“Your table is over here.” I overhear her tell Andy.
We walk in a maze between round tables to one near the front. A podium is set up not too far from where we are.
“I forgot to mention I may be a guest of honor tonight,” he says with a mischievous smile.
Before I can question Andy’s whispered words, a woman in a Grecian dress of white and gold floats over as her flowing golden hair follows her.
“Drew! I’m so happy you were able to make it.”
She’s taken his arm and turns him to completely face her.
“Désirée,” Andy barely gets out before she air kisses both of his cheeks.
“You are so handsome. And you’ll be fine tonight. My sister would have said so herself.”
Her words seem genuine, yet she sounds so fake. I can’t help but feel sorry for her needing to try so hard. Then she plasters herself to him as her voices hitches on her next statement. “I know she would.”
I watch as Andy’s hand slowly comes up to pat her back. I’m hoping his hard on is gone or she’ll take it as a good sign. It takes several seconds before he’s able to disentangle himself from the woman.
“Désirée, I like you to meet Cate McKnight, my date for the evening.”
She doesn’t bother to hide her surprise. “Oh, Cate McKnight,” she repeats as if she might know me. Woman to woman, I know her thoughts. She pulls it together. “I thought you were coming alone.”
His smile is broad and I watch her disappointment grow. Andy steps back so he can slide his hand around my waist. “I was able to convince Cate last minute to join me.”
There is calculation in her eyes, so I’m ready for what’s she about to say.
“Are you related—?”
I cut her off before she gets any further. “No, we’re not related.”
She knows damn well we’re not. Disdainfully, she glances over my dress. No doubt she’s determined it’s not straight off the runway. Then, her eyes land on my naked ring finger. Satisfied, she smirks. The fact that she now believes I don’t have a permanent claim to Andy as mine pleases her.
“That’s too bad. I was hoping some of his family would come to celebrate in his honor,” she says haughtily, dismissing me. She turns her attention back to Andy. I begin to think only a ring on my finger would get her to back off. She smiles stunningly at him and for a second I think she’s probably a better match for him. They come from similar backgrounds, I suppose. “Well, I can’t wait for your speech.”
Speech? I give Andy a look but try not to appear too surprised. I don’t want Miss Stick Up Her Butt to have any more reasons to think less of me.
She gives him another smile and saunters off with a sashay in her step that begs men to watch. Andy gets points for not noticing. Yet, he doesn’t explain the speech thing. He has us circle the table to find our name cards. When we do, I know my name is on the list; I want to rush over and tell her. But I don’t.
“Speech, huh?” I ask after he pulls out my chair and helps me sit.
“Yes. Sorry about that. It’s not that big of a deal.”
But Andy is a bigger deal than he lets on. People keep stopping by and talking to him. I feel foolish as I’m introduced over and over and then ignored because of who Andy is. Andy is a good guy and tries to include me, but I sit and fiddle with the place card or my phone to pass the time.
“Don’t look so glum, dear. These things are all a game.”
I glance over to an older woman who could be my grandmother, although she’s more regal than mine. The diamonds in her ears and on her fingers prove that.
“Ignore that Désirée. She’s a bore and no competition to you, my lovely girl. That man can’t keep his eyes off you.” Her eyes shift to my left as she speaks. “Well, I think there is someone else who also has his eye on you.”
I glance up and see Ted Caine. For a man at least ten years my senior if not more, he’s sexy in a James Bond sort of way.
“Drew, nice to see you.”
Andy turns to me and begins to introduce me yet again, but Ted leans down to pick up my hand and place a kiss on my knuckles.
“Nice to see you again, Cate.”
Andy glances at me. I plunge forward in my greeting to hopefully explain without explaining.
“You too, Mr. Caine. I received an e-mail from your office and look forward to working on the project.”
His eyes twinkle and dance over me. “Let’s not talk shop here. Work can wait until Monday.”
I smile then and turn away, hoping to avoid any more conversation. Ted is attractive but he’s practically my boss. Plus, Andy is the one that pushes every one of my buttons.
“I see you’ve met my date, Cate. However, I think they are about to begin,” Andy says, politely dismissing the other man. I glance up to see Andy’s jaw tense as if he’s speaking through gritted teeth.
Ted nods and sits at a nearby table when, of course, Désirée appears at the front.
“I’d like to welcome all of you to the first annual Davenport Cancer Research Fund benefit. As you all are aware, I lost my sister to this deadly disease two years ago. But it was a young resident who was on duty one day over six years ago who spotted something so tiny it might have been overlooked. He gave my sister more time. Even with experimental drugs and radiation treatments, we were not able to save her. But we were able to extend her life, so she and I could travel and see the world together while she was still relatively healthy. That young resident found the incurable early on. Only this disease had already claimed my sister. And time was against us. Still, before she died, she asked me to do this. She wanted me to continue the fight even though she was gone. She wanted me to thank the resident that gave her time to say goodbye to everyone she loved. She gave me this.”
Désirée pulls out a sheet of paper and begins to read a letter that makes even me wipe at my eyes. By the time she invites Andy to come up and say a few words, you can hear the sniffles throughout the room.
