by E. L. Todd
“I hate your guts so I don’t understand why you’re telling me this.”
“Because I’m hoping you’ll be willing to help me…”
Jett and I exchanged a look then we both started laughing.
“Good one,” Jett said.
“I haven’t heard such a good joke in a long time,” I said as I dabbed at the moisture that pooled in my eyes.
Joey looked at the ground and his shoulders sagged. “Look, I love her and you love her. Please help me. I may not have been a good friend to her lately but I was before this. She misses me even if she won’t admit it.”
“I really don’t think she does, man.”
“Please.” He pleaded with his eyes. “Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to come to you and ask for help?”
“It’s pretty pathetic,” Jett said.
“But I don’t care about my pride because I want Katarina’s friendship back.”
“How do I know this isn’t a ploy?” I asked. “Some plan to get her closer to you instead of me or some bullshit?”
“I guess you don’t,” he said. “But you really think Katarina would even look at me that way? It’s pretty clear she’s in love with you, just like she used to be with Ethan. I’m never going to come between that. I’m not a threat to you.”
“But you went out of your way to dig dirt on me.”
“And look where that got me,” he said sadly. “Katarina won’t even see me anymore.”
There was no reason to pity him, but for some reason, I did. This guy was in love with the same woman I was in love with, but he couldn’t have her. What would I have done if Katarina hadn’t given me the time of day? If I loved her with everything I had but she refused to even glance my way? But that wasn’t the only reason I pitied him. Losing a friend was hard, and even though I never saw the good times between them, Katarina did defend him at one point. So she did care about him. “I’ll only do it under one condition.”
His eyes lit up like the Fourth of July. “Anything.”
“You never, ever pull this again. If you do, my boys and me will take you to a shipping dock and beat you to an inch of your life. Then we’ll throw you in the harbor and watch you drown. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes…but does that still apply if you break up?”
My eyes narrowed on his face.
“Of course it does…yes, I understand.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he said quickly. “I miss my friend.”
***
I entered Katarina’s office first. “Male gigolo at your service.” I walked inside, striding like I owned the room and everything in it. A cocky smile was on my face. “What are you into?”
She looked at me with that smile I loved. “A foot massage would be great.”
“As in, you would massage my dick with your feet?”
She chucked her pen at me and laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“So…is that a yes?” I asked as I caught the pen.
“No.” She ignored her paperwork and looked at me. “What are you doing here? I don’t take lunch for at least another two hours.”
“My dick missed you.”
She gave me an incredulous look. “Your dick just saw me an hour ago.”
“Yeah…he’s a bit clingy.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Babe, I have a lot of things to do today. I don’t really have time to banter back and forth with you. It can wait until I get off work.”
“Milkshake, we both know I don’t wait for anything.” I winked at her.
She grabbed another pen and threw it at me.
I caught it like last time. “Actually, there’s something important I want to talk about.”
That got her attention. “Okay. Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, everything is fine.” I sat at the edge of her desk and looked down at her.
“So…?” She was eager to get through this conversation.
“Joey came by my apartment after you left.”
Confusion set into her face first then anger followed quickly behind it. “What? Why?”
“He told me he’s sorry for the way he acted and he really wants to be your friend again—a real friend.”
She shook her head vigorously. “Friends don’t blackmail each other.”
“But he didn’t tell anyone about me. And he’s had weeks to do it.”
She gave me a look full of fury. “Are you on his side? Last time I checked, you hated him.”
“I do—I did. But he seems genuinely sorry.”
“You don’t strike me as a forgiving person.”
“I’m not,” I agreed. “But I remember the way you used to defend him. When I went to that diner to watch him, you were really upset. It was clear you really cared about him like family.”
“Well, that was then. This is now.” She leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs.
“He said he’s sorry and wants your friendship back. He’ll never try to get something more. He finally accepts you’ll never be his.”
She stared at a painting on her wall.
“He’s outside if you want to talk to him face-to-face.”
“He’s here?” she hissed.
“He’s practically family to you. Let’s just get through this and move on. If he pulls anything again, I’ll break all his limbs. I promise.”
“That trust will never be there again.”
“He understands that,” I said. “He just wants your friendship. Listen to his apology and we’ll go from there.”
“I really don’t understand why you’re sticking your neck out for him.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and released a deep sigh. “This is about you, not me. My hatred toward him is irrelevant. And you already lost one family member. I don’t want you to lose another if he’s really sorry.”
She turned back to me with new eyes. The fury seemed to evaporate and now it was replaced by consideration.
Only I could pull that off. “You’ll see him?”
She nodded. “I guess.”
“Great.” I leaned down and kissed her forehead before I opened her office door. “She’ll see you now.”
