A Locked Box

Chapter 8

   "Katherine," his voice was silk, making Kat freeze. So he had remembered her! She stopped his other hand from slipping into her apron pocket and grabbing one of the bills from inside with her free hand.

   "Back to your old tricks are we?" she tossed his hand away with disgust.

   He shrugged, smirking. Kat stopped herself from smacking it off of his attractive face.

   Kat pulled her hand away, faking a sweet smile. "I never thought I would see you again, Jake," she couldn't help the venom in her voice. "What was with the trip earlier?"

   He chuckled. "I had to make sure it was you,"

   "By tripping me?" she asked in disbelief. She lowered her voice more before the remaining customers or Nuzum heard her.

   Jake smiled. "Your shift ends soon doesn't it?"

   "I'm not telling you that," she grabbed the dirty glass she had been trying to take just seconds before.

   "I'll just wait until you leave," Jake said now serious. "I thought we could catch up,"

   Kat sighed. "I hate you, you know that right?"

   "I wouldn't be here if you didn't," Jake replied as Kat placed the glass on the tray.

   Kat eyed him with scrutiny. "I leave in five minutes,"

   "I'm counting,"

   Kat left him without a word. She took other dishes and said farewell to the final few customers. Walking into the kitchen, she deposited her tray on the counter. "Do you need any more help, Mr. Nuzum?"

   "No, Kat. I'll be alright. Did the last customer leave?" Nuzum asked, looking up from the bubbly sink.

   "He will be," Kat answered, keeping her voice level. She could feel Jake's brown eyes on her.

   "Okay, then. You can go," Nuzum said, placing a rinsed dish on the drying rack.

   Kat bowed. "Have a nice night, Mr. Nuzum," she hung up her apron and pulled her jacket on. Shouldering her bag, she paid for Jake's meal, adding in a tip. As she walked towards the exit, Jake followed. He walked behind her until she turned into an alley. He stopped at the mouth of it, rolling his eyes as Kat had disappeared.

   "Real mature!" he shouted as he walked forward.

   Kat stayed silent as she hid behind a large dumpster. As Jake walked past, she pounced, pinning the taller man against the alley wall. "Why are you really here, Jake?" she asked through gritted teeth. She held his shirt collar tightly.

   Jake cleared his throat from the force of the impact. "Can't a guy go to a local soup shop and enjoy a bowl of Yukgaejang?"

   "No, not one that tries to push my buttons!" she growled, shaking him slightly.

   "As cold as ever, I see," Jake rolled his eyes.

   Kat grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. "You think I'm joking around, like when we were kids!" she was getting red in the face from her anger.

   Jake chuckled. "I am if you stand in such a vulnerable stance," he smirked as he tripped Kat up and sent her to the ground. He placed a foot on her chest to keep her from standing.

   Kat grabbed Jake's leg, twisting it so he was thrown off balance. As he fell, she moved on top of him, bending his leg forward uncomfortably. "Who was standing in such a vulnerable stance?" she asked mockingly.