Bedmates Soulmates

Then she started weaving a cat.

Austyn was not a cute, cuddly bunny.

He was a capricious feline, turning on the charm when it suited him and then freezing your soul into a lump of ice with a single look.

Giana sat down next to her on the bench, smelling like gardenia and honeysuckle.

'What are you mumbling about? I could see that pout from a mile away."

Kira offered Giana the half-finished cat head. 'I wasn't pouring. Just making this for you. I can't thank you enough for getting me out of the hospital, so this is a token of my appreciation." 'A mooncake?!

'It's a cat!'

Giana laughed as she examined Kira's handiwork. "The craftsmanship needs some work. It's a good thing your livelihood doesn't depend on this."

She stuffed it into her pants pocket. 'Come on. Time to go home."

Divorce Papers

Kira stood up too fast and saw black spots.

'Ooh, head rush!!

'Don't move. Just stand still for a while and wait for it to pass.' Noah approached.

Kira blinked several times.

When the dizzy spell passed, she said, 'Thanks, Noah. Are you staying for dinner?!

'I would love to.' He stood next to Giana and tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear. 'But I have to get up early for work tomorrow."

He turned to Kira. 'So I'll entrust her to you tonight. Take good care of her, will you?'

'Sure.' Kira nodded, feeling a little guilty.

Giana had not told Noah about the time she ended up in the hospital, thanks to Kayleigh and her thickset bodyguard. She didn't want Noah to worry,

If he knew Giana was hurt because she tried to help Kira, the usually mild-mannered Electronics Engineering major would probably flip Kira the bird. "Call me when you reach home.' Giana planted a kiss on Noah's cheek.

Kira looked away.

'I will. Don't stay up too late, okay? Let me know where you want to go for next Saturday. I nominate the movie theatre, but it's your choice, as usual. Noah didn't move.

"What are you doing? You're going to miss your bus.

'I won't see you for the next three days. That was just one kiss."

"So?"

'So you still owe me five, one for each morning and one for each night."

Kira moved away from the couple and busied herself with examining the grass on the ground

When Noah finally left, Giana's lips were red and slightly swollen.

Kira teased her friend, whose face was flushed. 'I would have said "get a room," but I was afraid Noah might actually take my advice and leave with you. Then I'll be left all alone, single and sad and starving." She fake-sighed.

Giana rolled her eyes. 'Single? Really? You, Kira Hewitt, aka Mrs McCarthy, are single?'

Kira followed Glana into the lift.

She was married. For now.

But that was going to change soon.

After what happened at the hospital, she decided to move up her timetable.

Glana unlocked the door of her house.

The 3-room flat was on the seventh floor of an old residential block in a rundown part on the outskirts of Stamford. The furniture showed signs of wear but was clean.

A short, narrow hallway led into the living room.

"You'll have to bunk with me tonight.' Giana led the way to her bedroom. 'My parents are away. My younger brother stays at the school dorm. So it's just you and me. You can stay as long as you want." Kira nodded gratefully.

ly the same

'Let's get you out of that hospital gown. Glana pulled open the door of her wardrobe. 'We're of roughly build, but you're going to find the pants are a little too long for you, just roll up the pantlegs." 'Okay. Thanks, Giana."

'I'll let you get changed then. Bathroom's the second door down the hallway. You can use my shampoo and soap. Don't touch the hair gel though, or my brother will go berserk."

Giana headed for the door. 'What do you want to eat for dinner? I think there's still some beef in the fridge. Beef noodles?"

Kira licked her dry lips. 'Maybe later. Do you have ice cream?"

Two minutes later, Giana returned to the bedroom with two sticks of half-melted ice cream.

"It's a good thing you mentioned ice cream. They would've turned into puddles of water and cream if I didn't get there in time."

"Something wrong with the fridge?"

'No.' Giana sighed. 'Mom must have unplugged the fridge before she left. To save electricity, she said. But I told her many times, plugging and unplugging like this is only going to cost more. Not to mention all the food that goes to waste. Like this ice cream. 'She's just trying to save on utility bills,' Kira said. 'And help the environment in the meantime."

She took the ice cream and squeezed her friend's hand. 'Come. Let me offer you a hug from a fellow stone-broke student."

Giana punched Kira's arm lightly, but leaned in for the hug anyway.

It was Kira's first time visiting Giana's house.

It was a little cramped, but everything, was neat and clean.

The apartment had that lived-in, homey feel that reminded Kira of her house back in Milton.

Giana's companionship plus the comfort food put Kira in a better mood,

I should get started on dinner.' Giana stood up from the bed after the ice cream was gone. 'You okay with beef noodles?'

'I'm okay with anything you make. I'll come and help.

"With one good arm?" Giana pushed Kita back into her chair. 'Just sit and wait. I won't be long.

"In that case, may I borrow your laptop?'

Glana typed in the password and turned the screen to Kira. 'All yours.

Kira's fingers hovered above the keyboard.

She didn't know where to start.

Was there a format for drafting divorce papers?

She started doing research.