The Delivery Girl

33. Kevin

Julie

I lay restlessly in bed, having tossed and turned for hours. Its been days since I went to Detective Carne's office and I haven't gotten a chance to bring what we discussed up to Callen. The moment just never feels right.

I haven't been able to sleep soundly since – my mind just wanders hopelessly in circles, thinking about worst case scenarios. The results-oriented, problem solving side of me has been trying to figure out this puzzle, to no luck.

I jolt as my phone suddenly lights up and buzzes, illuminating the whole room. I grab it and squint at the screen, trying to ignore the fact that it's just past 6am.

"Hey, are you awake? I'm outside."

I rub my eyes, making sure I'm not imagining this text.

"You're what?!"

I scramble out of bed and peek out my window. Right below me by the entrance of the closed restaurant is Callen. I open the window just enough to whisper-yell, "What are you doing here?"

He looks up at me, grinning as if this is completely normal. "I just—"

"Shh!" I cut him off, glancing nervously over my shoulder. "I'll come outside."

I grab my coat and quietly tiptoe down the hall and stairs. Slipping on some shoes, I step outside. I zip up my jacket – the chilly, foggy morning air nips at my nose and cheeks. The sun has just begun to rise, the golden sliver of light just barely visible above the horizon.

"Good morning," he greets me with a bright smile.

"Shh," I hush him gently. "My family might hear you."

He raises an amused brow. "Aren't they asleep? It's 6 a.m., Julie. Plus, they're a floor above, and all the windows are shut. Or are you telling me everyone's up and ready to spy on you at dawn?"

"Well, no," I admit, feeling my face flush, "but still—what are you doing here?"

"I just came back from my business trip," he says.

I vaguely remember Callen mentioning his trip. A one day conference on Saturday in Seattle. He was invited to be a panelist and felt obligated to say yes.

"I pass by your place on my way back so I thought I'd stop by and say hi."

"At six in the morning?" I can't help but giggle and nudge him playfully. "You're insane." I lean forward and bury myself in the warm comfort of his hug.

"I missed you," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

"I saw you two days ago." I chuckle.

"Move in with me."

"What?"

He gently places a bent finger under my chin and tilts my face up towards me. "Move in with me," he repeats softly, brushing his thumb against my cheek. "I hate having to say goodbye to you, Julie."

I sigh and shut my eyes. "I can't. Right now, this is where I belong," I say, looking back at our building and thinking about dad, Mei, and grandma... thinking about the life I'm tethered to. Who's going to take care of grandma while dad is working? Who's going to give Mei advice on her future? Who's going to show dad that there's someone he can be proud of? "Someday, I promise."

Callen sighs softly and nods. "I understand."

"He is your boyfriend?"

I nearly have a heart attack when I hear the door behind me. I turn around and see grandma coming outside, her expression calm but sharp. I had completely forgotten that she goes to the park on Sunday mornings to do tai chi with her friends.