Cuffs and Kisses

Chapter 17 - Finding a Friend

Kayne's POV

After Heather left with Max, I stay at the kitchen table absent-mindedly finishing the anatomy pre-lab worksheet. I can't stop thinking about everything that I learned about Heather. Besides the fact that I shared so much with her.

Telling Heather about my past was easier than I thought. I suppose I have Liza to thank for that. She encouraged me to tell the same stories to her over and over about my mother, so I would never forget the good moments. When remembering her, it was hard not to focus on my mom's bad decisions leading to her death.

After repeating the stories to Liza, it became easier to tell them. I think that's why it was so easy to open up to Heather. Although Heather also makes it easy to trust her with my past. She continually allows herself to be so vulnerable in front of me, I feel that I can be comfortable and vulnerable, too.

One thing that I realized from our conversation was that my feelings for her are real. They're more than the friendship I swore to limit myself to. I don't know how I'll be able to hide them. I haven't proven to be the best undercover agent in a normal situation. I'm only hanging on by the string that is Heather.

I wish I could call Liza to get her opinion on the situation. Although serious about police work, Liza also encourages following the way a heart leads.

She's like my badass fairy godmother.

I retreat to my bedroom and sit on the edge of the bed. In my nightstand, I find a light-blue envelope. Liza, knowing that I couldn't make any unnecessary contact with my past while undercover, wrote me a letter. She gave it to me after our last dinner at her house.

I've already read it ten times. The first five during the first week after Heather forced her way into my investigation. For the eleventh time, I read through Liza's letter:

Dear Kayne,

First, I want to say that I'll miss seeing you around. I've gotten used to you living nearby enough to have a drink after work on the tough days. You have a lot of tough days ahead of you, so when you miss me and want to talk, think of me and drink...responsibly. I'll be doing the same.

Your past has led you to be untrusting of most people, an attribute you've had to work through to develop new relationships. However, it has also given you the ability to see who is trustworthy and who is not.

Always go with your gut.

You don't have to be perfect from the start. Make mistakes. Hard work always pays off.

A last piece of advice I want you to take with you, know your goal. You are doing this for a reason. You know what it is.

Little by little, you're going to make this world a better place. Don't ever forget that.

Can't wait for you to come home, so I can kick your butt again.

Love,

Liza

For good measure, I re-read the words again, longing for a friend. One that I didn't have unclear and dangerous feelings for.

I lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling and thinking until a knock on my door brings me back to reality. I stroll through the cabin to the living room where I can see the white-haired top of Alice's head.

I open the door and let Alice enter.

"So, what's going on with Heather?"

"I wish I knew."