by Elsa Kurt
“Excellent, bro. Alrighty, let’s cruise.”
Mitch followed Justin out to the big SUV waiting outside the bed and breakfast. Sam was already inside, his camera trained on Mitch the moment they opened the door. Beside him sat an attractive blonde with glossy lips and beauty pageant hair.
“Hi, Mitch. I’m Lacy Taylor for Hey Hollywood. I’ll be tagging along to interview you and Katharine today.”
Lacy smiled brightly at Mitch. He blinked at her, then at Sam. Sam pulled his face away from the camera and shrugged at Mitch as he mouthed ‘sorry.’
“Hey Hollywood, huh? Little far from home, aren’t you?”
“Oh, you’re so funny, Mitch,” said Lacy. No one laughed but her. She recovered quickly and pulled out her notes.
“So, Mitch. Tell me what brought you out to Connecticut.”
Mitch swallowed a sigh and launched into his well-rehearsed and oft-repeated explanation. Lacy Taylor feigned interest and took a few notes. Every time Mitch paused to take a breath, she leaned forward with another question hovering. Mitch deliberately drew out his story, knowing full well the direction she was heading.
“So, then we rounded up the crew and took the road trip out here to beautiful East Hampton, and—”
“And met Katharine Evans,” Lacy interjected.
“Ah, yes. As well as many of the wonderful local—”
“Tell me about your first meeting with Katharine. Is it true she threw a brick at you?”
“A brick? I—no, of course not. It was a soccer ball, and she was merely trying—”
“So, she did try to cause you physical harm, then? Did you two have a prior relationship? Is that why she threw a brick at you?”
“Again, it was not a brick. No, we’d never met before that day.”
“Ah, I see. So, a woman you’ve never met before assaulted you because…?”
This was getting out of hand. Lacy Taylor was trying to twist everything up and make it something it wasn’t. He didn’t know what Lacy’s angle was, but he did know he didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Listen, Lacy, sweetheart. You’ve got this all wrong. Katharine Evans is a very nice woman who merely wants to live a quiet life and write her books and be left alone. I simply want to finish our build next door and let her—let her go.”
Silence filled the car. Mitch turned abruptly in his seat and faced front. He rested his elbow on the window frame of the car door and rubbed his stubbled chin with his hand. What is wrong with me?
He bit down on his knuckle and ignored the awkward silence in the car. He knew they were all exchanging weighted glances, but Mitch didn’t care. His brain was wrapped around Katharine. Her eyes, her smile. Her frown and the faint chicken pox scar on her cheek. The smell of her honey and clementine hair. The sound of her slightly husky voice. Her little chin when it jutted at him in anger.
I’ve fallen for her. And I have to let her go. The SUV turned onto Katharine’s street. Cars and trucks lined one side, making for a precarious passage on the narrow road. A mixture of guests and gawkers, no doubt. She was probably beside herself with the stress of it all. His heart clenched at the mental image of her being alone in a sea of people. Poor Katharine. The least he could do is keep the press out.
As Sam climbed out of the SUV, Mitch grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear, “Get rid of the reporter, Sam.”
Sam looked from Mitch to Lacy—who was primping her hair in the tinted car window—then back to Mitch again. He opened his mouth, but then saw that Mitch’s face was stony. Whatever he’d been about to say died on his lips and he nodded. “You got it, buddy.
Mitch nodded curtly and strode across Katharine’s yard as if walking the plank. He noted the line of paparazzi along the street—their shouts and camera flashes—and shook his head. As bothersome as he found their intrusion, he could only imagine how she was handling it all.
***
“Wow, Katharine, you are way calmer than I expected you to be.”
Janie was right, Katharine was calm… on the outside, that is. Inside, she had a storm brewing. Mitch would be coming, and that filled her with… confusion. Nate would be there, and that filled her with joy. Then, there were all the strangers invading her space. That gave her anxiety. Thankfully, Janie had stepped up to the plate and came out swinging for Katharine. She’d hustled them through the grocery store with expert level finesse, introducing Katharine to this person and that, then managing to move them along. Katharine marveled at how she handled this without offending anyone or coming across as rude.
