by Box Set
She’d always scoffed at women who tried to “fix” a man, like he was some kind of project. A beat up old car that needed a restoration. She’d never realized how tempting it would be, when the man in question was Derek. But she couldn’t save him from his demons, couldn’t even get him to speak of them, despite some gentle prodding. Whatever was wrong, he’d have to save himself. It just made her ache to know that he was hurting, there didn’t seem to be any end to his suffering, and there was nothing she could do about it.
She just wished she could.
Which was a treacherous thought, and it smacked of the kind of permanence her lover shied away from. So as much as she’d come to care, as much as she’d likely continue to care after they parted ways, she’d never be able to tell him. He wouldn’t want to know.
So she pasted on a bright smile when she climbed out of her car. Other than the Nick incident at the end of the day, today had been busy enough that they’d barely spoken. He’d stopped by her booth to drop off coffee and baklava—another endearing habit he’d developed—but she’d had a line of customers, so he’d given her a wink and a wave and disappeared. He’d also brought coffee for Michelle and Larry, but the baklava was just for Katie. Just because she liked it. It was enough to make a girl’s heart melt.
Now he approached her, his every movement one of masculine grace, and tingles went down her limbs. A small smile touched his lips before he brushed a kiss over her mouth. “Hey.”
“Hi, there.” She slid her hands under his jacket, feeling the heat of his skin under his shirt. “Help me carry stuff in?”
“Of course.”
They unloaded her car and brought everything inside, setting the boxes near her worktable. She picked up a yowling Beru and petted her until she purred. Derek scratched behind the cat’s ears, and the purring revved up louder.
Derek met Katie’s gaze and gave her a regretful look. He reached out to stroke a thumb down her cheek. “I can’t stay tonight.”
Oh. Disappointment punched through her. Setting her cat down, she tried for a light tone, but she didn’t think she pulled it off because her voice cracked in the middle. “That’s a shame.”
He stepped closer and cradled her face between his palms. “It’s not that. I have a standing dinner with some of my family on Thursdays.”
“Your cousin, Trevor?” It occurred to her that she didn’t know the names of any of his other relatives. She knew he had two brothers, and that his parents were still alive, but that was about it.
Nodding, he dropped another kiss on her lips. “Among others.”
She let herself lean into him for a long moment. “Have a good evening.”
“I usually do, even though my family has a knack for driving me up the wall.”
“I think that’s a prerequisite for family members.” At least, it had been when hers had still been living, and it seemed a pretty universal state of being for familial units. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
The question sounded a little clingy, so she forced herself to step back. Tomorrow was the last day of the con. She didn’t like that she was missing a night with him, but if he felt as if she was getting too attached, he might decide to break things off early. That was the last thing she wanted.
“Yep, bright and early in the morning.” He smoothed a hand down her hair. “I know where to find you.”
“You could…come find me after your dinner.” She tried for a blasé manner, as if his answer didn’t matter to her one way or the other. “If you wanted.”
She felt his gaze on her, but she didn’t look up. He crooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “I didn’t want to presume that you’d be open to a straight up booty call.”
Yeah, because good girls didn’t do that kind of thing, did they? Well, screw that. Desperate times called for desperate measures. If she didn’t have to lose a whole night with him, then she wasn’t going to. Folding her arms, she shot him a defiant glance. “Normally, I wouldn’t, but I’m trying new things this week, remember?”
“All right, then. I’ll see you later. It could be pretty late—my family doesn’t shut up once they get started talking.”
“I’ll be here, naked, and waiting.”
He made a hungry sound at that, but she spun away and waved him toward the exit.
“Goodbye.” She walked him to her door and gave him a lingering kiss, so he remembered what he had to look forward to later.
He took a single step out the door, turned around and came back for a second helping, nipping at her lower lip before he finally left. “Bye, sweetheart.”
