From Seduction to Secrets

by Andrea Laurence

And well before she’d agreed to go out with the same Steele family to celebrate July Fourth on their yacht.

  “You forgot, didn’t you?”

  Kat turned around to face her dearest friend and shook her head in dismay. “How could I have forgotten? I planned the whole thing.”

  Hilda wrapped her arm around Kat’s shoulder. “You haven’t missed it yet. No worries. You’ve had a lot on your plate, hon. You’ve got pregnancy brain, so do what I do and put everything in your cell phone. If it isn’t in my calendar it isn’t happening.”

  “Right. My phone.”

  Hilda gave her a squeeze and stepped away. “What is it?”

  “I... They’ve invited me to spend the holiday with them.”

  The older woman looked at her for a moment and then nodded. “Well, you should go.”

  “I can’t! I’m supposed to be the one fighting to save this place. I can’t go out on their yacht while I know you guys are out there sweating to death with picket signs and bullhorns. I would feel so hypocritical. I can’t. I just can’t.”

  “You’re not the only one fighting for the District. You’ve been our most vocal member, but there are plenty of others here that need to do their part, too. Let them paint their picket signs and march their afternoon away. Maybe it’s even better if you aren’t there for that. It could cause you some unnecessary angst with your family.”

  “But you’re my family. You’re all I’ve got. All that matters.”

  “Not anymore. You’ve got new family now. And they’re excited to include you in their lives. That’s great. I’m very happy for you. It’s what you’ve always wanted.”

  “But I don’t want a new family. I want you and Zeke and everyone else.”

  Hilda wrapped her in a supportive hug. It was exactly what she needed in that moment, but it wasn’t enough to stop the tears from overflowing down her cheeks and wetting her friend’s T-shirt.

  “We’re not going anywhere, Kitty Kat. Family can change, but they never really go away. Whether we’re here at the District, or it closes and we scatter to the winds, you’ll always be able to find us when you need us. I promise.”

  It was just like Hilda to say that and refuse to let her feel guilty. “You’ll always be there for me, but I’m not going to be there for all of you. I ruined everything. I’ve lost focus.”

  “You did nothing of the sort. You’ve put your focus and your priorities where they belong—on your daughter. Tomorrow, you are going to put on a nice dress and a ton of sunscreen and go enjoy the holiday with your new family. We will carry the torch and things will be just fine. No matter what happens.”

  Kat opened her mouth to argue, but Hilda held up a finger to silence her. “No matter what happens.”

  * * *

  Kat took a deep breath and made herself get out of the Lexus at the marina. There still hadn’t been any word on her Jeep, which made her think that Sawyer was just humoring her and had no intention of taking back the Lexus. Of course, after the way their lunch had ended the other day, she might step outside some morning and find the Lexus had been towed off to the Steele compound out of pure spite.

  Still, for now she had it, and it was allowing her to get around town, which she needed to do. If Finn’s attorneys forced some kind of cash settlement on her, the first thing she’d do was pay Sawyer back for the car. She didn’t want to feel like she owed him anything, especially after the ugly things he’d said.

  She’d just been trying to get a little space to breathe and to think. It was necessary, especially after that moment they’d shared in the doctor’s office. Sitting there, holding his hand and looking at the baby together had felt special. It felt right in a way that it shouldn’t have. She didn’t need those kinds of thoughts and feelings clouding the situation with Finn. Sawyer had reacted with anger, only proving that she was correct. They’d gotten too close and it could jeopardize everything.

  Kat hadn’t seen or heard from Sawyer since she’d left the restaurant and that was okay with her. She’d even planned on sitting out the holiday invitation in favor of protesting with her fellow artists, but Jade had called her and insisted she come. Morgan and her husband, River, were back from their honeymoon and wanted to meet her. No excuse seemed to stick with Jade, so now Kat was about to spend several hours on a small boat with Sawyer and his family in the middle of the harbor. Space was not an option.