Joey jumped out of his chair then straightened his tie. He looked terrified, far more scared than when I showed up at that diner with my guys. He adjusted his tie again even though it was perfectly straight.
“Stop acting like a girl.” I pushed him inside the office.
Joey walked inside and stopped when he spotted Katarina behind her desk. Then he took a deep breath before he sat in the chair facing her. He swallowed the lump in his throat and I could visibly see it.
I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms over my chest.
Joey eyed me, like he was surprised I was staying.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I said darkly. “I may be giving you another chance but that doesn’t mean I trust you.”
Joey looked away and didn’t make an argument.
“Proceed.” I crossed my ankles.
Katarina stared at Joey blankly, not willing to speak first.
Joey fidgeted with his hands before he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for my behavior. It was unacceptable and wrong. When I blackmailed you…it was terrible. But I never went through with it. I hope that counts for something.”
“Not really,” she said.
Joey flinched noticeably; taking the hit like it was physical. “This doesn’t justify what I did, but…I’m just crazy in love with you. Ethan came around and swept you off your feet. Then when Cato made an appearance, I didn’t want to lose you a second time. I was desperate. I realize now how wrong that was. I’d really like to be your friend, and only your friend, if you can find the strength to forgive me for what I’ve done.” He looked at her with apologetic eyes, pleading to her.
Katarina grabbed a pen from her desk and spun it in her fingers. She held her silence, like she was thinking deeply. “And what if I had gave in to you
r demands? What if I had stopped seeing Cato and started dating you because I was forced to? You would have gone through with it without looking back. The only reason why you’re apologizing and settling for my friendship is because you lost.”
“No,” he said weakly. “I wouldn’t have done that. Seeing the sadness in your face every time you looked at me would have quickly changed my mind. I wanted you to be happy with me. If that wasn’t possible, I wouldn’t have forced it.”
“I’d like to believe you but there’s no way to really know.” She continued to spin the pen in her fingers.
“I guess…” He shrugged. “I’m not asking you to trust me or treat me the way you used to. I understand our friendship will be different from this point onward. I’m okay with that. I just want to start over. In time, I’ll convince you that you can trust me. I want you to be happy with whomever you love. Even if you and Cato broke up, I wouldn’t pursue you—never again.”
That seemed to catch Katarina’s notice. “Really?”
“Truly,” he said. “I intend to move on and see other women. I’m sure there’s the perfect girl out there for me. But I’m not going to find her if I’m constantly pursuing a woman who’s unavailable.”
Katarina turned to me and gauged my reaction.
I nodded slightly.
Then she turned back to Joey. “Okay…I will tolerate you. For now. If I think you’re being honest, then our friendship will grow. That’s all I can give you.”
He released a deep sigh. “I’ll take it. Thank you.” His shoulders relaxed and his breathing returned to normal. “If you aren’t doing anything for lunch, you want to grab something to eat?” He quickly turned to me. “Cato as well.”
“Sure,” I said before Katarina could speak. “Sounds like a good idea.”
***
When Katarina came home from work, she kicked off her heels and threw her purse on the table. Then she gave me a hard kiss like she did every day. “Missed you.”
“Really? I just saw you a few hours ago.”
“Well, I did.” Her arms were around my neck and she looked up at me with adoration.
“Well, why wouldn’t you miss me? Come on, look at me.”
She rolled her eyes but her smile didn’t fall. “You’re so full of yourself it’s unbelievable.”
“I’m just confident.”
“No, you’re cocky.”
“But you like me that way, right?”
She held me closer. “I love you that way.”
“That’s what I thought.” I pulled away and grabbed her hand. “Follow me. I want to show you something.”
“Ooh…what is it?”
“You’ll see.” We walked into the bedroom then I faced her against the wall where a white vanity sat. It had a small stool and a jewelry box sat on top. The mirror was vintage, made in the 1920’s. On the surface was the picture of us skydiving. I snatched it from her apartment last time I was there.
“What’s this?” She sat in the stool and felt the surface. She opened all the drawers then looked at herself in the mirror. “It’s gorgeous, Cato. Where did you find it?”
“I made it,” I said. “Except the mirror.”
She gave me a surprised look. “You made this?”
“I used to work construction when I was younger. I know a few things.” I loved seeing the excited look on her face. She clearly loved it.
“It’s beautiful. I love it.” She touched the jewelry box then turned back to me. “It was very thoughtful of you.”
I kneeled beside her and looked into her face. “Move in with me.”
Surprise came over her face. “What…?”
“Move in with me. This is your first piece of furniture.” I patted the surface while I stared at her.
“Cato…”
“I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. I want to see you every day when I come home. I want to sleep with you every night. I want us to be together all the time. When I’m not with you, I miss you. Now say yes.”
