A Locked Box

Chapter 21

   Devin chuckled silently as Kat slipped into a light sleep. Her head laid on his chest as she snuggled deeper into his arms. He had never seen her like this. He had never seen her so unguarded. He had never seen her be so human. He stayed silent, not wanting to disturb her or ruin this intimate moment. To distract himself, Devin focused on her face. She looked so peaceful and almost childlike while sleeping. Her lips were relaxed, as was the whole of her face. She breathed in steady, even inhales, a couple stray hairs blowing in her tranquil exhales. The tiny white scars that littered her face sparingly looked more like light blemishes that drew him closer. They were like dimples in a charming smile. It added to her alluring image. Was it possible to look so beautiful while sleeping? Devin's finger brushed a scar on her temple. He lingered there, tracing the tiny line.

   He was surprised to find the skin to be smooth. Her hair was just as smooth, silky between his fingers. This was a blissful moment for him. He was able to hold her tightly and comfort her. He got to see her in her most vulnerable state. He got to protect her. Devin's chest swelled with pride and affection. Pressing his lips lightly to the top of her head, he mumbled a quiet 'goodnight'.

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   When Kat stirred, she was surprised how warm she felt. Even her feet were in a comfortable heat. A soft blanket covered her and as she blinked her dark eyes open. She was met with a sleeping face. It also happened to be the source of her warmth. Devin snored lightly, his arms wrapped protectively around her. One pressed into the divot of her waist while the other overlapped it in an X fashion. Her face had snuggled itself into the crook of his chest and arm during sleep. A sheepish smile formed on Kat's lips as she straightened her spine. It cracked stiffly, but comfortingly.

   Devin shifted, his arms pressing her closer to him. He yawned, his eyes remaining closed. Kat wiggled away groggily, their tangled legs brushing against each other. Kat's bare feet looked tiny compared to Devin's socked feet. "Good morning," Devin said, his voice rough from sleep. His eyes were now open, sparkling slightly in the sunlight that peeked through the living room curtains. Kat stared up at him, unsure of what to say. She hadn't been this close to another person since Jake. A pang entered her heart as the dark memory flashed in her mind. It made her lips tug down in a frown. Devin misread her expression. "Are you uncomfortable?" he moved to sit up but Kat stopped him with a firm but gentle nudge.

   "I'm not frowning because of you," she spoke without an expression. She wanted to hide her inner turmoil. After that night, she was ashamed that Devin had seen that side of her.

   "Then why are you frowning?" Devin asked, shifting to get comfortable again on the cushiony couch.

   Kat avoided his gaze. "It's nothing."

   Devin snorted. "To bring an expression out of you has to be more than just nothing." he pressed lightly, entering enemy territory. His smile, on the other hand, was coaxing the words out of her mouth.

   "Just a past memory." she caught herself before she could be too revealing.

   Devin raised a skeptical eyebrow but didn't question it further. Why did he have to such a gentleman? That quality had always irritated Kat. She never deserved that kind of treatment. She watched as a mischievous glint formed in his eyes. Moving, he left Kat on the couch and turned to the kitchen. "Do you have food in your house?"

   Kat smirked. She had caught on to his plan the moment he had moved to stand. She sat up, keeping the blanket on her legs. "I'm not hungry."

   "Well, neither of us ate dinner last night." Kat winced slightly at the mention of that humiliation of a night. "So, we need to eat something to remain healthy."

   "Where did all of the formal talk come from?" she asked jokingly. "Remain healthy?" she was chuckling. She hadn't caught on to that part of his plan.

   "So you either have food or I go out in and buy some," Devin said, smirking.

   Kat's amusement was wiped away. A pleading look formed in her eyes before she could build her walls back up. It pained her to be alone right now. The realization of this had her unbalanced and scared of her sentiments. She was never scared of her emotions.

   Devin raised an eyebrow. "You don't want me to leave?" there was a hint of hilarity in his voice and eyes. She turned away. She wasn't about to admit that he was just as good as her at reading her emotions. "I'll take that as a yes," he said, silently chuckling to himself. He took a seat on the ground, facing the couch. His dimples showed along with a mischievous look. "We can order something. But I'm paying." he really wanted to ask her something and get a full, honest answer.

   Kat sighed. "Just ask me the question."

   "Why do you think I want to ask a question?" Devin asked, his feigned ignorance was obvious.

   Kat didn't smile at the adorable way he was trying to keep a straight face. "Because you never want to willingly buy me food." her voice held nothing but cold, hard seriousness. "Just ask the damn question!" she snapped when he didn't reply.

   "You're not going to answer honestly and besides it will be easier to talk to you when you're eating," Devin said firmly. He never spoke so forcefully.

   Kat was taken aback for a moment. Then she smiled, knowing that he was going to get his way one way or another. Sighing, she verbally directed Devin to where she kept menus. She didn't move, knowing if she looked in the folder she was bound to snap. She still kept Mr. Nuzum's restaurant takeout menu despite working for him. It had to be one of the first menus you would see inside. Her hands clenched into fists at the thought of Mr. Nuzum's now obliterated workplace. She was on her feet before she could stop herself.

   "What do you--" Devin stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the look on her face as she walked by. Kat didn't meet his eyes as she grabbed her charging phone from the table beside him. She dialed the number by heart. She had called so many times that the contact wasn't needed.

   She placed it to her ear as it rung. After three rings, she was losing hope that Mr. Nuzum had in fact made it out of there alive. He normally always answered at the second ring.

   "Hello?"

   "Mr. Nuzum?" Kat was incredulous that someone answered. Devin looked just as surprised. But it immediately disappeared at the grumbling from the other end.

   "Who is this and how do you know my grandfather's name?" the familiar voice turned into an angry teenage boy.

   Kat forgot to breathe. Devin placed a hand on her shoulder to remind her. "Uh, I used to work for Mr. Nuzum..."

   There was a pause. "I'm guessing you didn't see the news?" there was accusation in his voice.

   Kat's crushing grief transformed to anger in seconds. "Are you accusing me?" she snapped. Her free hand clenched into a fist. "Because if you go around accusing everyone of your lose then you're going to quickly understand how wrong you are!" When there was no response, the fuming Kat continued on. "I was only checking up on a friend to make sure he was alright! You have no reason to accuse me of anything after seconds of finding out who I am!" Kat's jaw fell open at the sound of sobbing on the other end of the phone. Her anger had gotten the better of her again. She stood there frozen, her jaw on the floor. Devin gently took the phone from her hand and held it to his own. If she wasn't so shocked, she would have given him an award for how well he read the situation.

   "I'm sorry about this. She is just as upset over this loss as you must be. Please forgive us. We are sorry for your loss." Devin spoke in a somber tone over the sobbing. He ended the call and looked at Kat with a mix of worry and disappointment. "When I saw you were calling him, I didn't think you were going to explode on his relatives!"

   Kat thawed quickly. Pressing her fists into her sides, she struggled to control her anger. Her fiery gaze met Devin's eyes. "And you wouldn't after being accused?" she spat.

   "No, I wouldn't. They would have every right to cope in whatever way works for them," he replied firmly.

   Kat turned away, her fists still at her sides. "I'll cook something and then you can leave," she said hotly. She moved into the kitchen without hearing his response.