CHAPTER 5

Kayla pulled up to the side of the street and turned the ignition off. She looked at the number on the side of the building, then at the number on the piece of paper in her hand. Yep. This was it. Dean Ambrose's new apartment. Kayla grabbed the box nestled in the passengers seat next to her, then exited the car. Box tucked under her arm, she walked up to the door nervous as all get out. She took a breath to try to calm her nerves, but it didn't help.

She walked up to the front door and knocked 3 times. She looked at the trees and their leaves changing to fall colors of red, oranges, and yellows. The door opened behind her. She turned to see Dean standing in the doorway wearing blue jeans, a plain black t-shirt, and a black ballcap. He leaned against the door jam and crossed his muscular arms over his chest.

"Hi, Dean."

"Kayla. How did you find me?"

"I got the address from Seth and Shannon. I...I wanted to talk to you."

"Are you going to slap me again?"

Ouch. That hurt. She closed her eyes and breathed a heavy breath. I deserved that. You didn't. I came by to apologize for last night. I was surprised to see you. I freaked out when you said my name. I didn't recognize you without your long hair. You've changed. Nicely."

Kayla cleared her throat. "Anyway...after seeing you, the hurt, the anger, the pain came back. I treated you unfairly and wrongly accused you of not feeling the way I felt when you left 10 years ago. I was wrong. I should not have said what I said and I know I should have never laid a hand on you either. I just wanted to come by here and say that I was very sorry."

Kayla held the small white box out in Dean's direction. "I hope you accept this as a peace offering."

Dean took the box and opened the lid. He moved the parchment paper around to reveal what was inside. His eyes met hers.

"Fudge?"

"Yeah. From Mrs. Anderson's Bakery."

He looked at the fudge, then back at Kayla. "Maple flavored?"

"It was always your favorite. You always ordered it when we went there, the 4 of us."

Dean removed a square of the dessert as Kayla spoke. He broke off a couple of pieces; one for him, one for Kayla. He passed a bite to Kayla and she took it from his hand. They popped it in their mouthes. Dean smiled satisfactory at the taste, the memories of the many trips to the bakery just for the maple fudge.

"I can't believe you remembered."

"How could I forget?"

Dean swallowed his bite. "Come on in."

Kayla walked into the apartment checking out the living room. Leather chair, leather sofa. Television sitting on a entertainment center with moving boxes sitting against the walls. She turned to the kitchen. Medium sized and moving boxes sitting on the counters. Kayla looked at Dean after he shut the door.

"Nice place you have here."

"Thank you."

"So, what brought you back to Boston?"

"I took the job at the precinct."

"You're a cop?"

"Yep. The captain is giving me time to get settled in and the job will be there when I'm ready."

"That's great, Dean."

"And you?"

"I'm a teacher for the 3rd and 4th grade class."

"Are you now? Which school?"

"Our old stomping grounds. Holmes Elementary."

"That's incredible. How many kids?"

"13."

"Wow. Quite a handful."

"They can be." Kayla turned her attention back to the boxes. "So, would you like some help unpacking?"

"Oh, nah. It's okay. I'm sure you're busy."

"Actually, I have nothing to do."

Dean thought for a moment. "Well...okay."

Kayla took off her coat and hung in on the front door knob. "Where would you like me to start?"

"In the kitchen if you would please and I'll continue with the boxes in the living room."

"Sure." Dean turned to walked to the front room only to be stopped by Kayla saying his name. "It's good to see you again."

"Back at ya, kid."

Kayla opened one of the boxes on the kitchen counter when Dean spoke up. "I could've had you arrested last night."

"What?"

"Especially on a police officer. I'm sure you're familiar with police brutality."

Kayla stopped what she was doing and looked at him. "Really?"

Dean turned his eyes her way. He was smirking. "No. Sounded good though."

Dean resumed unpacking the books from one of the boxes and putting them on his bookshelf. He bent down to retrieve a couple more books when...

"HEY! HEY!"

Dean's body jerked right and left with surprise. He looked to see Kayla standing behind him with a spray bottle filled with water pointed at his chest. "How's that for assault...officer?"

Kayla gave Dean one last quick spray to the chest before walking back to the kitchen.

"You're lucky I like you."

"Uh-huh."