Her eyes watered and a smile overcame her face.
“I would ask you to marry me instead if I wasn’t afraid it was too soon for you.”
Her eyes watered more. “You want to get married?”
“What do you think?” I asked seriously. “I’ve been chasing you down like animal control with a butterfly net. You’re the one, baby.”
She cupped my face and kissed me. “I do want to get married.”
I looked into her eyes and saw her sincerity. “You do?”
She nodded.
“It’s not too soon?”
“No. Time is irrelevant. I married Ethan after two months and I have no regrets.”
“I thought you might say that.” I opened the drawer to her jewelry box. Inside sat a platinum ring with a large two-carrot diamond in the center.
She covered her mouth and gasped when she saw it.
“Marry me.”
She continued to stare at the ring in shock.
I grabbed it then slipped it on her left hand. “Perfect fit.”
She looked down at it as the tears started to pour. “Yes.”
“I didn’t ask, baby.” I smiled at her. “I just told you to marry me.”
She chuckled even though her face was red and wet. “Then I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“No. You never had a choice.”
Katarina
We stood outside the door together. I held a green bean casserole and Cato had his arm around my waist. I didn’t knock. Instead, I looked down at the dish I prepared and hoped everyone would like it.
“Don’t be nervous,” he said. “There’s no reason to be nervous.”
“Well, I’ve never done this before…”
“They wouldn’t have invited us if they didn’t want us around—especially me.”
“Yeah…” I knew he was right.
Cato waited for me to knock on the door. When I didn’t, he did it himself. “Showtime.”
My heart beat like a drum.
Cindy opened the door with wide eyes and excitement. “You’re here.” She hugged me hard while she moved around the dish in my hands. “So excited to see you, dear.”
“I made a casserole,” I blurted, feeling awkward.
“That was very thoughtful of you. Thank you.” She took the dish then turned to Cato. “Wow, this is him?”
“Yeah,” I said nervously.
“You have excellent taste in men, honey.” Cindy pulled Cato in for a hug. “It’s wonderful to meet you. Please come in and make yourself at home.”
“Thank you,” he said as he returned the embrace. “I’m Cato.”
“Oh, I know who you are.” She smiled as she pulled away. “I’m Cindy.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Cato said.
Cindy spotted my left hand. “Oh my! I’m blind!”
I smiled then held up my hand. “Cato did a good job.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said as she examined it. “And I’m so happy for you.” She gave me a look that showed her sincerity. “So very happy for you.”
Cato shot me a look that said, “Told you so.”
“Come in,” Cindy said as she escorted us inside. “Jim is eager to see you. He’s been talking about you all day.”
We entered the house then moved into the dining area.
“There she is!” Jim gave me a smile I’d known for years then hugged me tightly, almost with too much force. “Pretty like always.”
“Thanks, Jim. It’s nice to see you.” I turned to Cato. “Let me introduce my…fiancé.” I wasn’t used to saying that word.
Cato extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
Jim ignored his hand and hugged him instead. “The pleasure is all mine, boy.” He clapped his shoulder and stepped back. “Welcome to the family.”
“It’s been a very warm welcome,” Cato said politely.
Gabe came next and introduced himself. “Dang, I was hoping Katarina would end
up with me. But I’m a graceful loser.” He fist-bumped Cato.
“You can’t win them all, right?” Cato said playfully.
“Dinner is ready,” Cindy called from the table.
“Make sure you eat everything,” I said to Cato. “If not, Cindy will shove it down your throat.”
Cato chuckled. “Thanks for the warning.”
We gathered around the table and began to eat.
I thought it would be weird to bring a new man to Ethan’s parents house. They’d always been family to me, even during the years when Ethan was gone. They treated me like their daughter the moment I crossed over the threshold. And they treated me the same now. The happiness on their faces was obvious. They were glad I was happy and no longer mournful.
Cato didn’t seem uncomfortable. He got along with everyone well, and made Gabe laugh several times. Cindy kept complimenting my ring and asking about our wedding plans. We hadn’t talked about anything because we were enjoying being engaged for the moment.
When we finished eating, Cindy suddenly turned serious. “We’re so happy you found someone to share your life with. And we all know Ethan is happy too.”
Their blessing meant a lot to me. I loved their son with my whole heart when he was alive. But five years had come and gone, and living in constant mourning wasn’t really living. Cato broke down my walls and taught me how to love again. And now I was happier than I’d been in a really long time. Knowing I had the support of everyone around me, including Ethan, was what I needed more.
Cato turned to me with a smile on his face.
“And we’ll have lots of babies,” I said. “Just like Ethan wanted.”
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