Back at Katharine’s, Janie had helped unload everything and even prepped all the dishes for the party. When Katharine apologized for keeping her away from her husband and kids, Janie had laughed. A lot. It was then Katharine realized maybe she was helping Janie as much as Janie was helping her. So, she let her take over and merely followed orders. Despite the minimal efforts on her part, Katharine still had butterflies.
“Calm? No. This is my quiet panic face.”
“Oh. Well, in that case, you’ll make a great mom one day. That’s literally my face all day, every day. Let’s go outside and grab a drink.”
They walked out onto the patio, then crossed the yard to the makeshift bar— a long folding table with a white tablecloth and faux grass table skirt.
Katharine chuckled. “A tiki bar, huh?”
“Yep. Borrowed it from Angelico’s. The bouncer is dating my sister,” Janie shrugged.
“Not the guy with the neck tattoo, by any chance?” Katharine asked.
“That’s the one.”
Janie winked. There was no need for Katharine to ask if Janie knew about her eventful evening there. She poured them each a tall glass of wine and clinked her glass against Katharine's.
Katharine kept glancing at her watch. “Nate should be here any minute,” she said.
In less than an hour, the first guests would be arriving. Neighbors and locals, likely. Then, Mitch and Sam, she guessed. Tori would show up fashionably late and larger than life. All Katharine had to do was hang in there. They were walking back onto the patio when a familiar voice called out from inside.
“Hello, anybody home?”
“Nate! It's my brother,” said Katharine to Janie. “Out back, Nate!”
A moment later, Nate walked out onto the deck. Katharine ran to him and tackled him in a tight hug. “Uh, Katharine? You are choking me. Geez.”
“Sorry, I’m just so happy to see my big brother. Oh, hi. Who is this?”
A young woman stood shyly in the doorway. She had long brown hair, a sweet smile, and almond shaped brown eyes like Nate.
“Katharine, this is Alyssa. My girlfriend. Alyssa, this is my sister, Katharine. That’s Katharine's friend over there. I don't know her name because Katharine hasn't introduced us.”
“Right, sorry! It's nice to meet you, Alyssa. This is my friend and neighbor, Janie.”
They all said their hellos, then Katharine tucked her arm through Nate’s and walked him into the house. Once inside, she faced him with a mischievous grin, taking in his new look. Nate had always worn his hair a little on the long side and had a penchant for classic rock band t-shirts. On this day, he wore a polo shirt and khaki pants, and his newly trimmed hair was parted on the side. Katharine even smelled cologne on him.
“Look at you, big brother. Haircut, spiffy clothes. You clean up nice, you know. Now, how come you didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend, Nate?”
“Thanks, sis. How come you didn’t tell me you had a friend, Katharine?”
“Touché, brother dear. She’s very pretty. How did you meet?”
“She is a volunteer at the charity. Guess what? She loves Journey!”
“Oh, well, then. That settles it—she’s a keeper.”
Katharine’s heart was bursting with happiness for Nate. When they were kids, Katharine overheard a teacher say to their parents that ‘they should prepare themselves for the impossibility of Nate ever having a normal life.’ Their parent
s had walked away from the conversation broken-hearted and defeated, but not Katharine. She was livid. How dare she say that? Her brother had every right and reason to live a full, happy life. Just because it wasn’t exactly like what everyone else had, didn’t mean it was no less fulfilling. In fact, Nate had accomplished more and lived more fully than any of the ‘normal’ people she’d ever met. Including me.
It really hit Katharine. It was time to start living outside her small bubble. For the first time, Katharine acknowledged yes, she wanted success. She desired her books to sell and her name to be known. Not for her own ego, but for what it could do for Nate, their charity, and his life. Hers, too. If it meant playing along with the charade of KatMitch, then she would do it. But it begged the question: was it really a charade?
Katharine had replayed the events from the past week. From the moment her eyes landed on Mitch Ford for the first time, there was an undeniable, instant attraction to him. Even when she threw things at him. Which was often. Why did she always want to throw things at him? Because he’s infuriating, that’s why. Oh, be honest. At least with yourself.
