Friday, July 13th, 2018

Kim's POV

"Excuse you, but what do you mean 'for her?' I do not care for or will ever date him."

"He turned me down on the balcony. Then, I walked by to see him in the bedroom with you!!" She was screaming, so I'm guessing Liam is on his way.

"Look lady, I don't want you or Kimberly Forester. It's none of your darn business. And, if you think I did anything with her in this bedroom you have lost your mind. Now, excuse me."

Yup, Liam, Nicole, and Rhys came. Just great.

I smacked Mr. Ellis' arm. "Why every time I am near you, drama happens?! First it was your kissing me, then the crazy girl banging on my door and threatening me. Now, this?! Just stay away from me! I don't want you either!"

Liam was upset. "What are you talking about? What crazy girl? And, why didn't you tell me?"

"Some crazy girl came to my house on Monday, warning me to stay away from Mr. Ellis. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Liam, I'll explain everything. One of my friend's sister is persistent in pursuing me. I have told her numerous times that I don't want her. She was the reason I mistakenly kissed Ms. Forester at the gala. Said sister saw it and went to Ms. Forester's home. How she got her address I don't know. That situation has been handled. She will not bother me or Ms. Forester again. As for tonight, your co-worker tried to hit on me, and I put her in her place. I went to the bathroom, and on the way back to the balcony I heard barking and meowing. So, I came into the room to check on them. That was it. I did nothing with Ms. Forester. I know you both are dating."

"I trust you, Ryder."

"Well, I'm sorry for overreacting. I saw him in my room and asked what he was doing. Thank you, Mr. Ellis for checking on my pets."

"Listen, Kimi, and Ryder please stay away from each other for the rest of the night?" Liam asked.

"I promise. Can I go sit down on the couch or something? My ankle is starting to bother me, and I want to elevate it." I kissed Snowflake and Fluffy before we left the room.

"I'll sit with you, Kimi."

"Thanks, Nic." After closing the door, we went to the living room. I sat on the couch. Liam sat with me and put my ankle on a pillow in his lap. He started massaging my ankle.

Nicole and Rhys also sat down on the other couch. "Kimi, you want something to drink?" Nic asked.

"I'll take a Painkiller."

"What's in a Painkiller, Kimi?"

"Liam, of course it has rum. It also has pineapple juice and orange juice. Then, it is garnished with nutmeg and a pineapple wedge."

"That sounds good. I'll be right back." Nic walked away.

"Liam, what's with your co-worker?"

"You know how males are labeled 'players?' Well that is what Whitney is. Don't get me wrong, Whit is one of the hardest working people there is. But, when it comes to relationships, she doesn't want one. I should have warned you all about her. That was my fault." Nic came back with a drink for me and herself.

"Kimi, you're right. This drink is delicious."

"See, Nic likes it."

"Kimi, honey I'm going to talk with Ryder for a little."

"Not a problem, Liam. I'll be right here. It's not like I can move too far."

He kissed me, put my ankle on the couch, and got up to walk away.

"I see you are at the kissing stage, Kimi." Rhys and Nic were smirking.

"That is all it's going to be. I can't go down that road again."

"That's understandable, Kimi. Take your time, girl."

"Thanks, Nic."

Ryder's POV

I'm sitting at this bar for the rest of the night.

"Hey, Ryder, sorry about my co-worker. She is what one would say is a 'female player.' How's my girl, Ryley?"

"She is great. Ryley wanted me to tell you hello."

"Tell her I said hello. And, give Ryley a hug from Uncle Liam. But, can I ask you something? What is the reason for the feud between your family and Kimi's family?"

"I have no idea, Liam. They have only told me, Rebecca, Cole, and Victoria to stay away from anyone named Forester. I had been keeping my distance most of the time."

"Have you ever tried talking to at least the Forester children?"

"Don't tell anyone I said this, but I am friends with Mitchell Forester Jr. But, every time I am near your girlfriend, it's torture. For example, on our trip to Maui, some crazy person whacked her ankle. I couldn't watch her sitting on cold concrete in pain. I had to force her to let me help her. I don't even think they caught who did it."

"Will you guys try or even attempt to get along with each other? You're my best friend, Ryder. And, I want Kimi to be my girlfriend. Just keep your distance."

"I am willing to try. Don't expect a miracle. And, you might want to rescue your co-worker from Ms. Forester. She is about to punch her in the mouth."

"Be right back."

Once again, she has dressed to impress. I must say that I am impressed myself. Or, maybe it's because I haven't been with a woman in a while. She is looking extra hot in that dress. And, I am not the only one looking.

I need to get away because the way she has her legs propped on the couch, it is driving my testosterone off the charts. Let me get out of here.

"Liam, I'm leaving now. Thanks for the invite. Good night, everyone."

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Saturday, July 14th, 2018

After sitting with Ms. Forester's pets last night at Liam's condo, I came up with the idea of getting Ryley a puppy and a kitten. Ryley is having lunch with my parents, so I was able to go to the animal shelter to pick them out. She will love the surprise. I have Ms. Forester to thank for that one.

