If he did, Lucas could and should feel betrayed and if Lucas had any idea of all the dirty thought’s he’d had about Catherine over the years, well—friendships had ended over less.
He loved Catherine, her sense of humor and the kindness he’d witnessed on more than one occasion. Especially with the junior surf-lifesavers who feared the training. Or the way she could wait with a victim’s family while paramedics were doing their job. Calm and empathetic under pressure. It was almost cruel to have the perfect woman grow up and become the perfect package.
Why couldn’t she have grown up ugly, or at least not drop dead gorgeous. Zac imagined every guy she met throwing out lines. The pale hazel eyes, the breasts that could have their own post code, yet today she dressed so demurely. Who was he to compete for her attention, let alone proclaim his long-held admiration and love?
Catherine James.
How on earth was he going to pretend he was here for any reason other than to see her, again. But if he didn’t do something now, then his career was taking off and he’d only be in Australia a couple of weeks each month. With Lucas going off to save the world, either he made his move today or forever hold his peace.
“Mate!” Lucas greeted him with surprise. “Thought you were tied up, New York isn’t it?”
Of course, Lucas had a couple of girls hanging off him. Little did they know they weren’t his type by a couple of decades.
“Yeah, but your parents asked so nicely, how could I say ‘no’?”
“Well, good to see you, ladies, do you remember Zac Templeton? I’m sure he’ll show you the way to the bar.” Ever the generous soul, Lucas tried to palm off the women to him.
“Ladies, I’d be happy to get you a drink later, but do you mind? I need to talk to the guest of honor for a couple of minutes.” This wasn’t the day to become distracted or let Lucas think he would flake on Catherine.
Zac waited for them to be alone. Crap. Trapped in a corner, he couldn’t see a way out without telling Lucas. Catherine was still at the front door and he overheard her mother make noises about getting her to circulate with trays of food as soon as she was done with introductions.
Face to face, Lucas at least had the grace to smile and toast with fresh beers.
“Mate, I don’t even know how to say this—” Zac began.
Lucas
About bloody time.
Lucas knew before Zac even came over, what he was about to ask. Either for permission to date Cat or for her number so he could ask the lady himself.
As if Zac’s interest in Cat hadn’t been obvious to their friendship group for years. All the pathetic “Why don’t we ask your sister to join us?”
At first Lucas treated it as a joke but when Zac’s interest didn’t seem to fade, it became a fact of life. Zac had a thing for Cat and his poor sister didn’t have a clue.
“Then spit it out.” There was a party in full swing, and Lucas didn’t have the time or inclination to wait for Zac to get to the point.
“I asked Catherine for her number, to catch up and that.” Lucas stifled a smile; the poor guy was trying so hard to downplay what he wanted. “She said to ask you.”
“You want to date my sister?” Lucas couldn’t help the over-protective tone, at least outwardly.
Fuck, she could do a lot worse—and whatever drove her to Erebus would be the worse. Lucas was about to head off for months and wouldn’t be around to look out for her, not that he’d done much before.
But Zac? They’d lost contact after uni when Zac joined some global firm and started counting days in the same country as Lucas counted, well the number of times he ate at the same restaurant. Single figures. Could Zac give Cat the stability and support she needed after—well whatever she’d been through?
“Would it be a problem; I mean I’ve known her for years.”
“I know.”
“I’m only asking for her number.”
“If you’re asking me, it’s for much more than just her number and you know it. Aren’t there enough women in New York? Why my sister?”
“Because she’s Catherine. Just, because.”
Lucas didn’t have an answer, only a number he’d never given out to another friend before, and never would again.
Will Kitty / Cat find her happily ever after with Zac? Or could a sexy billionaire from Softli steal her heart? The answer, her choice, is up to you in this Choose Your Own Romance. Choose once, then choose again. Her choices are up to you. Free on KU or keep The Bad Kitty forever on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Reckless Gamble
Aces high
Pair
Two Pair
Three of a Kind
Straight
Flush
Full House
Four of a kind
Straight flush
Royal flush
All in
Epilogue
Contact me
What to read next?
Sneak Peek: Defend Her
Sneak peek: The Bad Kitty
Reckless Gamble: a billionaire high stakes suspense romance (City Sinners Book 4) Page 32