about that. He told me his war stories from being a SEAL. I told him about work and the ranch. I told him about school and my friends, my coworkers, just about whatever I could remember. Once we were done, Kayce paid the bill and walked back to his truck opening the door for me. We drove to the lab and got tested, then Kayce had gotten a work call and had to head to the office briefly and I escorted him. As I watched him walk into his office that had his name on that frosted glass window on the door, I realized how proud of him I was. He had a hard time in the military but he came out whole and he became a great leader. He was fair and level headed in crisis. As he talked on his phone, typing at his computer, I walked over to him as he looked confused but he pushed back his chair.I stood in front of him, then bent down and softly kissed his lips. He grabbed my head to hold me there and then told whoever he was talking to to hold on."What was that for?" he said happily. I smiled as he grabbed the back of my thighs hugging me to him,"For making
me proud of you and what you've overcome. For being a good leader who's fair." He smiled and put his head down, teary eyed and whispered, "Thank you." he looked up and asked me for just a few more minutes which I nodded that it was okay. I like seeing this side of him.
We spent the day together talking and enjoying our time together. We went to my ranch and
he helped out with the animals. He sat quietly as I walked a new attorney through a win. We made dinner together and then watched a movie. Around 8:30, he started to get antsy. It seemed like the closer to bedtime it got, the more worried he got.
Bella-"What's wrong?"
Kayce-"Oh uh... nothing. Just tired."
Bella-"Does this happen every night?"
Kayce-"It's like you're embedded into me baby.Yeah, as it gets dark, I start to worry about the nightmares."
Bella-"I think you worrying might make them worse honey. I have a friend who specializes in PTSD, he's a counselor. I think you should meet him and talk, maybe he can help."
Kayce-" Dutton's don't do therapy..."
Bella-"I went to therapy after my parents died. There's no shame Kayce,there's no reason to suffer if you don't have to.think about it. If you want me to call and set it up l can."
Kaye-"Did it help you? Do you want me to try it?"
Bella-"It did help me, it helped me learn to grieve them properly, Just because it helped me that doesn't mean it'll help you. But instead of just rolling with it,why not try a change? It's totally up to you."
Kayce-"I'll try it baby, please set it up." I smiled and moved closer to him on the couch.
Bella-"Do you wanna sleep here with me tonight? You sleep better with me your dad said."
Kayce-"Dang girl, the first date and I'm being asked to spend the night?" he said playfully.
Bella-"What date? You didn't ask me on a date, that was just lunch between friends. You can go home though."
Kaye-"Okay noted, I have to specify it's a date. But I don't wanna go home. Can I stay?"
Bella-"Sure but no funny business."
We finished the movie and headed to bed sleeping the same way as last night. There were no bad dreams. He was so peaceful as he slept beneath me.
The next day we went to pick up Tate together and I got to see Monica. She was happy to see us talking again. "Oh girl am I glad to see you. This man was a very sad, mopey shell these last few months without you, "Monica said. I laughed."I'm glad to see you. Congrats on the wedding! I'm sorry about mopey. We're attempting to at least be friends and see where that goes if anywhere." She looked at him and smiled, which he returned a smile back that was even brighter. She then said,"be good to her Kayce and I'm sure she'll be back in your arms in no time. You two are soulmates, destined to be together."
For the next few weeks we spent as much time as we could together working on the friendship. We spent time with Tate, the family, and friends. Kayce started therapy and loved it. I went to California and won their case so it was over with finally.
