Keeping Guard by Christy Barritt Page B

her what to do, even what to wear and who to hang out with. Thankfully, she’d realized the wrong path that relationship was taking early enough to get out. She’d never put herself in that position again. She scrubbed harder as she thought about it. Why had she allowed herself to be treated like that?
    She threw the scrub brush back into a bucket, satisfied that there wasn’t a crumb out of place, and glanced at the clock. Closing time. Without a word to Nate, she climbed the stairs to her apartment.
    Kylie took a long shower to get the smell of grease out of her hair. Then she put on some comfy sweats and a sweatshirt and plopped in a mustard-yellow swivel chair, the mostcomfortable thing she could find in the apartment, other than her bed.
    She stared at the empty apartment. No sofa, no TV, no radio. What was she going to do with herself? And tomorrow was Sunday. Nate had informed her that the restaurant was closed on Sundays, which meant she had an entire day to do nothing.
    She’d overheard customers today talking about how nice the weather was supposed to be all weekend. Perhaps she could explore Yorktown a little bit, get some fresh air.
    She twirled around in the chair as Nate’s admonishment played in her head. No, going out alone wouldn’t be wise. Perhaps one of the waitresses, either Carrie or Suzy, was available? Probably not. They were in their early twenties and seemed more like the type to go clubbing than show a twenty-nine-year-old around an historical area.
    Kylie sighed and sank deeper into the stiff chair. She pictured what she might be doing if she were at home right now. She’d probably be at a movie with her best friend, Dina. If not, it would only be because her producer, Larry, had pestered her into working overtime to come up with some new recipes for the show.
    She had to credit much of the success of the show to Larry, though his overly ambitious ways drove her crazy most of the time. Both Larry and Dina had known about her stalker and tried to keep her safe—and occupied, which Kylie appreciated.
    A knock at the door put Kylie on edge. She glanced at her watch. Eleven-thirty? Who would be knocking on her door at this hour? Only Nate had a key to unlock the restaurant door, but still, intruders could be clever, silent on the prowl.
    Kylie grabbed the only weapon she could find—a lamp—and crept toward the door. The knock came again, more quickly this time. She licked her lips, trying to find her words.
    â€œKylie, it’s me, Nate. Open up.” He paused. “Please.”
    Nate? She let out the breath she held and jerked the door open, scowling as she did so. “Yes?”
    His gaze wandered to her hand. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    â€œI’m just being cautious.” She put the lamp on the table and turned back to him. “Do you need something?”
    He jammed his hands into his jean pockets. “I thought you might need a ride to church tomorrow.”
    â€œThat’s nice of you, but I don’t go to church. I haven’t been in years.”
    His face registered surprise. “Oh, I just assumed…”
    Kylie shrugged. “It’s okay. I appreciate the offer.”
    He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Do you need anything?”
    â€œA time machine, so I can fast-forward until after this man is caught and I can finally live again.”
    Nate frowned and shook his head. “I’d give you one if I had it. But since I don’t, you’re stuck with me for a while.”
    Kylie frowned also. “Stuck with him” was just the phrase she’d use.
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    Nate was surprised when he walked downstairs Sunday morning and saw Kylie waiting at the back door, looking lovely in crisp slacks and a flowing white blouse. Her long dark hair had been pulled back in a clip and small earrings dangled from her ears.
    â€œMorning,” he muttered when he reached her by the