I texted my mother to let her know the surprise is ready. They are on the way home now. I must admit, they are both adorable.

Hmm, sounds like they are here now. I went to open the door. "Daddy!!"

"How did my favorite girl enjoy lunch with grandma and grandpa?"

"Lunch was good, daddy. Grandma and Grandpa took me to have a cheeseburger."

"We went to Eats and Treats Cafe. And, might I say the food was delicious."

I had to laugh at my mother. "What's so funny, Ryder?"

"You always arched your eyebrows in disgust at that place every time I said I took Ryley there."

"Well, I am allowed to change my mind."

"True, mom. That's true. My favorite girl, daddy has a surprise for you. It's in the living room." Ryley wiggled out of my arms, then ran into the living room.

"It's a puppy and a kitten!"

"I love it, daddy! Thank you! What are their names?"

"Arf! Arf!"

"Well, that will be up to you. Both are girls, so I'll help you pick some names. The puppy is an Alaskan Malamute. The kitten is a Bengal cat."

"Okay, daddy."

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Kim's POV

Liam's building has a private area for residents to host parties. He rented it just for us. The area has a pool as well. I now have a waterproof walking boot.

"I haven't been swimming since my disaster of a trip to Maui. Thank goodness for this waterproof, walking boot."

"I'm glad for that boot too otherwise I wouldn't be able to see that bathing suit."

"Oh my gosh, you are a trip." I continued swimming for a bit. Liam got out of the pool. "I'll be right back with lunch."

"Okay." Liam dried off and left the room. I stayed in the pool and did some water exercises. Liam came back 30 minutes later. I got out of the pool, hobbled to my towel, and dried myself off.

"You fixed all of this in 30 minutes?" He fixed grilled chicken, grilled asparagus, and grilled sweet potatoes. To drink, Liam brought two glasses of wine.

"Everything was already seasoned, so I put them on the grill on my balcony."

Liam pulled out my chair for me. "It looks amazing! I can't wait to taste it." All I did was pick up my fork. Liam took my knife, cut a piece of the chicken, and fed it to me.

"Oh, my goodness, Liam this is the best chicken I have tasted. How did you season this before grilling it?"

"Well, I used a cooking method called Sous Vide."

"I've heard of it, but never tried it."

"Sous Vide, which means "under vacuum" in French, refers to the process of vacuum-sealing food in a bag, then cooking it to a very precise temperature in a water bath. Did your parents ever use those food bags where you put your meat and veggies inside, then place it in the oven?"

"No, they didn't, but I do understand what you are talking about."

"It's pretty easy to do. I cook that way most of the time. I'm glad you enjoy it. I'll show you how to cook that way. I have some steaks already seasoned."

"I would love to try it. But, for now let's enjoy this delicious dinner."

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After dinner, Liam and I went back to his condo.

"Arf!! Arf!!"

"Meow! Meow!!"

"I'll feed them. You can go change."

"Thank you." I'm chilly now so I'm going to take a nice, warm shower.

*******************

My shower was short because my ankle is bothering me a little. It's those darn screws and rods. Ugh, those things are never going away.

I changed into my nightclothes, grabbed my phone, then went to the living room. Liam was sitting on the couch while Snowflake and Fluffy were eating.

I hobbled to the couch. "Are you okay?"

"My ankle is bothering me again. It's those rods and screws. It's not fair that I am stuck with these things for life, and whoever did this to me is walking around, free."

I hobbled to the couch. "I'll be right back." Liam handed me the remote, then went to his room.

About 25 minutes later, Liam came back. He had a blanket with him. As soon as he sat down, we cuddled then he placed the blanket over us.

"It's been 5 months since that happened, and I haven't heard anything. Some days, the pain is unbearable."

"How often do you feel the pain?"

"It comes and goes. Sometimes, I feel like I am going to be addicted to pain pills. That's not me, Liam."

"Oh, I know. How about a massage?"

"I would rather cuddle. Maybe it is hurting because of the amount of time I did water aerobics in the pool."

"Cuddling it is."

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Sunday, July 15th, 2018

I woke up, nice and comfy.

"Good morning. Did we stay all night on the couch?"

"We sure did. I didn't want to wake you up, so we stayed like this."

"Trust me, Liam - I am not complaining. I like this."

My phone started ringing. It was Nic, so I answered it.

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"Hi, Nic. What's up?"

"Remember that crazy chick that knocked on your door?"

"Yes, I remember. What's wrong?"

"Turn on the television, really quick - channel 12."

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I did just as Nic said. The crazy chick was being arrested.

"The case has been solved. We now know who was behind the incident at a Maui resort back in May. Ms. Brandi Lynes has been arrested for the assault on Ms. Kimberly Forester."

I know exactly why too - Ryder freaking Ellis!!!!

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