The Killing League

50.

Nicole

They stood outside Nicole’s house.

“I’m sure it couldn’t hold a candle to Thicque, but it was still pretty good,” Kurt said. He had a sheepish smile on his face, and Nicole felt something give a little bit inside her. They had finished class, then Kurt offered to pick her up and take her out for a light meal at a seafood restaurant just up the street from her house.

“Yeah, it was good. I enjoyed it,” she said. “Good food, good company.”

They were standing just outside the front door of her house and Nicole could tell Kurt wanted her to invite him in, but it seemed like a hurdle. A very real, physical obstacle that she had trouble facing.

The thing was, it felt too soon. But she wondered even as she felt it, that it might always be too soon. Forever. Or it may be that she simply didn’t feel it with Kurt. Would she ever feel it again? The last time was with-

From behind the front door, Salvatore let out a deep bark and a soft growl.

Kurt smiled at Nicole. “Yikes,” he said.

“Oh, don’t worry,” she said. “He’s harmless. Well, he’s harmless to me, you not so much.”

Kurt laughed. “Good to know.”

“I’m kidding, he’s a good guy once you get to know him,” she said. She almost blushed at the insinuation that Kurt would get to know her dog. He must have read it on her face, too.

Kurt smiled and leaned toward Nicole. She knew what was coming, and was surprised at her reaction. She leaned back, away from him. Her body went rigid.

“Did I do something wrong?” he said. His face was neutral, but Nicole wondered if there was a flash of anger in his eyes. Geez, she thought. Dinner hadn’t been that expensive, like she owed him something.

“No, not at all,” she said. “My last relationship…let’s just say it wasn’t great.”

“Oh, okay,” he said. The awkward silence hung on for a moment too long.

“I’d like to see you again,” Kurt said.

“I’ll see you again,” Nicole said. “At class. Wednesday, right?”

He looked at her. Nicole saw in his eyes that he got the message.

“Wednesday,” he said. “Sure.”

Nicole went inside the house and locked the door.

Sal stood at attention and watched Kurt get back into his car.

“It’s okay,” Nicole said to him.

But she didn’t feel that way, at all.