past ten years.
Casey continued. “I’ve spent many hours wanting something better for my brother-in-law than what he has. He loves his work and I know how rewarding it is for him, but I also think it’s a double-edged sword. Part of me thinks he loves it so much because it saves him from realizing he’s alone.”
That made me look up at her again. She thought Ethan used work as a vice. This surprised me.
Casey sighed. “Ethan has a track record of failed relationships and he hasn’t dated anyone in over two years. I really shouldn’t be telling you any of this, but the point is he’s a good guy and there’s more to him than what you see at work. Just consider that as you think things over and decide what you’re going to say to him on Monday. That’s all.”
Casey got to her feet.
I reached for her hand and clasped it in mine. “Thank you.”
She smiled. “I can’t stay long. I have a doctor’s appointment to get to. With any luck, they’ll tell me this little sucker is ready to come out any day now. It was nice chatting with you, Kathryn. This can stay between us if you like, but Ethan wouldn’t be upset if he found out we talked about this. Like I said, he’s—”
“A good guy.”
“Exactly.”
Casey slipped away and left me sitting at my table, reeling. I wasn’t sure if my conversation with her had given me more clarity or made my decision even more confusing. Regardless, I felt better for it.
I also felt a hint of jealousy over her relationship with Ethan. They were such a close and loving family. The closest thing I had to that were the foster parents I’d spent the end of my time in the system with. I still saw them once a month or every three weeks or so for dinner, but we’d had to reschedule the last few times because of work.
Before I left the cafe I pulled my phone out of my purse and decided to call them and see if I could come over for dinner the weekend after the gala. My foster mother answered the call with joy in her voice and it made me smile. When I asked if I could come over, she offered to make my favorite meal, teriyaki chicken and rice, and told me they were looking forward to it.
For once, so was I.
Chapter 24
Ethan
When Monday morning inevitably rolled around, I took Casey’s advice and went into the office early. I arrived so early in fact that I was the first one there by over an hour. Not a single person started rolling in until nine o’clock, and of those not-so-early birds, Kathryn was nowhere to be seen.
So I waited.
And worked.
And waited.
As time passed, I found it increasingly difficult to stay focused on a task for more than fifteen minutes at a time. I was woefully distracted by the enemy I’d bedded, and part of me wondered why I was so anxious about her arrival.
Was I worried she would reject me, tell me this was nothing but a one-off mistake? Would things go back to how they’d been where we poked fun at each other and competed for partner?
Or would she tell me she was sorry for running out on me?
I hoped for the latter but couldn’t deny that the former sounded ten times more likely. Kathryn Rouche’s priority was the job, not me, and I couldn’t hold it against her if that was the path she chose. If I had to, I could settle back into the way things had been, and in time, I’d be able to chase away the feeling of need that had existed in my gut ever since I woke up in an empty bed on Saturday morning. In time, I’d forget about how she’d kissed me, how she’d wrapped her bare leg around mine and held herself up as I pinned her against the window and pressed my fingers deep inside her. I’d forget the way she moaned and how her breath felt against the side of my neck.
I looked up when a knock sounded at my door.
There, dressed in head to toe black, was Kathryn.
She wore her usual red lipstick and sky-high black pumps. She looked more uncertain than usual as she glanced over her shoulder before stepping into the office. “Can we talk?”
“Yes.” I hoped the word didn’t sound too eager.
Kathryn closed the door behind her, and while her back was turned, I