After she locked up behind him, she slumped against the closed door and looked around. It felt a whole lot emptier without Derek filling the space. Or maybe she was just reminded of how lonely her normal life was. She sighed, suddenly not wanting to hang out in her house by herself. She usually liked her nice, quiet condo, but tonight it felt suffocating. Like the walls were closing in on her, mocking her solitude. She picked Beru back up and draped the cat across her shoulders like a living stole. Beru bumped her head against Kati’s cheek, as if the cat could sense all was not well.
“Are you hungry, baby?” She rubbed her cat under the chin, heading for the kitchen to dump kibble into the food bowl on the floor. Beru leaped down and dug in, while Katie went to rinse and refill the water bowl. Since Beru tended to hiss if anyone petted her while she was eating, Katie left the water and went to change out of her costume. Then she wandered aimlessly around her condo, tidying things that didn’t need to be tidied. Nothing sounded interesting. She didn’t want to work on jewelry, didn’t want to watch TV or read a book. She booted up her laptop, even though she didn’t feel like messing around on the Internet. She’d expected to spend the evening with Derek, and now she felt at loose ends. He’d be back later, but she had hours and hours to kill and nothing to do that sounded anywhere near as interesting as hanging out with Derek had been. Which left her annoyed with herself and him.
“Ugh.” She went to her purse, fished out her cell phone, and called Michelle.
Michelle picked up on the first ring. “Hi, Katie!”
“Hey, do you guys want to have dinner?” Katie tried to make the question casual, but she really didn’t want have to spend the evening with only Beru for company. “I know a killer pizza place.”
Her friend snorted. “No nookie from the SEAL tonight, huh?”
“He’s got a family thing.” Katie didn’t mention that he’d be by for some nookie afterwards. Her concern right now was finding company in the meantime.
“Bummer.” Michelle’s voice became muffled as she spoke to her husband. “Honey, did you want to go out to pizza with Katie? She says she knows a great place for some pie.”
Larry’s indolent tone was unmistakable. “Sure. I’m hungry.”
Katie quickly sat down in front of her computer and pulled up a website to map the distance between the convention hotel and the pizza parlor. “Want me to pick you up, or just give you the address? It’s maybe a twenty minute drive from where you’re staying.”
“Address,” Michelle replied. “I want to take a quick shower first. We’ll meet you there in an hour?”
“Sounds good.” Katie rattled off the address and said her goodbyes before hanging up. Well, that was one problem solved.
Since she didn’t get to see Michelle and Larry as often as she’d like, this was the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. So, she checked email and social media and cuddled with Beru when the cat was done eating. She thought about putting on something fancier than unicorn-patterned leggings and a black tunic, but decided against it. Her friends wouldn’t care if she looked casual and comfortable. Plus, Michelle would appreciate the unicorns.
“All right, kitty cat, I’m off to get some dinner of my own. Be good while I’m gone.” She gave her pet a last snuggle, shut down her laptop, slid on some ballet flats, grabbed her purse, and headed out the door.
Fifteen minutes
later, she pulled into a parking space in front of Santino’s. It was a low-key Italian place with the best pizza in the greater Sacramento area. It was also family-owned, which was definitely the type of business she liked to support. Her friends’ van swung into the space next to her, and Michelle waved through the window.
They hopped out of their vehicles and headed into the restaurant. Michelle looped her arm through Katie’s. “I’m sad you get no SEAL, but glad we get you for the evening.”
Katie hunched her shoulders, guilt darting through her. “Have I neglected you this year?”
“Honey, you’ve been getting laid. Finally,” Michelle said.
“We usually have dinner a couple of times during this con. So, it’ll be one less this year.” Larry reached over and ruffled Katie’s hair. “We forgive you.”
His wife gave him an aggrieved look. “He’d forgive you if you shot him, as long as you keep showing up in all your most revealing costumes.”
“They’re good costumes.” Larry replied mildly.
Michelle laughed. “Okay, what’s good here?”