I want to hear Andy speak, but Désirée has other plans. She plops herself in his vacated chair. “He’s really great isn’t he?”
“He is.” I face the podium not wanting to miss his speech.
“He’s never mentioned you.”
Glancing back, I shrug, not planning to play this woman’s game. I switch my focus back to Andy, knowing what she is up to. I wish Jenna were here. She would have told her off by now. I’m not so bold, at least during Andy’s speech.
“I mean, just yesterday when I was at the hospital and he practiced his speech with me, he never said a single word about you.”
Points for me, as I maintain a smile. “Funny, he hasn’t mentioned you either.” I almost throw in a bit about us spending the night together even though nothing happened. However, I know she will say something else to one up me. I’m really not sure I want to know if Andy has slept with her or not.
Andy’s speech is short because when she goes quiet, the room erupts with applause. She smiles at me as she stands to give Andy another hug. Only she leans up and presses her mouth to his. His eyes are wide and he glances at me as he steps back trying to be polite. She is back at the podium introducing someone else as Andy sits. He dabs at his mouth with a napkin while I wonder just what was between the two of them.
He moves to take my hand, but I manage to put it in my lap without making a scene. I’m not exactly pissed at him. He didn’t initiate the kiss. However, I feel blindsided and it would be disingenuous on my part to pretend I’m okay with how this night has gone so far. He sighs and we listen to several more speeches before food arrives, which seems backward. The few events I’ve attended, you ate and then the talking occurred.
I pick at the food and I’m grateful when the servers appear to remove the plates. Afterward, when more people come to talk to Andy, I excuse myself to the restroom. When I come back, I head to an atrium to get some air instead of going back into the ballroom. A few people are mingling and I rest my hand on rails when a voice has
me turning around.
“Long night.”
I turn to face Ted. “You can say that.”
“Ah,” he says tipping his head back a little. “Désirée has her sights on your young man. I can’t say I’m unhappy with it. I’m glad I’m out of her crosshairs.”
He winks then laughs with a jovial sound. I’m left unsure of exactly what he means.
“She knows what she wants.” That’s the best compliment I can give. I’m not totally sure who she is to him and don’t want to offend one of my company’s best clients.
“That she does.”
We stand there in silence for a bit before he flags down a waiter and grabs two flutes of champagne.
“A toast,” he says. “To Désirée.”
I have no idea where he’s going with this so I reluctantly raise my glass.
“May she never get what she wants, at least when it comes to men.”
I raise my glass a little higher and then I drink deep.
Ted starts to tell me stories about her amorous pursuits. After just one, I know he isn’t one of her fans. I’m practically doubled over with laughter as he tells me about this one guy’s girlfriend tossing red wine all over Désirée and her white dress when she finally had enough of her chasing her man. That’s when Andy finds me.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Ted glances between us. “Well, it was fun talking to you, Cate. I’ll see you Monday.”
I nod, feeling a little tipsy.
“So you know Ted?” he asks awkwardly.
Again, his jaw is tense and his jealousy is cute. But I have my own questions.
“Not as much as you know Désirée.”
He lets out a suffering breath. “Cate.”
“You know, I’m tired. If you’re not ready to go, I think I’ll take a cab home.”
He studies me and I hold his gaze.
“No need for a cab. I brought you and I’ll take you home. Let me just say some goodbyes before we leave.”
He takes my hand and won’t let me go as much as my heart needs him to. Instead, I want to melt, with his fingers interlocked with mine. This man means more to me than I want to admit, which is why I’m so hurt. I know my anger is irrational. Andy is a gentleman. Désirée, on the other hand, is a viper and I shouldn’t let her ruin my night. Only she already has.
After the farewells and so sad you’re leaving earlys, Andy helps me into my coat. While we wait for valet, he says, “Désirée is a friend.”
“Oh, I know,” I say sarcastically.
“Cate—”
“Don’t worry. I know she’s into you and maybe you’re not into her. I get it. But she heard your speech and I didn’t. Hell, I didn’t even know you were giving one.”
“Why didn’t you hear my speech?” he asks puzzled.
“She was too busy telling me about how much time she spends with you and how you practiced your speech with her.”
“Cate—”
“Andy. I don’t want to fight. I just want to go home.”
The valet appears and after an exchange of a tip, Andy drives me back home without further conversation. As if lady luck loves him, he puts the car in park in a space out front. I go to open the door and he reaches for my arm. “I’m sorry about tonight.”
I give a weak smile because I am too. When he leans in to kiss me, I move out of range. “You have some lipstick here.” I dab my thumb at the corner of my mouth to direct him.
The lipstick is a ruse, but I made my point. While he’s looking in the mirror, I’m out of the car. Again, my anger is illogical, I know this. But the thought of Andy with other women makes me physically ill. And Désirée has thrown that idea in my head, even though I have no right to be upset. I’d been the one to leave. I’m the one that ran.
If not for the text from Jenna reminding me that she would be in town next week, my prospects for the upcoming week might have been bleak. But Jenna is always full of adventure, and her visit this time is no exception.