  She eyed the boats docked at the marina and her gaze caught the name of the biggest one: License to Drill. No doubt that belonged to the tool magnate Steele family. It looked like it had to be nearly two hundred feet in length, towering over the other boats, with four decks reaching to the sky. Maybe she would be able to avoid Sawyer after all.

  As she headed that way, she noticed two women standing on the lowest deck. They were like day and night, blond and brunette. As she got closer, she recognized the blonde as Jade. That meant there would be at least one smiling face there to welcome her today and counteract Sawyer’s grumpy countenance.

  “Kat! You made it!” Jade was looking her direction and waving.

  She waved back and walked up the pier to the stairs, where she could come aboard. The two women were there to meet her. “Kat, this is Morgan. She’s finally back from her honeymoon.”

  “Hey, my first honeymoon was such a mess, we decided this one was going to be extra special. I highly recommend Fiji.” The dark-haired woman with the golden tan smiled and stuck out her hand. “I’m Morgan Atkinson. I’m still getting used to saying that.”

  “I’m Kat,” she responded, shaking her hand. “I’m sorry if I caused a problem at your wedding.”

  Morgan waved away her concerns. “It’s not a problem. I’m only sad I missed you slapping the daylights out of Sawyer. I know Finn is the one who deserved it, but Sawyer can be a smug little jerk when he wants to be, too.”

  “Come on,” Jade said. “Let’s get you settled in and introduced to everyone. I think you’re the last to arrive, so we should be departing soon. Morgan’s husband, River, is here, and my fiancé, Harley, is around somewhere. Probably hiding from my parents. And Grandma is here, of course. She’s excited to get to spend more time with you. We’re hoping this time she shares. No one was able to get a word in with you or her at the party Saturday.”

  “What about Sawyer?” Kat asked, as they climbed a set of stairs to a higher deck.

  “He’s here. He was chatting up River about construction last I saw them.”

  That didn’t surprise Kat. He probably had drywall and electrical conduits on his brain, with less than two weeks to closing the District.

  The women led her through the luxurious interior of the yacht to the elevator. Looking around, Kat had a hard time believing she wasn’t in a hotel. There was art on the walls, marble on the floors and polished wood everywhere. Everything was shiny and expensive, with inlaid gold, onyx and mother of pearl, making her feel incredibly out of place and wondering if she still had sawdust in her hair from working at the studio that morning.

  They stepped out of the elevator onto one of the higher decks, where the rest of the family was gathered under shade sails around a hot tub and lounging area. Everyone cheered as she made her entrance, and the girls introduced her to the people she hadn’t met yet. They mingled and nibbled on canapés while sipping cocktails and enjoying the sea breeze. Kat chose her seltzer and a seat far from Sawyer where she could protect her fair skin from the sun.

  The rest of the afternoon was a blur. Once they set sail, the family moved inside, to where a “casual” buffet dinner of shrimp kabobs, baby back ribs, fire-roasted corn and twice-baked potatoes had been set up for them. The family seemed much more at ease without a bunch of guests around. They laughed, sipped their drinks, told Kat embarrassing stories about Finn and pumped her for information about the baby. When she finally told them it was a girl, there were more cheers of excitement.

&nbs
p; After a few hours, Kat found herself really enjoying this time with the Steeles. She was having more fun with them than she’d ever expected to. They were remarkably down to earth once you set aside the luxurious surroundings. After eating, some people played cards on the top deck, while others went to a lower lounge to watch the water from shaded sofas. Kat was included in every conversation and game. They didn’t look at her with suspicion the way she’d thought they might, nor did anyone pin her in a corner to grill her. Aside from Sawyer generally avoiding her, everyone was friendly and welcoming. Just the way she imagined a family was supposed to be.

  She had no idea how things were going to go with Finn when he returned. She had her fingers crossed about that. But if she liked him half as much as she did the rest of this family, they might have a chance. Kat hadn’t intended to start a family this way, but it seemed as if her daughter would at least get some decent aunts and uncles out of it.