“Everything. If we don’t all want the same kind of pizza, they have individual calzones and Stromboli.” Katie waved to the list of specials posted on a chalkboard as they stepped into the short line of customers queuing up to the counter. “Plus, their daily specials are always a great deal.”
“Hey, isn’t that your SEAL?” Larry asked.
“Ex-SEAL,” Katie corrected, but then processed what he’d said and turned to look where he was pointing. Sure enough, Derek sat at one of the big corner booths with a group of people that included his cousin. Her gaze collided with his, and her jaw dropped as shock hit her.
Before she could say anything, Michelle dragged her over to his table, while Katie flushed so hard her cheeks felt like they were on fire. Oh, great. Mr. Non-Commitment was about to have his fling meet his family.
A wry smile curved his lips as they approached. “Of all the gin joints in all the world.”
“Katie! It’s so wonderful to see you again.” Trevor shot a look filled with impish delight towards his cousin, and Derek’s face went carefully blank.
“Uh…hi, Trevor.” Katie swallowed hard as every gaze focused on her. She hated being the center of attention.
“How do you know each other?” asked the woman sitting next to Derek, suspicion in her tone. She had the most gorgeous dark brown skin, with barely a wrinkle in sight, despite the fact that she was very obviously Derek’s mother. Beside her was a handsome older man with silver-laced blond hair and laser blue eyes. Well, that explained Derek’s good looks.
“Katie is a friend of Derek’s.” Trevor put a slight emphasis on the word friend, his expression turning truly wicked.
“We’re next-door neighbors.” I’m not like his other women! But Katie kept that to herself, because she’d basically volunteered to be exactly like his other women this week, hadn’t she? She shrugged, self-consciousness swamping her as a tableful of people continued to stare at her. “I, uh, didn’t know he would be here. I just like the food at Santino’s.”
“It’s my favorite.” A redheaded women smiled at Katie and her friends. She was as plump as Katie, though with a polish that she’d never pull off. The woman sat between Trevor and another man who looked enough like Derek that he had to be one of the brothers. “Hi, I’m Lorna, Derek’s soon-to-be sister-in-law.”
“Hello.” Katie wanted to turn around and run, but Michelle’s arm was clamped tight on hers. She swallowed and tried to remember anything Derek might have said about this woman. “Um. You’re the one who did the jewelry ad for Carraway Jewelers, right?”
Lorna beamed. “Yes, I am.”
Okay, there was something she could engage with. Thank God. Katie focused on the redhead and ignored everyone else giving her curious glances. “They’ve just started selling a line of my jewelry there.”
“You make jewelry? That’s fantastic. I don’t have a creative bone in my body.” She looked Katie and her friends over. “Are any of you wearing something Katie made?”
Katie tucked her hair behind one ear, exposing the two earrings she had in her lobe. One was a double spiral of silver wire and the other was shaped like a miniature shooting star. “These.”
Lorna leaned forward to look. “Wow, those are pretty.”
“And this.” Michelle stuck out her arm to show off a teal dragon-scale bracelet. “We’re so proud of Katie getting her own line at Carraway’s.”
“It’s a great company.” Lorna lifted her hand. “Ty bought my engagement ring from them.”
“Oh, it’s beautiful.” Katie bent forward to examine the ring. “I love the Art Deco style.”
“Me, too, obviously.” The redhead gave them a winsome smile. “Why don’t you and your friends join us for dinner?”
“Oh, that’s—”
“We’d love to.” Michelle finally released Katie’s arm and plopped down beside Trevor. “Hey, handsome.”
He gave her a wary look, glancing between Michelle and Larry like he was waiting for Larry to have a jealous fit. “Hi.”