Eight
Past
The bright sun awakens me. I reach out my hand and all I feel is a cold, empty bed. Then I remember. Drew had to work this morning. Sitting up, I check out the clock and see that it’s nine fifteen. The covers are tangled up around my legs so I kick them off and get up. That’s when I notice it—blood on the sheets. It makes me wonder if Drew saw it when he woke up. And then I remember last night when he told me to go to the bathroom. Gah. Now I’m positive he saw it.
I yank the sheets off the bed, determined to get them washed and back on by the time he comes home. Once they’re in the washer, I hop in the shower. Remnants of blood rinse away. I had no idea there would be that much blood. But then my cheeks warm as I think about all the amazing things his mouth and body did to mine. I’m sure if I looked in a mirror, I’d be wearing a dreamy expression. My fingers explore the region between my legs, testing to see how sore I am, and I’m happy to find it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I quickly finish up and wind my hair in a towel. Since Drew won’t be back until after noon, that will give me time to get some studying in. Dressing in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved top, I let my hair air dry and pad into the kitchen to make some coffee. That’s when I spy the note.
Cate, Catelyn, My Catie …
What should I call you? I’ll decide by the time I get home. I hope your sleep was as great as mine and I only have you to thank for it. I believe it was all due to the greatest night of my life. Make yourself at home and I’ll see you around twelve thirty. Yours, Drew
What a sweet note, but if he calls me his Catie, I’ll have to kill him. That’ll remind me of my grandmother and that’s not going to work. Then I read it again and get a stupid grin on my face. He says it was the greatest night of his life. Does he really mean that? Why would he say it if he didn’t? There’s only one person who can help. Once the coffee is brewing, I call her.
“What is it that can’t wait until eleven?” she groans.
“Drink too much last night?”
“Grrrr. What do you think?”
“I need advice.”
“Okay.”
I read her the note and tell her just the tiniest bit about our night.
“Is that what you woke me up for?” she asks.
“Yes! This is important!”
“He meant every word. He’s not fifteen, Cate. If all he was interested in was knocking off a piece, he would’ve found some local chick and taken care of it. He wants you. Quit being so needy.”
“Yes. Right. Got it. Okay, thanks. Go back to bed.”
Click. The line is dead and Jenna is gone. But I’m still unsure of myself. And I guess it boils down to the fact that I don’t see why he wants me. But I pick myself up and go with it. What the hell, right? I may as well enjoy it while it lasts.
Grabbing a cup of coffee, I open his cabinets in search of a bite to eat. They’re fully stocked with everything. I opt for a banana. That should hold me until he gets home. About that time the washer buzzes, so I toss the sheets into the dryer and then pull out my computer to start work on another paper that’s due this week.
Before long, I’m in my stride, and my phone vibrates. It’s a text from Drew.
Drew: Good morning gorgeous! How did you sleep? And would you like to go to lunch?
Me: Slept great and I’d love lunch.
Drew: It’s a plan. I’ll pick you up. 12:30. Glad you slept well. <3
Aw, he sent me a heart. That was sweet. I get back to work, but soon the dryer disturbs me. Groaning, I get up to pull the sheets out so I can make up the bed. As I do, I’m happy to see the blood came out. With the bed all made up, I get back to my paper, and my phone vibrates again. Jeez! I’ll never get anything accomplished.
Jenna: Call me!
“What’s up?” I ask.
“I’m awake now.”
“And?”
“So? Did you do it?”
“Yes. I already told you that.”
“An
d?”
Now she’s interested. “It was fabulous. He was fabulous. What more can I say?”
“That’s it?”
“Yep.”
“Cate! I want details!”
“I’m not giving you any.”
“Oh my god! You are really in deep!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I’m puzzled by her comment.
“It means, my dear girl, that if you didn’t care about him, you’d be spilling all kinds of information. But as it is, you’re keeping everything to yourself.”
I digest what she says and I’m flabbergasted to find she’s right. Jenna and I ordinarily share everything from how a guy kisses to what his ass looks like in jeans. But with Drew, I am as tight lipped as I’ve ever been. Holy shit!
“I can tell by your silence that I’m right, huh?”
“I, uh, I’m not sayin’ yes or no.”
I hear her peals of laughter over the phone. She knows me like no other.
“Cate, it’s okay. Drew is the best. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. And honestly, he’s almost like my brother so I’m pretty sure I don’t want the finer details.”
“That’s good news because you won’t be getting them.”
She laughs some more. “Go have fun and be sure to take serious notes on hockey. If you continue to spend time with him, you will be watching it a lot.”
Now it’s my turn to chuckle. “Aye, captain. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When I check the time on my phone I see it’s eleven thirty. I decide to fix my hair and makeup so when Drew gets here I’ll be ready to leave. Then I look at my pitiful paper and sigh. I’m not even a quarter finished and I’d planned to knock this one out this morning. I hop back on it and it seems like minutes later I hear the key in the lock, and there he is, a vision in green scrubs.
“Hey, sexy writer,” he says as he walks in the door.
The Cruel and Beautiful Series Boxset Page 11