  “You guys need to come outside to the top deck if you’re going to watch the fireworks the city is setting off over the harbor. We’ve got a surprise, too,” Morgan said.

  Kat had been watching Sawyer and Harley battle each other at chess when they heard the call from above. She was surprised to notice the sun had gone down while they were playing. When she reached the top deck, she noticed the whole boat was lit with pink light.

  “Surprise!” Jade and Morgan said, as she stepped out.

  “How did you turn the yacht pink?” she asked in amazement.

  “All the lights are remote controlled fluorescents and can change to over two hundred thousand color combinations. Tonight, in honor of Baby Girl Steele, it’s going to be pink. I don’t care if it’s the Fourth of July,” Morgan declared.

  “We’ve got a few minutes before the fireworks start,” Jade said. “Come with us to get some drinks.”

  Kat followed the girls to the bar, where a gentleman in a polo shirt embroidered with the name of the yacht was waiting to make them a drink. She took her club soda and cranberry juice back with her, enjoying the view from the deck now that the sun had set. Charleston lit up, with the bridge stretching across the waterway and the Yorktown in the distance, was a stunning sight.

  The three of them settled in a private area of clustered couches, away from the rest of the crowd on the third deck.

  “Okay, so without everyone else around to hear, I’m curious about what’s going on with you and Finn,” Jade pressed.

  Kat placed her drink on the table and settled back in her seat. “Not much, yet. But I’m hopeful for more than what his lawyers offered.”

  “Was he being cheap?” Morgan asked, an appalled look on her face.

  “No, not at all. He was extremely generous, actually. But I guess I’m looking for something different from him. To be honest, what I want is a family for my child. For us both. I grew up with busy parents who were always working, and then they were gone and I was all alone in the world. I want to do this differently. I don’t just want money from Finn, I want his time. Real, quality time.”

  “Do you want to get married?” Jade asked. “It seems like a big leap after a single date, especially for Finn, but I’m sure that’s what Dad is going to be pushing for.”

  “Yes,” Kat admitted. “I know it seems silly in this day and age, but I do want to get married to my baby’s father. I know I don’t love Finn and he doesn’t love me, but this is about more than that. It’s about creating a supportive and loving environment for the baby to grow up in. Maybe love will come in time. I don’t know. I can only hope that Finn will step up and do the right thing, and that everything works out.”

  “Well, Finn is always surprising people,” Morgan said. “I hope for your sake that he takes this seriously and you get everything you’re hoping for. Then you can name the baby after her sweet and supportive Aunt Morgan.”

  Nine

  Sawyer didn’t pay much attention to the fireworks, the patriotic music or the impressive desserts the yacht’s chef brought out when they were over. No, his mind was someplace else, thanks to overhearing Kat’s discussion with his sisters.

  After she’d walked out on him at lunch the other day, he couldn’t decide if he was irritated or grateful. She’d pushed him away and he’d pushed back twice as hard on reflex. Maybe it was for the best, after everything he’d overheard tonight, but he couldn’t help but feel like crap since it happened. He wanted to apologize for the ugly things he’d said. He’d almost pulled her aside twice today to do just that. The first time he’d been stopped by a text from Steele security about District protesters outside their corporate offices. Even with Kat on the boat with him, he knew she was behind it. He’d stewed about it for a while and then went to find her again after his chess game. He found her with his sisters and hesitated. Now that he’d heard what she’d said to Jade and Morgan, he was glad he hadn’t spoken to her alone. He needed to butt out of the whole situation.

  Kat wanted to marry Finn and live happily ever after with their daughter. She knew the odds were stacked against her, and yet she wanted the best for her baby, and he could tell she wouldn’t rest until she had it. Before Finn even knew what hit him, he’d be swept away in a tide of domesticity. He’d own a nice house in a good school district, drive a minivan and be celebrating his fifth wedding anniversary with Kat. Somehow, he did everything wrong and was going to be rewarded with a woman and a life he didn’t deserve.