Oh, God. She loved her friend, but this was one time she could have been slightly less gregarious and Katie would have been a-okay with it. Katie met Derek’s gaze, hoping he didn’t look pissed at the invasion of his family gathering. His expression remained neutral, which didn’t help her anxiety level. She mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head, one corner of his mouth lifting. “Well, if we’re eating together, we should know each other’s names.” He pointed to people in his group. “This is my cousin Trevor and my brother, Tyrone. You’ve met his fiancée, Lorna. And these are my parents, Greg and Marion.” He waved to Katie’s trio. “Katie lives next door to me, and these are her friends, Michelle and Larry. They’re all vendors at the convention I’m working for Rob this week. You know what Katie does. Her friends make custom leather goods.”
“Nice to meet you all. Have a seat,” Greg invited, while his wife looked Katie over thoroughly. It was an incisive look reminiscent of Derek’s, and Katie had the sneaking suspicious that Marion Forrester missed very little, just like her son.
“Not just yet, thanks. We still need to order.” Katie grabbed Michelle’s hand and pulled her to her feet.
Michelle winked at Trevor. “I’ll be back, gorgeous. Keep my seat warm.”
The look on Trevor’s face was like a trapped animal. “Uh…sure.”
As they got back in line, Michelle murmured, “That’s what he gets for trying to make you and Derek uncomfortable. Pretty boy will be lucky if I don’t decide to sit on his lap.”
Larry sighed. “Try not to get arrested for sexual harassment, dear.”
“Maybe we should just find our own table.” Katie knew she sounded desperate, but she didn’t care. “Derek and I are just having a temporary fling. I’m not like a girlfriend he’s bringing home to mama. I…I didn’t have time to mentally prepare myself for a family get-together.”
“From what little you’ve said, a five-day affair is as close to a girlfriend as he’s had in the time you’ve lived next door to him.” Michelle curled an arm around Katie’s shoulders. “And, honey, sometimes it’s better not to have time to psych yourself out.”
“You’re going to make me go back there, aren’t you?”
“Yep.” Not an ounce of sympathy showed on her friend’s face. “I think it’ll be good for you both. Besides, maybe you’ll extend your fling longer than this week, start a real relationship, and then you’ve already ripped off the family meeting band-aid.”
“I think you’re living in a fantasy world on that one. It’ll never happen.”
But then they were at the front of the line and it was time to place their orders, so Michelle didn’t get a chance to respond.
Since Michelle wasn’t going to be deterred, and Katie wasn’t willing to make a scene by arguing with her, she braced herself for an excruciating meal that would likely feel like it lasted an eter
nity.
She really should have just stayed home with Beru.
The moment Katie and her friends walked away, Trevor turned on Derek. “You banged your neighbor.”
Derek took a swig of his beer. “Yeah, let’s announce that a little louder.”
The warning in his tone didn’t discourage his cousin a single iota. “She’s hot. And nice.”
“Ha! That’s what’s different tonight.” Lorna poked a fingertip in his direction, sounding triumphant. “You look happier. You’ve smiled at least six times in the last hour and you laughed twice. That’s a record since you moved back to Sactown.”
There was a subject he wasn’t touching with a ten-foot pole. A sigh escaped him, and he met the gaze of each of his family members in turn, so they’d know he was serious. They’d worried about him since he’d returned home, and him having a girlfriend would please them. So, he needed them to understand the unvarnished truth before things got even more awkward when Katie came back. “It’s short-term. Don’t get excited.”
“How short-term, exactly?” His mom crossed her arms over her chest. As both a lawyer and a mother, she knew how to put the fear of God into anyone who might try to lie to her.
He met her eyes unflinchingly. “Well, you know I’m working security for Rob at the convention center this week. She’s at the convention selling her jewelry. So, this Monday through Friday is it.”
Her mouth turned down at the corners. “And she’s okay with that?”
“She’s the one who suggested it.” He did his level best not to get defensive. He knew his family didn’t approve of his sex life. Or rather, he knew that his sex life made them even more worried about him. “I don’t lie to or mislead the women I take to bed.”