If she were to be honest with herself, she’d admit she was afraid to care. To feel. To love. More than any of that, though, she was scared to be hurt. And Mitch Ford was precisely what a heartbreak looked like. A man with his rugged, masculine good looks, baritone voice that caused her bones to vibrate, along with that natural charm of his…well, she might as well get in line. Ugh, and don’t forget the whole ‘he’s a famous television guy’ thing, too. Mitch Ford is—
“Katharine? Are you listening to me? I said, when is Mitch Ford going to be here?”
“What? Oh, uh, soon. Any time now, I guess.”
The doorbell rang, followed immediately by Tori’s voice calling out. “Hello, I’m here! Let the party begin!”
“Hey, Tori. You’re earlier than I expected! Where’s Justin?”
Tori rolled her eyes and waved her hand in the air. “He is Mitch Ford’s problem right now. I could not listen to the boy call me ‘dude’ one more time. Anyhow, we have things to go over, Miss Thang.”
“Things? What things?”
“Hang on. Hey, Nate! How’s it going?”
“Hi, Tori. I’m good. I have a girlfriend. Her name is Alyssa. She’s outside, you should come and meet her.”
“I will, right after I give your sister here a little pep talk.”
“Good luck. You know how she is.”
Katharine scoffed, “I’m standing right here, you know.”
Nate shook his head and wagged his thumb at Katharine, then went out to the backyard without a second glance.
“Can you believe him?” Katharine asked.
“Hmm. It’s you I can’t believe, Katharine Evans. How about you explain the novella length text you sent me at one o’clock in the morning? One minute you’re telling me you might be falling for Mitch. The next sentence you say you hate him. Then you want him here today, and then you don’t. You got a fever or something?”
Tori pressed her wrist against Katharine’s forehead for emphasis. Katharine gently slapped her away with a laugh.
“I’m fine. I’m—not fine. I just—I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Tori.”
“I know what’s wrong with her,” interjected Janie from the doorway, “she’s in l-o-v-e and doesn’t want to admit it.”
“Mhmm,” agreed Tori. “Honey, I saw it from the second you two started sparring in the wings of the Connecticut Today show. Hell, the whole world could see it. Why do you think this all caught fire? People love love. Especially this kind—where it’s all tense and dramatic. It’s like watching a real, live soap opera.”
“Oh, I agree,” said Janie as she poured a glass of wine for Tori. “Okay, so, Katharine, I hope you don’t mind, but I kind of took over your hostess duties. You, uh, have about a dozen or so guests out there so you might want to pop on out and say hey, okay?”
“Oh! Crap, I totally forgot. I’ll go out there now.” In the doorway, she paused. “Wait. What do I say to them?”
Janie pressed a hand to her cheek. Tori dipped her chin down and looked at Katharine from under her drawn brows. They responded in sync.
“Go say hello!”
“Right. I can do that.”
She turned and went to greet her guests, but not before sticking her tongue out at her two new friends. The first people she welcomed were Jim and his two boys. She managed to successfully make small talk and was thus encouraged to make the rounds. She was feeling rather proud of herself—laughing, chatting… people-ing like a regular person, until an excited hush fell over the yard. Murmurs and stares, all in the direction of the French doors which led out onto the patio. Taking up nearly the entire frame was none other than Mitch Ford. His eyes swept the expanse of the crowd, nodding, pointing and waving to random guests. God, does his every entrance have to look like he’s walking on stage to accept an award?
Katharine stood dead center of the yard. The couple who had been in front of her stepped aside, and Mitch’s gaze fell on Katharine. Like the Red Sea, the crowd parted, and Mitch strode casually toward Katharine. Their eyes were locked on each other, but Katharine could feel the stares from everyone around them. The whispers and twitters were barely audible over the sound of rushing air in her ears. He looked exceptionally handsome in his trademark faded jeans and a crisp, beige, button-down shirt. The top two buttons were open, exposing the hint of chest hair and suntanned skin. The only thing missing was his trademark ballcap. His salt and pepper hair was tousled boyishly. Katharine imagined running her fingers through it, smoothing the errant locks. She blinked hard at the vision, then dropped her gaze to see he clutched a bouquet of wildflowers in his big, bearpaw hand.
“Hello, Katharine.”
