between him and the new couple, closing the door on what might have been. Timing was everything these days, and he’d just run out of luck.
Why had he hidden behind his fear for so long? Or more importantly, why had he not seen what was right in front of him? Kate was the woman for him. The one who would make him feel whole and worthy. The woman who made him feel like his best self.
Slowly he trudged up the stairs to his room. Time to focus on more important things. He’d have to find a way to recover.
Chapter Twenty-Two
John was nice; there was no doubt in her mind why Dakota had set Kate up with him. He was smart and self-motivated too. The only hang-up? He was too much like Kate. He came from a single-parent home, and though his father was still alive, they didn’t see each other much.
John put all his effort into his career which left little time for anything else. Where was the fun?
The smile she’d glued to her face faltered as John started another story about how his clinic had expanded recently. Her eyes darted to the house. AJ had vacated before she climbed out of the car and he hadn’t made another appearance. It was probably for the best because she’d have been absolutely mortified if he’d come stomping off that porch to tell John he’d been three minutes late and he needed to vacate the premises due to trespassing.
“…what do you think, Kate?”
She jumped and stared wide-eyed at John. “Hmm?”
“The rumors about the new seedstock out at Brook Meadows—do you think there’s any weight to it?”
Kate blinked and her brows furrowed. “What rumors?”
John grinned. “They’re saying he’s cut from the same cloth as that award-winning steer…”
She remembered that steer. The one that went for twice as much as the others. His pedigree had been traced for decades. Kate lifted her eyes to meet John’s. “I’m sorry to cut you short, but it’s been a long day.” She motioned to the crutches. “My feet—and arms—are killing me.”
He patted her upper arm. “Of course, how selfish of me. I should have known better than to keep you this late. I’m sure your boss isn’t too thrilled either.”
Not likely.
He pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. Kate’s arms squeezed next to the crutches and she winced.
John released her. “Can I call you next week? What’s your schedule like?” When he stepped back a bit, he stared into her eyes. “I’d really like to see you again.”
The chemistry she’d felt with AJ had been absent all night. John had been a lovely companion and any other time, she might have been interested in seeing more of him too. But there was a surly, albeit jealous, man in the house behind her that pulled all her attention despite her insistence to forget him. No, she wouldn’t fall back into AJ’s trap.
Kate nodded. “I’d like that.” What could another date hurt anyway? It wasn’t like she was tied down to anyone at the moment.
John lifted her chin with his knuckle. He searched her eyes for just a moment before brushing a gentle kiss across her lips. A bit of warmth spread through her midsection but it didn’t hold a candle to the fireworks from AJ’s kiss earlier. She needed to stop comparing John to AJ.
He cupped her cheek with his hand and trailed his thumb along her cheek. “I’m looking forward to it.”
She forced a smile and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear as he put more distance between them and climbed into his car. John waved at her once before pulling the car around the drive and heading out toward the main road.
Kate stared after the red taillights. John wasn’t the type of guy to light a fire under her, but he was a safe bet. He was stable, secure, and he knew where his priorities lay. She glanced at the house. AJ, on the other hand, was all over the place and yet she felt drawn to him now more than ever.
Using her key, she unlocked the door and pushed it open. She dropped her purse inside and leaned against the door jamb.
Pressing a palm to her forehead, she fought the urge to call John immediately. She ought to tell him she was sorry but she had zero intention of moving forward with him—not when AJ had made himself available.
The other part of her sent out a warning. She