  For the third time in recent memory, Sawyer was practically green with jealously of Finn. He hated that feeling.

  And so he’d started smothering it with alcohol. Or trying to. The Scotch had unfortunately kicked in right about the time the yacht returned to port and everyone was unloading to go home.

  Sawyer ordered a coffee and chugged it so hot he burned his tongue, but he wasn’t sure it was going to be enough. He stumbled a bit heading down the stairs, but was lucky enough for Harley to be there and keep him from hitting the deck with his face.

  “Whoa, there. Do we need to call you a car, Sawyer?” Harley asked. “I’d give you a ride, but you live the wrong way.”

  “Shh,” Sawyer slurred, and looked around for Trevor and Patricia. “Don’t make a fuss about it or my folks will make me ride home with them and stay at the house. I do not want to sober up with our housekeeper’s homemade hangover juice.”

  “Ugh,” Morgan groaned. “I think Lena just made us drink that as a punishment for partying as teenagers. It doesn’t help the hangover at all.”

  “Well, you can’t drive. Can you just sleep over on the boat tonight?”

  “I’ll take him home. I’m pretty sure it’s on my way. Pregnant women are nature’s designated drivers, anyway.”

  Sawyer turned around to see Kat standing nearby. She was the last person he needed to be alone with while his filter was down and his tongue was loose. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll talk to the captain about crashing here.”

  “No, you won’t. You drove me home when my Jeep wouldn’t start. I owe you one. Just promise me you won’t throw up in the Lexus. You can’t regift a car that smells like puke.”

  She smiled at her joke and his heart started racing in his chest. Kat had a light sweater pulled over her bare shoulders to protect from the chill of the sea air, but earlier, she’d worn only the strapless navy blue sundress. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and it swung back and forth when she walked. He’d wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked today, casual and elegant, but it had seemed like a bad idea. Lately, all his ideas were bad ones.

  “I promise,” he said instead. Perhaps some time alone would be what he needed to apologize, and then both of them could move on.

  Harley and River helped Sawyer walk off the boat, and loaded him into her passenger seat while Morgan put Sawyer’s address into the GPS. “Are you sure you can handle him?” Harley asked with concerned eyes.

  Kat nodded and climbed into
the car beside him. “I’ll be fine. I’ll just slap him when we get to his place and he’ll wake right up.”

  Harley’s and River’s laughter was muted by the slamming of the car door. As she started the engine, Sawyer pushed himself up in the seat and put on his seat belt for the ride.

  “Thank you for driving me home even though you hate me.”

  “It’s not a problem, and I don’t hate you. You might be a jerk sometimes, but I don’t want you driving if it isn’t safe.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said, after an extended silence.

  Kat turned to him for a moment before merging into the traffic and heading to his place. “You’re sorry for what?”

  “For everything I said to you the other day. I was upset when you said we were over, and I lashed out at you. That wasn’t the right thing to do. I know now that you just want what’s best for your daughter and that’s to be with her father. I shouldn’t be angry or try to stand in the way of that. I only want what’s best for you and the baby, too.”

  She seemed stunned by his apology, letting the words sink in before she finally responded. “Thank you, Sawyer. I’m sorry, too. I guess we both could’ve handled it better. I never should’ve entertained something with you when I knew what I wanted with Finn. I should’ve told you.”

  With the air clear, they drove in silence across the peninsula until they closed in on his place. “You have reached your destination,” the GPS announced, disrupting the quiet inside the car as she pulled up in front of his house.

  “You can turn into the drive just there.” Sawyer pointed and hit a button on his key chain to open the gate to his private driveway.

  She turned in and came to a stop, shutting off the engine. “Let’s get you inside.”

  Sawyer looked at her with confusion. “You’re coming in?”

  Her pointed expression shot down any thoughts he might entertain about her inside his house. “I’m going to help you up the stairs and get you in the house. If you behave, I might make you some coffee and toast.”