He said it low, softly, and her breath caught in her throat at the sound of her name coming from his lips once again. Every time, without fail. Be cool, Katharine.
“Mitch,” she nodded. “Thanks for coming.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
That they both knew was forced.
“Are those…”
“Oh, yes. Flowers. For you, the hostess.”
Mitch extended the bouquet hastily. At the same moment, Katharine stepped forward to give him a polite thank-you hug. She instead got a bunch of flowers in her face. Those around them saw, and small laughs burst across the yard. Katharine jerked back, startled and embarrassed. The whole moment was turning into a comedy sketch. An angry bee darted out from one of the daisies and zigged and zagged at Katharine’s face. She jumped back, forgetting the glass of red wine in her hand. The crimson liquid sloshed up and out of the glass… and all over Mitch’s shirt. Gasps hissed all around, but Katharine was still focused on the bee.
“For Christ’s sake, it’s just a little bee, Katharine! Calm down.”
Mitch’s arms were outstretched, a ruby bloom across his shirt, and his eyes wide full of indignation and incredulity.
“No, I will not calm down. I’m allergic, Mr. Sensitivity.”
“Mr.—I—you dumped a gallon of wine on me, and I’m insensitive? And stop jumping around, you’re going to get—”
“Ow,” Katharine cried out.
“Stung,” said Mitch.
Katharine clapped her hand over her mouth. The bee had stung her upper lip. Her eyes watered as waves of pain radiated from the sting. Another collective gasp moved through the group of bystanders.
“It thung me.”
Katharine’s tongue had already started to swell, and her throat became scratchy and tight. Her eyes went saucer wide as she looked at Mitch. His expression of annoyance turned quickly to concern, and he grabbed ahold of her arm.
“Okay, you’re going to be fine. Where’s your epinephrine pen, sweetheart?”
“Ith—”
Katharine’s eyes fluttered, and her knees buckled. Mitch swept her off the ground into his well-muscled arms. She let her head loll against his chest. The fear drifted away,
and one realization remained. It’s okay. Mitch has me. Then everything went dark.
***
This woman is going to be the end of me. Mitch charged through the house with Katharine in his arms, cognizant of the cell phone cameras trained on them. Inside the kitchen, he found Tori, Janie, a man Mitch recognized as Nate, and a woman he hadn’t yet met.
“Where does Katharine keep her epinephrine pen?”
The women looked at him blankly, but Nate sprang into action. “She should have one in her purse. I’ll look.” A few seconds later, “Nope, not in here. She knows better than that!”
“Upstairs, in her bathroom maybe,” Mitch asked.
“Yes!”
“I’ve got her, you get some ice for the swelling,” Mitch ordered.
With a wan, lethargic Katharine still in his arms, he charged up the stairs two at a time. He found her bedroom and gently set her on the bed, then raced to her bathroom medicine cabinet. Sleep aids, vitamins, bandages…
“Ah ha! Here it is.” Mitch uncapped the pen and knelt on the floor beside Katharine. Luckily, she was wearing shorts, and they’d be spared any later embarrassment.
“Katharine, sweetheart. You’re going to be fine in one,” he gave her the shot, “minute.”
Still kneeling beside her, Mitch smoothed her hair from her face. Her eyes were closed, her bee-stung lip puffy and red.
“You look like Sleeping Beauty,” he said.
“Yeah, well, she acts like Grumpy,” called a voice from behind him.
It was Tori, followed by Nate, Janie and the woman he didn’t know.
“Here’s the ice, Mitch,” said Nate.
“Is she going to be okay,” asked Janie.
“Yes, I think she’s going to be fine. Does anyone, by any chance, have an extra shirt I could borrow?”
“In the wardrobe, spare bedroom. Nate, you know where.” It was Katharine, her voice husky and low.
“Hey, you,” Mitch smiled down at her, “you gave us quite a scare.”
“Yeah, Katharine, I didn’t even know you were allergic to bees,” said Tori.
Tori’s tone was accusing, and even a bit hurt. It was like no one really knew Katharine at all. It made Mitch feel sad for her. Why was she so cut off from the world? He needed to know more about her, and he was determined to find out. But right then, he needed these people to do damage control downstairs.